If you love NFL football, then the Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings rivalry is one you already know well. These two NFC North teams have a long history of tough, exciting games. Their 2025 season matchups were no different. In this article, we will break down what happened in both games, look at the key player stats, and help you understand who really played better on the field.
Whether you are a die-hard fan or just getting into football, this article is written in simple language so everyone can enjoy it.
A Quick Look at the 2025 Season Series
The Bears and Vikings played each other twice in the 2025 NFL regular season. Here is a quick summary:
- Game 1 (September 9, 2025): Minnesota Vikings 27, Chicago Bears 24
- Game 2 (November 16, 2025): Chicago Bears 19, Minnesota Vikings 17
The series was tied 1-1. Each team won one game at home. Both games were very close, and both came down to the final minutes. That tells you a lot about how equal these two teams are.
Game 1: Vikings Win a Close One
The first game of the season was played on September 9, 2025. The Vikings won 27-24. It was a tight game from start to finish, and the Vikings managed to hold on for the win.
The Bears played well but could not quite close the gap. Chicago had chances to win but made a few mistakes that cost them. The Vikings, on the other hand, were sharp when it mattered most.
Game 2: Bears Win with a Last-Second Field Goal
The second game, played on November 16, 2025, was even more exciting. The Bears came to Minnesota and won 19-17. The winning points came from a 48-yard field goal by kicker Cairo Santos with only 4 seconds left on the clock.
This was a dramatic ending. The Vikings had just taken the lead with 56 seconds left, but the Bears drove down the field quickly and set up the game-winning kick. It was one of the best finishes of the entire NFL season.
Breaking Down the Stats: Game 2 in Detail
Let’s look at the numbers from the second game, which was the most exciting of the two.
Team Stats Comparison
| Stat | Chicago Bears | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 19 | 17 |
| Total Yards | 320 | 265 |
| Rushing Yards | 140 | 115 |
| Passing Yards | 193 | 150 |
| Time of Possession | 36:59 | 23:01 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| First Downs | 19 | 15 |
| Penalties | 6 (40 yards) | 2 (15 yards) |
| Sacks Allowed | 2 | 0 |
The Bears controlled the ball for almost 37 minutes. That is a big difference. They also had zero turnovers while the Vikings gave the ball away twice. Those turnovers hurt Minnesota a lot.
Chicago Bears Key Player Stats
Cairo Santos (Kicker)
Cairo Santos was the hero of this game. He made 4 out of 5 field goals, including a long 54-yarder in the third quarter and the game-winning 48-yarder at the end. Without Santos, the Bears would have lost. His longest successful kick was 54 yards, which is impressive for any kicker in the NFL.
Caleb Williams (Quarterback)
Caleb Williams, the Bears’ young quarterback, completed 16 of 32 passes for 193 yards. He did not throw a touchdown pass in this game, but he also did not throw any interceptions. For a team that relied mostly on the run, Williams did his job and kept the offense moving. His passer rating was 68.9, which is average but good enough to win.
Running Backs (Team Rushing)
The Bears ran the ball 39 times for 140 yards. That is a strong rushing performance. Keontay Monangai scored the team’s only rushing touchdown, a 1-yard run in the second quarter. The Bears clearly wanted to control the clock and wear down the Vikings’ defense, and that plan worked.
Bears Defense
The defense had a great game. Chicago’s defenders picked off Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy twice. They also recorded 5 quarterback hits and forced 1 fumble. The Bears’ defense held Minnesota to just 265 total yards, which helped secure the win.
Minnesota Vikings Key Player Stats
J.J. McCarthy (Quarterback)
J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings’ young QB, completed 16 of 32 passes for 150 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Those two turnovers were costly. His passer rating was 47.7, which is below average. He also threw 9 poor passes in the game. However, his late touchdown pass to Jordan Addison almost won the game for Minnesota.
Jordan Addison (Wide Receiver)
Addison caught the go-ahead touchdown pass with less than a minute left to play. His 15-yard catch gave the Vikings a 17-16 lead. For a moment, it looked like Minnesota would win. But Santos’ last-second field goal ended those hopes.
Jordan Mason (Running Back)
Mason scored a 16-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was the longest touchdown run of the game and helped the Vikings cut the Bears’ lead. He was Minnesota’s best player on the ground that day.
Wil Reichard (Kicker)
Reichard made his only field goal attempt, a 31-yard kick in the first quarter. He also made both extra points. But he never got a chance at a game-winning kick like Santos did.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
| Quarter | Bears | Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Quarter | 0 | 3 |
| 2nd Quarter | 10 | 0 |
| 3rd Quarter | 6 | 0 |
| 4th Quarter | 3 | 14 |
| Final | 19 | 17 |
The Bears started slowly but took control in the second and third quarters. The Vikings came back strong in the fourth quarter with 14 points. But Chicago’s defense and Santos’ clutch kicking sealed the win.
Scoring Plays: How the Game Unfolded
Here is a simple list of how the scoring happened in Game 2:
- Q1: Wil Reichard 31-yard field goal (Vikings 3, Bears 0)
- Q2: Keontay Monangai 1-yard rushing TD + extra point (Bears 7, Vikings 3)
- Q2: Cairo Santos 38-yard field goal (Bears 10, Vikings 3)
- Q3: Cairo Santos 54-yard field goal (Bears 13, Vikings 3)
- Q3: Cairo Santos 33-yard field goal (Bears 16, Vikings 3)
- Q4: Jordan Mason 16-yard rushing TD + extra point (Bears 16, Vikings 10)
- Q4: Jordan Addison 15-yard receiving TD + extra point (Vikings 17, Bears 16)
- Q4: Cairo Santos 48-yard field goal (Bears 19, Vikings 17) FINAL
Who Played Better Overall?
Looking at both games together, it is a close call. The Vikings won Game 1 and the Bears won Game 2. But if we look at the stats from both games, there are some things we can say clearly.
The Bears were better at:
- Taking care of the ball (fewer turnovers)
- Running the football
- Controlling time of possession
- Clutch kicking
The Vikings were better at:
- Making fewer penalties
- Getting pressure on the quarterback
- Late-game scoring drives
The Bears had the better overall season record, finishing strong enough to make it to the playoffs. The Vikings also had a solid year. But in terms of these two matchups, Chicago edged out the series with their last-second win.
What Made These Games Special
One big reason these games were so exciting is how competitive the NFC North division is. The Bears, Vikings, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit Lions all push each other hard. Every game in this division feels important.
Another reason is the young talent on both rosters. Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy are both young quarterbacks who are still growing. Their development over the next few seasons will decide which team becomes the leader of the division.
Also, field goals decided both games in close moments. Santos was the difference-maker in Game 2, and the Vikings’ defense was the key in Game 1. Small details like kicking and turnovers often decide tight games like these.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings series gave fans two games that were full of excitement. Both teams showed heart, skill, and competitive spirit. The Bears came out on top in the second matchup thanks to smart ball control, zero turnovers, and the clutch boot of Cairo Santos.
For football fans, this rivalry is always worth watching. The players are talented, the games are close, and you never know what will happen until the final second. If you enjoy tight, competitive NFL football, Bears vs Vikings is always a great game to follow.
10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings game in November 2025? The Chicago Bears won 19-17. Kicker Cairo Santos hit a 48-yard field goal with only 4 seconds left to win the game.
2. Who kicked the game-winning field goal for the Bears? Cairo Santos kicked the game-winning 48-yard field goal. He was 4 for 5 on field goals in that game.
3. How did the Vikings lose the game after taking the lead late? Jordan Addison caught a touchdown pass to put the Vikings up 17-16 with under a minute left. But the Bears drove quickly down the field and Santos made the field goal to win.
4. Who were the top players for the Chicago Bears in Game 2? Cairo Santos was the hero with 4 field goals. Keontay Monangai scored the only Bears rushing touchdown. Caleb Williams managed the game well with 0 interceptions.
5. Who were the top players for the Minnesota Vikings in Game 2? Jordan Addison caught the go-ahead touchdown pass. Jordan Mason scored a big rushing touchdown. J.J. McCarthy threw for 150 yards and 1 touchdown.
6. How many turnovers did each team have in Game 2? The Bears had 0 turnovers. The Vikings had 2 turnovers, both interceptions thrown by J.J. McCarthy.
7. How long did the Bears control the ball in Game 2? The Bears had the ball for about 37 minutes out of 60. That is a big advantage and helped them control the game.
8. What was the result of the first Bears vs Vikings game in 2025? The Vikings won the first game 27-24 on September 9, 2025.
9. Who won the season series between the Bears and Vikings in 2025? Each team won one game, so the season series ended in a 1-1 tie.
10. Are the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings in the same division? Yes, both teams play in the NFC North division along with the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions.
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