Chicago Bears on the rise and fall after beating Minnesota

The Chicago Bears got an ugly win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Hey, winning is winning.

Despite the defense (we will get to them shortly) forcing four turnovers, the offense could only muster 12 points.

At least the Chicago Bears finally snapped a 12-game NFC North division losing streak. The team finally won a division game under head coach Matt Eberflus.

Here is who is on the rise after the club’s fourth victory of the season…

The Defense

The D was outstanding. The unit continues to get better each week.

There are a lot of calls for Eberflus to lose his job, but he deserves a lot of credit for turning this group around.

Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs threw four interceptions.

Minnesota went 2-9 on third down.  The Bears’ defense gave up only 242 total yards and held the Vikings to 73 yards rushing.

The unit has seven interceptions in the last two games but the offense has struggled to capitalize on them.

If you want specific players that stood out, then here is the list…

• Jaylon Johnson: He had an interception and almost had another pick-six but dropped the ball.
• Terrell Smith: The rookie corner was pressed into the lineup after fellow rookie Tyrique Stevenson missed the game with an injury. He was targeted a lot and held his own.
• Gervon Dexter Sr.: The rookie defensive tackle was disruptive and explosive off the snap.
• Montez Sweat: He lived up to the big contract he was given with 1.5 sacks.
• Tremaine Edmunds: He was flying all over the field.
• T.J. Edwards: He matched Edmunds in intensity and got a pick.
• Jaquan Brisker: Registered half a sack and an interception.
• Kyler Gordon: Only made one costly mistake and had a pick.

Cairo Santos

The kicker shook off missing his first field goal attempt of the game to make four more.

He booted a 55-yard field goal. Santos then came through in the clutch when he put a game-winning 30-yard field goal through the uprights with 10 seconds left in the game.

Justin Fields

He passed the test when it came to leading the team to a come-from-behind victory. Down 10-9 with 2:29 left, Fields marched the offense down the field to set up the winning field goal.

He connected with D.J. Moore on a beautiful 36-yard pass to set the stage for Santos to win the game.