Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson lead Vikings past Bears

[October 10, 2022] Kirk Cousins set a franchise record with 17 straight completions to start Sunday's game and scored the winning touchdown in the Minnesota Vikings' 29-22 victory over the Chicago Bears in Minneapolis.

Cousins snuck over the goal line from a yard out with 2:27 remaining to enable Minnesota to improve to 4-1 and take sole possession of first place in the NFC North.

Cousins finished 32 of 41 for 296 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Justin Jefferson caught a career-high 12 passes for 154 yards.

Cameron Dantzler secured the win for the Vikings by recovering a fumble from Ihmir Smith-Marsette at their 39-yard-line with 1:01 left.

Justin Fields completed 15 of 21 passes for 208 yards with a touchdown for Chicago, which fell to 2-3.

Minnesota controlled most of the first half behind an offense that rolled to touchdowns on its first three possessions.

The Vikings drove 86 yards on the game's opening march, Cousins hitting all seven passes for 68 yards. Dalvin Cook finished the drive with a 1-yard run at the 8:15 mark.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

After Cairo Santos converted a 50-yard field goal on Chicago's first possession, Minnesota made it 14-3 on the first play of the second quarter on a 5-yard run by Cook.

The margin grew to 21-3 with 7:20 left in the half when Cousins flipped a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Reagor. However, the Bears finally found the end zone with 1:08 left in the first half on a 9-yard scoring jaunt by David Montgomery.

--Field Level Media

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