Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears: Second quarter recap and third quarter discussion

We’re at the half at Soldier Field, and the Minnesota Vikings have done next-to-nothing offensively, as they trail the Chicago Bears by a score of 10-0.

The Vikings got a stop against Chase Daniel and the Bears to start the quarter. Daniel is in the game at quarterback because Mitchell Trubisky was injured on the Bears’ opening series and has already been ruled OUT for the remainder of today’s contest. After a penalty on the punt return, the Vikings started deep in their own territory at the 5-yard line.

The Vikings’ next possession appeared to have been stopped, but Bears’ safety Eddie Jackson was flagged for a personal foul to allow the Vikings to keep possession. Minnesota then pushed the ball into Chicago territory, and Kirk Cousins hit Stefon Diggs on a nice slant pass that was knocked away by Prince Amukamara and originally ruled an incomplete pass. The Bears threw the challenge flag, and after review it was ruled that Diggs caught it and fumbled it. There was a clear recovery by the Bears, and they took over at their own 20.

Chicago once again pushed into Minnesota territory, including converting a 4th-and-3 in Minnesota territory just before the two-minute warning. Daniel attempted to run for a first down on 3rd-and-3 from the 10, but Danielle Hunter chased him down short of the mark. The Bears brought on Eddy Pineiro to attempt a 26-yard field goal, and he split the uprights to give the home team a 10-0 lead going into the locker room.

The Vikings have had just two possessions thus far, one of which ended with a punt and the other with the Diggs fumble. Kirk Cousins has completed 7-of-10 passes so far, but he’s gained just 49 yards. Stefon Diggs leads the receivers with two grabs for 17 yards, but also had the costly fumble. Dalvin Cook has a 13-yard reception, and Alexander Mattison has an 8-yard catch. C.J. Ham has two catches for six yards, and Irv Smith Jr. has a five-yard reception.

Speaking of Cook, he hasn’t gotten it going on the ground yet, as he has just 15 yards on his eight carries thus far. Mattison has a pair of carries for five yards.

It’s been a pretty ugly first half for the Vikings so far, but they’ll get the football first to start the third quarter, trailing the Chicago Bears by a score of 10-0 at Soldier Field. Come join us for the third quarter!