Sam Darnold leads game-winning drive in OT and Vikings beat Bears 30-27 after blowing late lead

CHICAGO, IL – Sam Darnold had anticipated that the Vikings would recover the Bears’ onside kick late in regulation, allowing him to kneel out the clock and secure the win. However, things took a more dramatic turn, though Darnold was happy with the outcome in the end.

Darnold threw for 90 of his 330 total yards in overtime, setting up Parker Romo’s 29-yard field goal that sealed a 30-27 victory for Minnesota. The win came after the Vikings allowed 11 points in the final 22 seconds of regulation. Darnold tossed two touchdown passes during the game, while Jordan Addison caught eight passes for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown. T.J. Hockenson added 114 yards receiving for the Vikings (9-2), who stayed one game behind Detroit in the competitive NFC North race.

On the other side, Caleb Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns for the Bears (4-7), who have now lost five straight games, with three of those losses coming on the final play. Under coach Matt Eberflus, Chicago has a dismal 5-18 record in one-possession games and a 14-31 record overall in his 2.5 seasons at the helm.

The Vikings seemed to have control of the game, leading 27-16 with just 1:56 remaining after Romo’s 26-yard field goal. But the Bears weren’t done yet. DeAndre Carter, who had earlier muffed a punt leading to a Vikings touchdown, redeemed himself with a 55-yard kickoff return to the 40-yard line. Williams took over from there, completing an eight-play drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen. A successful 2-point conversion to DJ Moore made it 27-24 with 22 seconds left.

The Bears recovered the onside kick, and Williams quickly found Moore for a 27-yard gain to the Minnesota 30-yard line, setting up Cairo Santos for a 48-yard field goal attempt as time expired. Santos connected to tie the game at 27, sending it into overtime.

The Bears won the coin toss, but Jonathan Greenard sacked Williams for a 12-yard loss on second down, stalling Chicago’s drive. After a three-and-out, Minnesota took over at the 21-yard line. Darnold then led a 10-play drive, overcoming a sack by Montez Sweat on the first play and two penalties. Darnold found Hockenson for a 29-yard completion that put the ball on the 9-yard line. He then took a knee, and Romo’s game-winning field goal sealed the victory.

Darnold also surpassed his previous career-high of 19 touchdown passes, throwing a 2-yard touchdown to Addison in the second quarter and later adding a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor. Darnold completed 22 of 34 passes in the game.

Aaron Jones ran for 106 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings, while Williams posted a solid 32-of-47 performance, with a passer rating of 103.1. Moore caught seven passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Allen added 86 yards and the late score for the Bears.