EAGAN, Minn. — Caleb Williams exited the field after being pursued relentlessly by Minnesota’s Jonathan Greenard, clearly exhausted and frustrated. After taking a substantial hit from Jihad Ward just before a fourth-quarter incompletion, Williams collapsed onto the bench with his head leaning back, seeking respite from what appeared to be a combination of weariness, discomfort, and irritation.
The Minnesota Vikings displayed a significant impact on the young quarterback, contributing to his struggles throughout the match. “We maintained our discipline, but it felt like there was an explosive energy, with players aggressively rushing off the edges,” remarked coach Kevin O’Connell following an impressive 30-12 win over the Bears. “When we get that momentum, it feels unrelenting.”
Despite achieving only two sacks throughout the game, Williams was constantly pushed back by the Viking defense. The rookie quarterback managed to demonstrate his elite athletic ability to escape pressure at times but frequently began scrambling earlier than necessary, causing several of his passes to go awry. He completed just three throws longer than 15 yards, all coming in the second half when his team was already trailing by significant margins. Overall, Williams went 18 for 31, amassing 191 yards and one touchdown, resulting in a passer rating of 86.9—his lowest in the past six weeks. While he remained interception-free, extending his streak to eight games and 286 passes—the NFL record for a rookie—the Vikings produced a standout defensive effort that led them to a seventh consecutive victory, improving their record to 12-2 and tying them with Detroit for the top spot in the NFC North. Greenard’s early game sack resulted in a critical turnover that set up the Vikings’ first touchdown, while Dallas Turner’s fourth-quarter sack forced a favorable punt as well.
In a recent match in Chicago, Williams had showcased an impressive performance, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns, contributing to Minnesota’s narrow 30-27 overtime win. “We reviewed our previous game footage and saw him performing like a magician, so today it was crucial for us to prevent him from doing that,” said safety Cam Bynum. “He still managed to evade our rush a few times and caused some challenges on our end, but we were effectively pursuing him.”
On the upside, both Aaron Jones and Cam Akers contributed to the Vikings’ offensive effort, scoring rushing touchdowns and marking the first instance this season where the team secured two rushing touchdowns in a game. The Vikings successfully turned 27.6% of their rushing plays into first downs, which ranks as their third-highest conversion rate this season.
However, there were aspects that could use improvement. Sam Darnold experienced some pressure despite being sacked only twice on a season-high 42 dropbacks, resulting in a low average of yards per pass attempt at 5.78.
Among the standout performers, Turner is increasingly establishing himself, gaining more regular playing time despite a packed lineup filled with strong edge rushers such as Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. He tallied his first sack since the season opener, showcasing his speed against Bears right tackle Darnell Wright. “You could see a mix of traits: speed, burst, and flexibility,” O’Connell added.
On a less favorable note, left tackle Cam Robinson, who has filled in commendably for Christian Darrisaw’s injury, faced penalties during the game, including three false starts and one illegal formation.
Injury-wise, right tackle Brian O’Neill participated in 63 of the 77 offensive snaps, bouncing back from a knee issue sustained in the first quarter when an opposing defensive lineman rolled onto his leg. While unable to conclude fully against the Bears, scans revealed no major injuries—only some soreness—and his availability for the upcoming game against Seattle remains uncertain. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who missed the last two games due to a hamstring issue, is expected to return, while backups Fabian Moreau and Jalen Redmond are undergoing evaluations for their respective injuries.
A crucial statistic is that the Vikings rank tied for second in the league concerning takeaways, accumulating 20 interceptions and recovering eight fumbles. Impressively, they have managed to force turnovers in all 14 games this season, marking their longest streak since 1992.
Looking forward, the Vikings face a challenging matchup against the Seahawks, who have dealt the team five consecutive losses at Seattle’s Lumen Field since they last won there in 2006. The Vikings are transitioning from three home games to a typically difficult environment filled with intense crowd noise. The Seahawks, currently 8-6, recently experienced a halt to their four-game winning streak at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. After battling the Seahawks, the Vikings will return home to face the Packers and then travel to Detroit, which could potentially act as a deciding factor for the division title. A perfect finish would elevate them to the No. 1 seed in the NFC, granting a first-round bye. However, a single loss risk could shift them to the No. 5 seed, complicating their postseason journey.