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Khalil Mack was Khalil Mack. But there was a lot more to it than that.
Akiem Hicks was Akiem Hicks. Eddie Jackson was Eddie Jackson. Leonard Floyd was Leonard Floyd. Roquan Smith was Roquan Smith. And Danny Trevathan was Danny Trevathan. And so on.
While Mack was the catalyst with a huge lead early, the Bears' defense dominated until the fourth quarter in the 25-20 victory over the Vikings. They kept the Vikings at 139 yards on 39 games by taking a 22-6 lead before the Vikings rallied for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
"We knew it would be difficult and we had that in mind," Jackson said. "We had good training preparation this week and it was visible in the game. We went out quickly, but we have to continue working in the fourth quarter. "
Jackson made the decisive blow early in the fourth quarter, intercepting a pass from Kirk Cousins in front of Laquon Treadwell and returning it to 27 yards for a touchdown. With a two-point conversion pass from Mitch Trubisky to Adam Shaheen, the Bears took a 22-6 lead with 8:30 to play in the fourth quarter.
"It was a good read," Jackson said. "They were trying to make big games, and [that] was one of their great games. So I just read the eyes of the quarterback. "
It was the fifth touchdown of the Bears defense this season.
"It was a huge game," said Bears coach Matt Nagy. "We fought and scratched a bit in attack, and there was not much rhythm. For that he plays this game, he broke it a bit. It was huge.
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"That's what our guys do. They play games. They play fast. These are great instincts. They read and react. And then, when they have the opportunity to play a piece, they make a play. Good product."
Hicks, who had five tackles for defeat, set the tone with a huge save on running back Latavius Murray in third and a goal to force the Vikings to beat the ball early in the game.
But the Bears defense was his best when the Vikings threatened the most. While the Vikings were on the 14-yard line and the Bears were leading 3-0 in the first quarter, Mack stopped running back Dalvin Cook for a one-yard loss. threat.
"He played a play. That's what he's been doing since arriving there, "Cook said. "He just ran his hand over there. It was a gift for him.
While the Vikings reached the 32 Bears at the end of the second quarter, Adrian Amos intercepted a capricious pass from Cousins on apparent miscommunication to protect a 14-0 lead.
And after the second interception of Anthony Harris, the Mackenzie returned Cousins for a loss of nine yards. The Vikings finally won on a 36-yard strike from Dan Bailey to take the lead to 14-3 after three quarters.
After Tarik Cohen's fumbles lost the Vikings' possession to the 29 Bears early in the fourth quarter, Hicks sacked Cousins in the third and second inning for an eight-yard loss that forced the Vikings to settle for the first time. 'investment.
"They played well all year. Of course, they had our number tonight, "said Adam Thielen, receiver of the Vikings, who played seven receptions for 66 yards. "It's a good defense, but we often hurt ourselves."
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