Week 3 Game Recap: Chicago Bears 19, Minnesota Vikings 16

What you need to know

Chicago Bears

Rex Grossman threw two interceptions including one returned by Viking Antoine Winfield for a touchdown, but redeemed himself with a 24 yard strike to Rashied Davis to give the Bears their third consecutive divisional victory. Grossman was far less efficient than his first two games throwing two ugly picks while completing 23 of 41 attempts for 278 yards.

While Lovie Smith had promised more of a running game prior to the contest, the Bear rushing attack was limited to 18 carries for 54 yards by Thomas Jones. Jones’ longest carry of the afternoon went for 17 yards. Jones did add another 11 yards on three catches. Against an aggressive Vikings’ defense, Jones struggled finding openings, forcing the Bears to put the ball in the air more than Coach Smith might like. Wide receivers Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad were targeted a combined 25 times with Muhammad catching nine balls for 118 yards and Berrian catching six for 70 yards. Tight end Desmond Clark was injured early in the third quarter with what appeared to be a foot sprain and finished with two catches for 31 yards. Rashied Davis caught three of the five balls thrown his way including the game winning 24 yard strike from Grossman.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings led most of the way behind a strong defense and the safe play of Brad Johnson who finished 21 of 31 for 194 yards. Chester Taylor carried the rushing load again for the Vikings against a stingy Bear defense. Taylor carried the ball 20 times for 74 yards and caught three passes for 15 yards he did have another 13 yard grab called back on a Vikings’ penalty. Chester Taylor was stripped of the ball and fumbled on an outstanding play by Adewale Ogunleye that led to the Bears’ game winning touchdown.

Travis Taylor led the Vikings’ receiving corps with six catches for 36 yards while Troy Williamson caught four of the ten balls thrown his way for 39 yards. Marcus Robinson was inactive for the contest.

What you ought to know

QB Rex Grossman, Pass: 23 - 41 - 278 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 3 - -3 - 0

Grossman started out strongly in the first quarter looking sharp on the team’s opening drive that culminated in a 41 yard field goal by Robbie Gould. He struggled as the Vikings’ defense increased the pressure on the young quarterback and threw two interceptions including one deep in his own territory that was returned for a touchdown by Antoine Winfield. Grossman was able to redeem himself down the stretch as he hit Rashied Davis with a 24 yard touchdown strike to put the Bears on top.

RB Thomas Jones, Rush: 18 - 54 - 0, Rec: 3 - 11 - 0 (5 targets)

Jones garnered all the carries on the game with 18 for 54 yards against an attacking Vikings’ defense. Jones also had three catches for 11 yards.

RB Cedric Benson

Benson did not have a carry in the game.

WR Muhsin Muhammad, Rec: 9 - 118 - 0 (13 targets)

Muhammad led the Bears’ receivers with nine catches for 18 yards including a number of chain moving receptions. While he has yet to find the end zone, he is quarterback Rex Grossman’s primary read on clutch third down plays.

WR Bernard Berrian, Rec: 6 - 70 - 0 (12 targets)

Berrian seems to be the perfect compliment to Muhsin Muhammad and the two combined to have 25 balls thrown their way. While Minnesota was able to keep Berrian out of the end zone, the receiver was able to pull down six balls for 70 yards.

WR Rashied Davis, Rec: 3 - 48 - 1 (5 targets)

Davis played in three wide sets and caught three of the five balls thrown his way including the game winning 24 yard strike from Rex Grossman.

TE Desmond Clark, Rec: 2 - 31 - 0 (4 targets)

Clark caught two balls for 31 yards but limped to the trainer’s cart in the third quarter with what appeared to be a foot sprain. Clark left earlier in the drive but returned a play later only to pull up lame in the end zone while running a pattern deep in Vikings’ territory.

PK Robbie Gould 4 - 4 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 13 points

Gould remains perfect on the season kicking four field goals on the afternoon including a career long 49 yard shot in the fourth quarter.

CHI Rush Defense

The Bears’ rush defense allowed four yards per carry to the Vikings with Brian Urlacher leading the team with ten combined tackles.

CHI Pass Defense

The Bears’ defense held Brad Johnson to 194 yards passing and zero touchdowns. While they did not register an interception on the afternoon, Tommie Harris did record a sack and Adewale Ogunleye’s strip of Chester Taylor in the fourth quarter paved the way to the team’s third divisional victory.

QB Brad Johnson, Pass: 21 - 31 - 194 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0

Johnson finished the day completing 21 of 31 passes for 193 yards. The Vikings’ offense was victimized by a number of penalties negating plays for the offense. Johnson was his normal efficient self and didn’t do anything outstanding, nor did he do anything to hurt the team.

RB Chester Taylor, Rush: 20 - 74 - 0, Rec: 3 - 15 - 0 (3 targets)

Taylor got the bulk of the carries for the Vikings and gained 74 yards on 20 carries including a 24 yard burst. Taylor also caught three passes for another 15 yards and had a 13 yard grab called back on a Vikings’ penalty. Taylor’s fumble in the fourth quarter proved to be very costly as the Bears drove the field for the game winning touchdown.

RB Mewelde Moore, Rush: 3 - 23 - 0, Rec: 3 - 18 - 0 (4 targets)

Moore played on many of the team’s third down plays and recorded three catches for 18 yards. He carried the ball three times for 23 yards including a strong run in the fourth quarter breaking four Bears’ tackles to gain a hard fought first down.

RB Tony Richardson, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets)

Richardson had one reception for seven yards.

WR Travis Taylor, Rec: 6 - 82 - 0 (8 targets)

Taylor started opposite Troy Williamson and led the Vikings with six catches for 82 yards.

WR Troy Williamson, Rec: 4 - 39 - 0 (10 targets)

Williamson was Brad Johnson’s favorite target, but caught only four of the ten balls thrown in his direction. The second year receiver did have a 36 yard reception called back when he was penalized for offensive pass interfere

WR Billy McMullen, Rec: 2 - 21 - 0 (2 targets)

McMullen caught both balls thrown his way contributing 21 yards to the Vikings’ offense.

TE Jermaine Wiggins, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (1 targets)

Wiggins caught one ball for nine yards

PK Ryan Longwell 3 - 3 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 10 points

Longwell was perfect on the day hitting three field goals and his only extra point attempt. His longest field goal was 41 yards.

MIN Rush Defense

The Vikings’ rush defense held the Bears to 2.4 yards a carry while Antoine Winfield led the team with ten tackles.

MIN Pass Defense

The Vikings’ pass defense held the Bears out of the end zone until late in the fourth quarter. Their blitzes of Rex Grossman forced the quarterback into a couple of costly interceptions including Antoine Winfield’s seven yard return for a touchdown. Dwight Smith had the Vikings other interception. Defensive end Darrion Scott had the team’s only sack.