The Vikings continue to show they’re one of the best teams in the NFL, running their record to 9-2 today with a hard-fought road win in their division.
Minnesota’s 30-27 overtime win in Chicago allowed the Vikings to remain just one game behind the first-place Lions in the very competitive NFC North race.
It wasn’t easy. The Vikings appeared to have the game in hand for most of the second half, but they gave up a late touchdown to the Bears, then botched the recovery of an onside kick, touching the ball when it probably wouldn’t have gone 10 yards anyway, setting up a Bears game-tying field goal as time expired on the fourth quarter.
In overtime, the Bears won the toss but went three-and-out, and that’s when the Vikings methodically marched down the field to set up John Parker Romo’s game-winning field goal.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was efficient, throwing for 330 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, and remains one of the most pleasant surprises of this NFL season. Darnold did suffer a leg injury and limped off in the fourth quarter, but backup quarterback Nick Mullens came in for two plays and converted a third-and-13 before Darnold was cleared to return.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has continued to improve under new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, and had his best game today, finishing with 340 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. But it wasn’t enough on a day when the Bears didn’t get much out of their running game and had some costly special teams miscues, including a muffed punt and a blocked field goal.
The loss drops the Bears to 4-7 and deep into last place in the NFC North. They’re not a terrible team, but they may not be playing well enough to save head coach Matt Eberflus’s job. The Vikings, however, are one of the best teams in the league — even if they’re unlucky that the best team in the league is in their division, and in Detroit.
During Sunday’s Vikings-Bears game in Chicago, Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira explained during a coach’s challenge that in-stadium boundary cameras can’t be used for coaches’ challenges, because not every stadium has them. However, the boundary cameras can be used for automatic reviews.
Per the NFL, teams were informed in late September that the boundary cameras are being deployed on a rolling basis. For that reason, the Competition Committee has advised the league to limit the use of the cameras to automatic booth reviews until the clubs have had a chance to experience the technology and how to best make the angles available to the teams during games.
The boundary cameras are 12 league-owned cameras that are being introduced into each stadium, with the goal of capturing end lines, goal lines, and sidelines.
These new cameras became operational for automatic reviews as of Week 5. However, they won’t be used for coaches’ challenges or replay assist in 2024.
Automatic review is available on scoring plays, turnovers, in the final two minutes of each half, and in overtime.
So, basically, there are camera angles that can be used for some reviews but not others, because the boundary cameras aren’t available in all stadiums. The equity angle would make sense, if (and only if) there wasn’t a gross disparity of camera angles based on whether a game is played at 1:00 p.m. ET or in prime-time.
The goal should be to get it right, no matter what. If an angle provides the definitive look for a play that has been challenged, why not use it?
The Bears’ last-second field goal was blocked in last week’s loss to the Packers. And their first field goal attempt was blocked today against the Vikings.
This time the block came on a field goal that would have given the Bears a 10-7 lead in the second quarter. Instead it set the Vikings up in good field position, and they marched down the field for a touchdown to take a 14-7 lead over the Bears.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus appeared to be complaining to the officials after the blocked field goal, just as he did last week when he said the Packers illegally lined up opposite the Bears’ long snapper. The league office told Eberflus he was wrong.
It hasn’t been all bad for the Bears. Jonathan Owens, who got his first start of the season at safety, is playing very well. He stripped Vikings running back Aaron Jones of the ball to end the first Vikings drive, and has been flying around the field on defense.
But the Bears are going to need more from their offense. And from their special teams.
Every week we bring you all the inactives from the 1 p.m. ET games in one post, constantly updated with the latest information.
The Cowboys will be without both of their starting guards in Washington on Sunday.
Left guard Tyler Smith was ruled out when the team handed in its list of inactive players 90 minutes before Sunday’s game against the Commanders kicked off. Smith missed two practices this week with ankle and knee injuries before returning for a limited practice on Friday
Right guard Zack Martin was downgraded to out on Saturday. He has ankle and shoulder injuries. T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman will likely get the start at guards for Dallas.
Cowboys at Commanders
Cowboys: G Zack Martin, G Tyler Smith, CB Trevon Diggs, CB Caelen Carson, RB Deuce Vaughn, TE Jake Ferguson, DE Tyrus Wheat
Commanders: CB Emmanuel Forbes, QB Jeff Driskel, CB Marshon Lattimore, LB Dominique Hampton, G Chris Paul
Buccaneers at Giants
Buccaneers: T Tristan Wirfs, DB Tykee Smith, CB Tyrek Funderburk, LB Jose Ramirez, TE Devin Culp, DL Earnest Brown
Giants: S Anthony Johnson, CB Tre Hawkins III, G Jake Kubas, DL Jordon Riley, QB Tim Boyle
Chiefs at Panthers
Chiefs: OL C.J. Hanson, DT Marlon Tuipulotu, T Ethan Driskell, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, DE Cameron Thomas
Panthers: WR Jalen Coker, S Jammie Robinson, CB Shemar Bartholomew, LB Thomas Incoom, LB DJ Johnson, OL Jarrett Kingston, DT Jaden Crumedy
Patriots at Dolphins
Patriots: QB Joe Milton, WR K.J. Osborn, DT Jaquelin Roy, G Tyrese Robinson, DE Deatrich Wise, LB Titus Leo
Dolphins: RB Jeff Wilson, CB Ethan Bonner, CB Kendall Fuller, LB Mohamed Kamara, OL Andrew Meyer, TE Jack Stoll, WR Dee Eskridge
Titans at Texans
Titans: RB Tyjae Spears, CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, OL Leroy Watson, TE David Martin-Robinson
Texans: DT Foley Fatukasi, T Blake Fisher, LB Jamal Hill, DE Jerry Hughes, CB Jeff Okudah, WR Steven Sims
Lions at Colts
Lions: CB Terrion Arnold, G Kayode Awosika, DT Brodric Martin, T Giovanni Manu, OL Colby Sorsdal, LB Al-Quadin Muhammed
Colts: QB Sam Ehlinger, WR Anthony Gould, S Darren Hall, DE Isaiah Land, TE Will Mallory, T Bernhard Raimann
Vikings at Bears
Vikings: TE Josh Oliver, CB Dwight McGlothern, DL Levi Drake Rodriguez, OL Dan Feeney, OL Walter Rouse, QB Brett Rypien
Bears: WR Tyler Scott, S Elijah Hicks, DB Ameer Speed, OL Ryan Bates, T Kiran Amegadjie, DE Dominique Robinson
The Bears listed a couple of key offensive players as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Vikings and word is positive about both of them on Sunday morning.
According to multiple reports, wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back D’Andre Swift are both expected to play in the divisional clash.
Allen was a limited participant in practice on Friday due to an ankle injury and he was listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report. Swift had the same designation due to a groin injury, but he was able to steadily ramp up his practice participation over the course of the week.
The Bears are trying to snap a four-game losing streak on Sunday, so they’ll welcome being at close to full strength when they hit the field at 1 p.m. ET.
The Giants benched quarterback Daniel Jones for business reasons, not for football reasons. And the Giants allowed personal feelings to interfere with what would have been the best business decision — prevent him from going elsewhere and proving the Giants wrong, Saquon-style.
But they’re going to waive him. Even though they haven’t done it, the owner has said it’s going to happen. (The reason for the delay isn’t clear, but it’s clearly coming.)
While many have adopted the narrative that Jones stinks, he doesn’t. He hasn’t. He helped lead the Giants to the playoffs in 2022. With Jones at the helm, the Giants beat the Vikings in Minnesota in the wild-card round. His struggles have typically traced to subpar offensive line play.
Once he’s released and clears waivers (he absolutely will), Jones will be free to sign with any team at any time. He’ll first need to ask whether to join a team now or wait.
Waiting would allow Jones to get a better feel for who the real contenders will be — and it might give him a chance to play sooner than later, if a starter gets injured elsewhere.
Regardless, consider the backup situations for the various contenders and ask whether a guy who earned a contract that paid $40 million per year and won a playoff game would be better than the current No. 2.
Buffalo: Mitch Trubisky. (Probably.)
Miami: Skylar Thompson/Tyler Huntley. (Yes.)
Baltimore: Josh Johnson. (Yes.)
Pittsburgh: Justin Fields. (Yes, but they seem to be committed to Fields as current backup and potential future starter.)
Houston: Davis Mills. (Yes.)
Kansas City: Carson Wentz. (Probably.)
L.A. Chargers: Easton Stick. (Yes.)
Denver: Jarrett Stidham. (Yes.)
Philadelphia: Kenny Pickett. (Yes.)
Washington: Marcus Mariota. (Probably.)
Detroit: Hendon Hooker. (Yes.)
Minnesota: Nick Mullens. (Yes.)
Green Bay: Malik Willis. (Yes, although Willis has played well this year.)
Atlanta: Michael Penix Jr. (Yes, but they likely wouldn’t do it.)
Tampa Bay: Kyle Trask. (Yes.)
Arizona: Clayton Tune. (Yes.)
Seattle: Sam Howell. (Yes.)
San Francisco: Brandon Allen. (Yes.)
L.A. Rams: Jimmy Garoppolo. (Probably.)
So, yes, someone who is currently contending should want Jones. Jones can afford to take his time. To wait for a clear shot to potentially contribute on a team that has the ability to go deep into the playoffs.
And maybe to wait to see if/when a starter gets injured and an immediate need arises for Jones to play, sooner than later.
The Vikings are moving on from another 2022 draft pick.
Per NFL Media, Minnesota will be waiving cornerback Akayleb Evans.
A fourth-round pick (118th overall) in G.M. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first year on the job, Evans started 15 games in 2023. This year, he has seven appearances but zero starts. He had been listed on the depth chart as a backup to Byron Murphy, Jr.
Evans will now pass through waivers. If unclaimed, he’ll become a free agent.
The 8-2 Vikings visit the 4-6 Bears on Sunday. For a preview of that and all Week 12 games, click here.
There’s officially no concern for Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold’s availability for Sunday’s game against the Bears.
After Darnold (foot) was upgraded to a full participant on Thursday, he has no game status and is set to play in Week 12. He was also a full participant on Friday.
In 10 games this season, Darnold has completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,387 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters in his Friday press conference that tight end Josh Oliver (wrist/ankle) is out. Outside linebacker Gabriel Murphy (knee) and tight end Nick Muse (hand) are both questionable.
Both Murphy and Muse are returning from injured reserve and were full participants in practice all week.
Running back Aaron Jones (ribs) and defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard (toe) are also off the injury report and are set to play.
The Bears added wide receiver Keenan Allen to their injury report on Friday.
Allen was a limited participant in practice due to an ankle injury and he has been listed as questionable to play against the Vikings. Allen missed two games early in the season with a heel injury and he has 30 catches for 282 yards and two touchdowns in the other eight games this season.
Running back D’Andre Swift (groin) is also listed as questionable, but he took a more positive journey to that designation. Swift missed practice Wednesday and was limited on Thursday before a full practice on Friday.
Offensive lineman Ryan Bates (concussion) and defensive back Elijah Hicks (ankle) have been ruled out. Tackle Kiran Amegdajie (calf) joins Allen and Swift in the questionable category.
Another week, another injury overcome by Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.
A week after a hand injury didn’t impact his availability against the Titans, Darnold was elevated from limited participation in practice on Wednesday to full participation on Thursday, with a foot injury.
Tight end Josh Oliver didn’t practice for a second straight day, due to wrist and ankle injuries. Defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard fully participated with a toe isue.
Running back Aaron Jones (ribs) fully participated.
Linebacker Gabe Murphy (knee) and right end Nick Muse (hand) remain within the 21-day practice window; both fully participated.
The 8-2 Vikings visit the 4-6 Bears on Sunday.
