When the Chicago Bears visited Minneapolis on November 16, 2025, the resulting 19–17 victory for the visitors served as a definitive showcase of the division’s shift toward defensive dominance. Rather than offensive fireworks, the game was decided by Chicago’s superior execution in the final minutes and a steadfast defense. This critical win moved the Bears to 7–3, officially placing them in the driver’s seat of the NFC North.

While the quarterback duel between Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy took center stage, the game was ultimately decided by the Bears’ NFL-leading turnover margin and a special teams unit that delivered in the clutch. Below is the definitive statistical breakdown and narrative of this Week 11 clash.

Quick Game Facts

Category	Match Detail
Final Score	Chicago Bears 19, Minnesota Vikings 17
Date	November 16, 2025
Location	U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Attendance	66,952 (Sellout)
The Narrative	Bears move to 7–3; Vikings fall to 4–6 after a missed defensive stand in the final seconds.
Key Milestone	Cairo Santos surpassed Robbie Gould for the most 50+ yard field goals in Bears history.

Top Individual Performers

The game featured a sharp contrast in philosophies: Chicago utilized a heavy ground game and safe passing to minimize risks, while Minnesota relied on high-volume targets to Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson to move the chains.

Category	Player (CHI)	Stats	Player (MIN)	Stats
Passing	Caleb Williams	193 YDS, 0 TD, 0 INT	J.J. McCarthy	150 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing	D’Andre Swift	21 ATT, 90 YDS	Aaron Jones	16 ATT, 70 YDS
Receiving	Cole Kmet	5 REC, 45 YDS	Justin Jefferson	5 REC, 61 YDS
Defense	Kevin Byard	8 TKL, 1 INT	Blake Cashman	15 TKL, 1 TFL
Special Teams	Cairo Santos	4/5 FG (GW 48-YD)	Will Reichard	1/1 FG (31-YD)

Scoring Summary

The scoring was a tale of momentum shifts. Minnesota struck first, but Chicago built a steady lead through the middle quarters before a frantic Vikings comeback in the final two minutes set up a historic finish.

Quarter	Time	Team	Play Description	Score (CHI-MIN)
1st	02:13	MIN	Will Reichard 31-yard Field Goal	0–3
2nd	04:57	CHI	Kyle Monangai 1-yard TD Run (15 plays, 74 yards)	7–3
2nd	02:04	CHI	Cairo Santos 38-yard Field Goal	10–3
3rd	10:36	CHI	Cairo Santos 54-yard Field Goal	13–3
3rd	02:15	CHI	Cairo Santos 33-yard Field Goal	16–3
4th	12:38	MIN	Jordan Mason 16-yard TD Run	16–10
4th	00:56	MIN	J. Addison 15-yard TD catch from J.J. McCarthy	16–17
4th	00:04	CHI	Cairo Santos 48-yard Field Goal (Game Winner)	19–17

Quarterback Comparison: The Battle of Development

This game served as a benchmark for two young franchise quarterbacks. Caleb Williams played a “clean” game, focusing on managing the clock and avoiding the catastrophic mistakes that Brian Flores’ defense usually baits rookies into.

Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams

Williams’ stat line doesn’t scream dominance, but his ability to lead a 40-yard drive in just 44 seconds at the end of the game was the signature moment of his season.

Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy

McCarthy struggled with a wrap on his throwing hand and early-game accuracy issues, throwing two critical interceptions in the second quarter. However, his fourth-quarter composure showed the resilience Minnesota fans have come to expect.

Defensive & Team Metrics

Chicago’s defensive unit is currently the “Gold Standard” for takeaways in 2025. By forcing two interceptions and zero turnovers themselves, they controlled the game’s margin.

Statistic	Chicago Bears	Minnesota Vikings
Total Net Yards	320	265
Rushing Yards	140	115
Passing Yards	180	150
Turnover Margin	+2	-2
Time of Possession	36:59	23:01
Sacks Recorded	1.0 (Montez Sweat)	2.0 (A. Van Ginkel)

Special Teams: The Hidden Factor

In a two-point game, the “Third Phase” was the difference. Devin Duvernay’s 56-yard kickoff return after the Vikings took a late lead gave the Bears the field position they needed to steal the game back.

Cairo Santos: 4-for-5 on field goals, including the game-winning 48-yarder.
Tory Taylor: 6 punts with an average of 48.5 yards, pinning Minnesota deep repeatedly.
Devin Duvernay: 102 total return yards, including the momentum-shifting 56-yarder.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How did the Bears win with zero passing touchdowns?

Efficiency and field position. The Bears utilized a ball-control offense that won the Time of Possession battle by nearly 14 minutes. They relied on a heavy ground game and the leg of Cairo Santos to chip away at the scoreboard.

Why was J.J. McCarthy’s passer rating so low?

McCarthy faced heavy pressure from the Bears’ front four and threw two interceptions into tight coverage in the red zone. These turnovers negated two potential scoring drives that could have changed the game’s outcome.

Is Cairo Santos the best kicker in Bears history?

Statistically, he is making a strong case. With his 54-yard field goal in this game, he officially surpassed Robbie Gould for the most 50+ yard field goals in franchise history, cementing his status as one of the most reliable “clutch” kickers in the NFL.

What was the “Turning Point” of the game?

The turning point was Devin Duvernay’s kickoff return with 50 seconds remaining. After Minnesota had just taken a 17–16 lead, Duvernay’s 56-yard burst immediately put Chicago in field goal range, silencing the home crowd and allowing the Bears to run the clock down for the win.

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Conclusion

The Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings match player stats reveal a game won on the margins. Chicago’s ability to protect the football (0 turnovers) and exploit Minnesota’s mistakes (2 interceptions) allowed them to overcome a lackluster red-zone performance. For the Vikings, the loss is a reminder that in the NFC North, talent alone cannot overcome a -2 turnover ratio. As the 2025 season heads toward the playoffs, the Bears’ “bend but don’t break” identity has them looking like a formidable contender.