In their final game of the 2022 season, the Minnesota Vikings utilized their entire roster to get a win on the road over the Chicago Bears.
After a disappointing loss to the Green Bay Packers last week, the Minnesota Vikings used their regular-season finale on Sunday to get back on track before the playoffs begin next week, as they cruised to a 29-13 win over the Chicago Bears.
The Vikings began the game with most of their top players on the field, including quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Justin Jefferson, outside linebacker Danielle Hunter, and cornerback Patrick Peterson. By the second half, however, Minnesota let most of their top guys rest up before their first game of the playoffs takes place next week.
Cousins was only on the field for two quarters, but he still managed to throw for 225 yards and one touchdown during his limited snaps. K.J. Osborn led Minnesota in receiving with five catches for 117 yards, and Alexander Mattison was the Vikings’ top rusher during the contest with 54 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Minnesota Vikings defense gets the job done in Week 18 win over the Chicago Bears
Going up against the worst scoring offense in the NFL this season, Minnesota’s defense had an opportunity to build some much-needed confidence on Sunday, and they did just that.
Chicago only managed to score 13 points in the contest, which is the second-fewest points the Vikings have allowed in a single game this season. The Bears also finished with just 259 total yards on Sunday, which is the fewest Minnesota has given up in a matchup throughout the entire 2022 campaign.
In addition, the Vikings’ defense held Chicago to just 2-of-9 on third down, and both Patrick Peterson and Duke Shelley were able to come down with an interception. For Shelley, his pick was a bit more meaningful since it came against his former team that selected him in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
With Sunday’s victory, Minnesota will end the 2022 regular season with a 13-4 record. Believe it or not, the Vikings, in their first year under O’Connell, are just the third team in the history of the franchise to win at least 13 games in a season, with the previous two instances coming in 2017 and 1998.