The Minnesota Vikings had a lot to play for, and they put their foot to the floor and never let up after a strong first half. Brian Flores had Caleb Williams in pieces mentally from the pressure and coverage they were giving him. On offense, Kevin O’Connell and Wes Phillips used a trial-and-error approach before finding some footing.
Either way, you look, the tone was set in the first quarter, and the Vikings never looked back as the Bears had no chance.
The Bears were held scoreless in the first half, and in the second half, they could never find the endzone. The Vikings played for a lot on Monday Night, and they delivered for everyone from Randy Moss to their fans.
Here are five takeaways from the one-sided meeting between the Vikings and Bears on Monday night.
Brian Flores was playing with his food
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 19: Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Tennessee Titans in the second half during a preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Titans defeated the Vikings 24-16. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Brian Flores saw what the Bears and Caleb Williams gave him in their first matchup, and he must have said to himself, “That is not happening again.” He shut out the Bears offense in the first half and smothered them in pressures all game. He also dominated them on third down and was able to force turnovers to leave Caleb Williams and this offense feeling lost from the first whistle. Flores is in his bag right now, and the Vikings will be lucky to keep him on staff in 2025.
The offensive line, not the quarterback, is the key to the Vikings offense
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; The line of scrimmage between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
When Brian O’Neill left the game, we saw the pressure immediately come from the Bears’ front seven. The team cannot overcome an injured Brian O’Neill this late in the season, so it is paramount that if he does miss time, they figure something out. Whether it be they line up Johnny Mundt or Nick Muse on that edge to help David Quessenberry out or give Sam Darnold more safety valves. Either way, this offensive line has proven to be more important than the quarterback because without one you can’t have the…
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