THE Chicago Bear suffered a 30-12 defeat against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, which marked its eighth straight loss since a 4-2 start. Interim head coach Thomas Brown is now 0-2 since taking over for fired Matt Eberflus.
This game was different from the previous meeting against Minnesota just three weeks ago, which turned out to be a shootout that required overtime to settle. The Bears’ offense stalled twice in the red zone — including a disastrous goal-line sequence that was the worst of the NFL season — and didn’t score a touchdown until the fourth quarter. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was once again battered and bruised behind a poor offensive line and the offense looked like its early season identity. Meanwhile, the defense was able to put pressure on Sam Darnold, including two sacks, but the Vikings’ offense was too difficult to slow down.
There were many remarkable performances, good and bad, in this loss. We take a look at the studs and misses from the Bears’ loss to Minnesota:
Stallion: DE DeMarcus Walker
DeMarcus Walker was a monster along the Bears defensive line, helping put pressure on Sam Darnold, who had a disappointing night. Walker, who had a tackle for loss as well as four quarterback hits, moved into Chicago’s backfield, where he pressured the QB three times in the first half alone. He was one of Ryan Poles’ best signings.
Failure: LT Kiran Amegadjie
It was as bad a first start for rookie tackle Kiran Amegadjie as one could imagine. Amegadjie, who started at left tackle in place of the injured Braxton Jones, struggled to protect Caleb Williams’ blind side. He allowed several pressures, including a strip-sack, where Williams didn’t even have a chance. Amegadjie also committed four penalties. It’s clear he’s not ready to start, but injuries and lack of depth have caught up with Chicago.
Stallion: CB Kyler Gordon
The Bears defense has regressed this season – due to injuries and that losing streak – but third-year cornerback Kyler Gordon continues to be a bright spot. Gordon, who had five tackles and a QB hit, continues to showcase his physicality and ability as an ascending cornerback in the NFL. He is also one of the players who continues to play hard on defense despite the circumstances, and he is becoming a leader on this team.
Miss: OL Doug Kramer
Just because Shane Waldron is gone doesn’t mean the Doug Kramer experiment is dead. But after this match, that might be the case. With the Bears positioned on the one-yard line, Kramer trotted to serve as fullback and help D’Andre Swift find the end zone. This isn’t the first time this team has hosted the game, and yet Kramer didn’t know he was eligible. Swift’s touchdown was overturned, and what followed was an embarrassing sequence that ended with a Chicago field goal rather than a touchdown.
Stallion: LB TJ Edwards
The Bears defense had some key veterans up to the task, and while linebacker TJ Edwards wasn’t perfect, he brought physicality to this prime-time matchup. Edwards is still one of Chicago’s defenders who is still playing hard despite going through this eight-game losing streak. Edwards led the team with eight tackles, including two tackles for loss, a sack and a QB hit.
Missed: HC/OC Thomas Brown
One thing has become clear over the past two weeks: Thomas Brown will not be the Bears’ head coach in 2025. Since Brown took over two weeks ago, Chicago has been outscored 68-25 in losses against the San Francisco 49ers and the Vikings. . The offense, which showed signs of life when he took over, has regressed and Caleb Williams continues to take a beating behind this makeshift offensive line. Brown’s play call on fourth-and-1 — both misses by D’Andre Swift running up the middle — highlight his regression.
This article was originally published on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Vikings: Studs and misses from another embarrassing loss
