Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears Match Player Stats On Sep 15, 2013

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 15, 2013

Bears 31, Vikings 30: Jay Cutler found tight end Martellus Bennett for a go-ahead 16-yard touchdown with 16 seconds left and threw for 290 yards and three scores as Chicago stunned visiting Minnesota.

Cutler completed 28-of-39 passes - including 7-of-10 on the decisive drive - for the Bears, who pushed its home winning streak over the NFC North-rival Vikings to six games. Matt Forte piled up 161 yards from scrimmage (90 rushing, 71 receiving) and Bennett caught a pair of touchdown passes for Chicago (2-0).

Adrian Peterson rushed for 100 yards on 26 carries and lost a fumble for Minnesota (0-2), which settled for field goals on two fourth-quarter drives deep into Bears territory. Christian Ponder was 16-of-30 for 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception as the Vikings dropped their second straight divisional contest to open the season.

Minnesota stayed in the game in the first half on the strength of defense and special teams, as rookie Cordarrelle Patterson returned the opening kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown and defensive end Brian Robison scooped up Cutler’s fumble before rumbling 61 yards to knot it at 14-14. The Bears defense stepped up for its own score on Tim Jennings’ 44-yard interception return but settled for a 24-21 lead at the break.

Chicago had a fumble recovery deep in its own territory reversed by replay late in the third quarter and Blair Walsh booted the tying 28-yard field goal for the Vikings on the next play. Minnesota failed to find the end zone on its next two drives in the red zone, settling for field goals and a 30-24 edge with 3:15 to play.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Bears S Major Wright left the field in the second quarter and was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room. The four-year veteran was cleared and returned to the game. … Patterson’s return marked the first time Chicago yielded a TD on a kickoff return since Sept. 30, 2007 at Detroit. The 105 yards tied Minnesota’s franchise record, set by Percy Harvin last season. Bears returner Devin Hester responded with a 76-yard return on the ensuing kickoff, setting up Chicago’s first touchdown. … Chicago WR Brandon Marshall caught seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown to lead all receivers.