Devin Aromashodu (left) and Jay Cutler celebrate a completion midway through Monday's game. (Jose M. Osorio/Tribune)
By Brad Biggs
If this Bears team had shown up two months ago, there might not be jobs on the line at Halas Hall.
As it is, the firing squad still figures to assemble at this time next week when a season that has fallen well short of expectations comes to a merciful end. But on Monday night at Soldier Field, general manager Jerry Angelo got validation on his youth movement or the Bears got a big dose of false hope for what promises to be a busy offseason.
For the first time this season, the Bears had a balanced and potent offense with Jay Cutler leading the way in a 36-30 overtime upset of the Minnesota Vikings.
Cutler hit Devin Aromashodu on a 39-yard touchdown pass at the 9:15 mark in overtime to give the Bears the victory and raise their record to 6-9 going into the season finale Sunday at Detroit. Aromashodu had seven catches for a career-high 150 yards on the night.
The winning score was set up when Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer stripped the ball from Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and the Bears recovered on the Minnesota 39.
The Bears had taken a 30-23 lead with 4:55 to play in regulation on a
Cutler-to-Earl Bennett 20-yard touchdown pass, only to see Brett Favre
march the Vikings back for a game-tying, six-yard TD pass on
fourth-and-goal to Sidney Rice with 16 seconds remaining in regulation.
The
Bears received the kickoff to open the overtime period and moved into
field-goal range, but Robbie Gould missed a 45-yard attempt wide right.
The Vikings fell to 11-4, enabling New Orleans (13-2) to clinch the top seed in the NFC. If Philadelphia beats Dallas on Sunday, the Eagles (11-4) will get the No. 2 seed ahead of the Vikikngs.
Entering the game, the Vikings appeared to be unraveling at the worst possible time,having
lost three of their last four. And the Bears took it to them when
the only thing they had to play for was pride and the chance to leave a
late impression on the decision-makers.
Smith implored his players to respond in front of a
national audience and at the start they did just that. Cutler threw two
touchdown passes and his only mistake was a terrible decision on a pass
that was intercepted by Cedric Griffin at the end of the third quarter.
With Devin Hester still nursing a calf injury, Aromashodu filled
in again and staked his claim to what ought to be at least a shot at a
starting job next season. His acrobatic 26-yard catch over the middle
set up a seven-yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen, who had his best game
in more than a month.
Olsen drew a big pass-interference penalty midway
through the third quarter that set up a two-yard touchdown pass to
Desmond Clark that put the Bears ahead 23-6.
Gould hit three field goals and the Bears led 16-0, the biggest
first-half deficit the Vikings have faced this season. But the
Vikings rallied as Favre showed he's not done, even if he's not
playing like he did four weeks ago when Minnesota steamrolled the Bears
for 537 yards offense in the Metrodome.
Favre threw a six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Visanthe Shiancoe late in the
third quarter and after Griffin's interception, Ryan Longwell kicked a
41-yard field goal to bring the Vikings within 23-16 with 12:10
remaining.
The Vikings then put together a long drive when the Bears lost
cornerback Charles Tillman to a rib injury after a crushing hit from
safety Craig Steltz as they went to tackle Shiancoe. Peterson ran in for a one-yard touchdown, his second score of
the game, to tie it at 23.
Danieal Manning, handling all kickoff-return duties after rookie Johnny
Knox was carted off with a left-ankle injury, returned the ensuing
kickoff 59 yards and that set up Cutler's touchdown pass to Bennett to
put the Bears ahead.
Maybe the best outcome of the game was the job Chris Williams did at
left tackle protecting Cutler's blind side vs. Jared Allen. He got a
lot of help from running back Matt Forte but held up well in his first
major test, good enough to give Angelo reason for confidence heading
into 2010.
A strong effort against a good team came at least a month too late.
Much more was expected from the Bears, even if few gave them a chance
to succeed here. With the new year will come a resolution for change.
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Hey Joe, I agree it was Williams best game as a pro, but let me point one thing out to you. Allen has zero sacks in games Pat Williams does not play in. He helped shut down Allen but he had a lot of help and the running game still struggled, they stuck with the running game which was good, but it was not a great outing for Forte.
I see Brando has found his way over here and is still trying to post as me and doing all that crazy homo stalker stuff he loves to do. I love it when so called Bears fans get mad at the Bears for winning.
FClef I never said anything about the last play being bad, I said Cutler Checked out of the run after he read the blitz and made a great play. He did the exact right thing. Not sure how you see me arguing that.
God I love it when Denver fans get angry, I just hope Cutler keeps giving them fits.
On thing to remember is that this is Cutlers first year in a new system and he does not have great talent around him. Sometimes it takes awhile for things to click and as we have seen with this coaching staff over and over, they are not good at coaching up players. I am not thrilled at the idea of bringing in a new Corrdinator though, because that would be another year for Cutler in a new system. For me you wither fire everyone from phillips on down or you stick with the guys you have. Brining in Martz would only mess up Cutler next year.
Jeff in Stockton is right, and not crying. I listened to wbbm with the game, but would listen in the Favre fest now and again to laugh. And what was with the official helping favre up and dusting him off? I have never seen that before. Even the ditz who spoke with cutler after the game could only talk about favre. Jesus Christ, give me a break.
Anyone else noticed how Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski sounded as if they announcers working for a Minnesota Vikings network? The first half was about how Minnesota is messing up rather than how great of a job Chicago's Def played. Then the second half was a jockfest for the "Greatness of Favre". Go back to the first almost intercepted pass Favre threw when Bowman jumped the route, Gruden and Jaws simply called it an incomplete pass when it really was just a bad pass to a WR who was covered. Not only that, but it seemed like the replay guys found every little non-call on big plays made by the Bears (the push in the back on one of the returns). In recent games Bears were victims of B.S. calls and nobody really said anything about it.
If you recorded the game, listen to the announcers and take note to how they slant their statements towards the greatness of Vikings and Favre. It's ridiculous. All I'm saying is there needs to be more objectiveness and neutrality by the announcers. Quit this lovefest with the "stars" of the NFL by making seem like they can do no wrong and overhyping them. My brother in law isn't a big football fan but he even noticed how unfair the coverage was. It makes me wonder if there will ever be games played on TV without the influence of the NFL's and networks' "not so hidden agenda" for the best games for ratings.
I enjoyed reading most of the comments...I am happy that the Bears won over the Vikings...let it just stay at that. Who knows what next season will bring? If you are a TRUE Bears fan, you'll stick with them no matter what. I now live in Packer country but still love my Bears! Get lots of teasing, but it doesn't make a difference to my being a CB fan.
As for some of you leaving those disgustingly crude comments, you need a life...and the Bears don't need your support. Find another outlet for your nasty comments...get a life.
WOW - Who were those guys last night and where have they been all season? Doesn't change the fact that major changes need to be made, but nice to see a win on MNF that messes up the Vikings plans for the playoffs.
Creighton,
You are correct in that the Vikes pass rush overall has slipped, and Pat Williams was out, but I still think Williams had his best game as a pro last night. We used a lot of chipping, but against Allen, that's what you have to do. When asked to block him one on one, Williams held his own. He still has a long way to go to develop consistency and get used to playing against premiere pass rushers, but he did pretty well. I am happy to see a game where he didn't get abused against what could be the best pass rusher at DE in the NFC.
A few other observations:
--When Hester and Knox are out of the game, the offense seems to click a lot more. It is obvious that Cutler likes throwing to Bennett, Aromashodu, and Olsen. They are both outside receivers, and Olsen seems to get more room to work when they are out there. They are also all big targets, which means we can run deep ins and skinny posts, instead of the Hester/Knox "stop route" where they don't move back towards the ball or in either direction on their stick routes....Shiancoe's TD catch showed how to run a stick route correctly, and should be watched by both young receivers, so that when they play in the slot next season, they know how to properly find seams in the zone defenses.
--Mark Anderson played a lot better than I have seen in quite some time, and a lot of that had to do with the pressure coming from Harris and Idonije. But I thought he played better than what we normally get out of Ogunleye.
--Craig Steltz shouldn't even be allowed on the field as a ball boy. he is late to every play, he leads with his head down and can't wrap up, and misses on almost every hit.
--I can't tell if they were playing to save their own jobs, or playing to save Lovie's job, but I think they inadvertently saved Angelo's job in the process. It makes it look like Lovie and the staff can't evaluate talent, because without Ogunleye, Hester, and Pace, this team looked like it could compete. Angelo is responsible for all 3 being in Chicago, but not for them being in the lineup. And let's face it, they can't evaluate talent. Roach was out of position on multiple occasions, and Jamar Williams is still playing better, yet they are still going with the rotation....Giving up 30 points in the second half to a totally disoriented team shows that Lovie is not capable of adjusting with a lead, or playing from behind. Not a single adjustment in the game on defense.
--The receivers are still too inexperienced. Aromashodu did it last week, now Knox this week on a quick slant, where they quit on the route and tried to work back outside. Last week it resulted in a pick, and this week, they were lucky it did not. Cutler deserves and needs more help from his wideouts. They need to learn to keep themselves alive, and work back to him when he is on the move. Or know when to break deep on scrambles to their side. On the pick, Bennett stepped out of bounds, so he was ineligible to catch the ball anyway. Olsen missed a hot read, and McKie forgot to turn around on a flat route that both could have kept drives alive. A full offseason of passing "practice" should help that.
--That being said, Cutler needs to be smarter with the ball. Throwing the ball away needs to be a bigger part of his repertoire.
--Favre was the one making bad decisions and putting his team in bad spots, and yet the ESPN guys were slurping it up like he was dropping gold from the sky....
--That's 3 forced fumbles on Peterson by Hillenmeyer this year. Despite the results, there are some guys on this team who are still professionals who study film and try to use what they see.
--What the heck has happened to Corey Graham? Is the coaching staff so intent on screwing up secondary guys that they will keep jerking Manning and Graham around until they don't know which way is up? They are the best athletes in the secondary (except for maybe Bowman), and the coaching staff does not find ways to get them on the field more often. Bowman has not played well enough to keep his job, yet is out there every week, because he played well in camp...Because that's where you make your mark with Lovie....
Overall with the defense, I was shocked by the first half, appalled by the second half, and impressed with overtime. Cutler and the offense were diverse, mobile, and aggressive (except for the first two drives, where they played too close to the vest). Special teams was solid on returns, a little too loose on coverage, and Gould had a rare miss in OT. All in all, an exciting game, and a lot of fun for me, because there are lots of Viking fans at work today who look like they are going to off themselves...
I need that second half to be what the team focuses on, showing that Lovie doesn't know how to finish, and can't scheme to stop anyone. Odds are he saved his job, but that should not be the case....
I'm the one who has been posting as Jay Cuntler. I'm a Bronco fan who is really mad at Jay Cutler. It rules my life. I'm 46, and my mom says I shouldn't get so mad at him, but she makes me cry when she says I should move out of her basement and meet people. I'm scared of spiders and women. It makes me feel important to post on Chicago websites like I'm a real sports commentator. I hold my stuffed horse (Elway) while I type and fondle my disfigured genetalia.
Great game Bears! Best game of the year! Way to make those viqueens suffer! Too bad for Lovie and Turner though. Enjoy your next assignment guys! Meanwhile, let's win next week! Work towards a MUCH better next season! GO BEARS !!! BEAR DOWN !!! KICK @SS!!!
@Creighton That last play was perfect quarterbacking. Regardless of what kind of season its been, that play was perfect.
Almost forgot, the final game winning play by Cutler and DA. Was a run play, Cutler read the blitz and checked out of it. Well if the Bears can average more than 30 points a game we win. But their is no problem with the defense. To bad Lovie and the crew will be back to mess things up. Who wants to bet Angelo takes a defensive tackle with his first pick in the draft?
I like how Farve is dressed like an extra in 8 Mile for the postgame conference.
Favre personnaly tore the team apart by overstepping his place on the teah. What a Diva and then he tells everyone there are no problems. Well let me say this, :He is the problem."
I only hope that this game does not save OBBIE Smith's job...or even Ron Turner's
The Dyke-Queens have stumbling and bumbling the last 3-4 weeks, and even so, today they almost won..
It is cool to win, I love the BEARS, but I do not like this mediocre coaching staff, except perhaps for the special teams coach who has been consistently good..
Obbie Smith has to go...
Bears fans Lovie is the problem...... his inability to recognize talent is the problem Jay Cutler has wanted Devin Aromashudo on the field since preseason, He could have been performing like this week in and week out. Pray for Cowher, because your prayer for a breakout reciever(mark my words Bears fans) besides Devin Hester has been answered.Just don't forget to thank the city of Miami for making the toughest fastest football players.
SAINTS FAN HERE.........THANK YOU CHICAGO!!!!!!!!.........small world isnt it?????
This game was nothing but a mirage the bears Suck.Minn was about to win until peterson fumbled for the umpteenth freakin time in crunch time.Aromashidu is average that was bad coverage by the vikings.The bears are going nowhere Sorry.Sidney Rice thats a Real receiver,The bears Wr's Suck.
Great win to play spoiler vs. the Vi-Queens 4 TD's by Cutler and D.A. 150 yds and 1 TD wow!! Ok where the hell has this offense been all year?!! So much for Jay's national night game nightmares eh? Still need to fire EVERYONE in the front office and all the coaching staff but I think D.A. should be a solid starter for next years squad.
Great win,,,,,,but on December 28, 2009 11:31 PM
See. it's time to stop blaming the O line and realize how much Cutler really sucks as a QB. The Cutler rep came to life again tonight, no pressure, good Cutler, every other situation, Cutler sucks. This is our reality, Jay Cutler will never win a big game because he makes sure his teams are never in one.
^^^
This cracks me up. People like this can't be reasoned with. If Cutler had another INT-fest the posts would be "See, he can't even win when it doesn't matter". Let the march of the meatballs commence!
I guess Jared Allen retired, because the guy wearing 69 for the Vikings is not somebody who should be paid 70+ million to run upfield on every play and get tossed around like a rag doll by Chris Williams.
I just had to post, and give props to Devin Aromashudo. He finally made it. Being a highschool classmate and watching him grow as a football player makes me proud and root for the Bears. This guy was a beast in highschool there was no one who could cover him, he would leave the Miami North Western sideline with their mouths open after burning the state's best covereage. I've watched him as a Miami Springs Golden Hawk, to a Auburn Tiger, now to a bonafied WR on the Bears Roster. My Dolphins drafted him and let him go, what a mistake, but whats new. Devin we are rooting for you back in Miami, we know you are playing your heart out. Good game and congrats!!!
Eli Oliva class of 2002
I still hope they fire lovie and the whole stinky coaching staff.
GREAT WIN!!! Not great enought to save LOVIE's job. But you saw the #6 that will be a GREAT NFL QB. Tonite was a PAINFULLY obvious display that the BEARS were on PRIMETIME MONDAY NIGHT and showed some pride. Had this been week 12, we would not have seen the same team. Because this coaching staff does not know how to get a team ready to play. TONITE it was about next to last game of a HORRIBLE year, players getting themselves ready to play, and TCOB. You see what Jay can do, he's the future, and it's bright. Now let's get a coaching staff in here that can lead us in 2010 or we'll be in the SAME PLACE this time next year.
This shouldn't change the house-cleaning that needs to take place, as the Tampa-2 was again exposed as ineffective and yet Stubborn Lovie stuck with it.
Cutler is obviously a work in progress who still shows very disturbing tendencies. However, it can't be denied that he has some abilities that cannot be taught. Not very many QBs can make the throws he can make. The key going forward has to be getting a coaching staff in place that can develop athletes into football players.
Also I must say Chris Williams really did look like an NFL tackle tonight. In the playoffs or not, Jared Allen doesn't take games off and he got shut down.
I know its basically a bad team but tonight I don't care I'm gonna enjoy this one. The Bears knocked the grin of Wranglerman's stupid unshaven face. Bear Down.
Just once. For one night. FOR. ONE. NIGHT...
Shut up and enjoy a win, mouthbreathers. You can go back to your ridiculous I HATE EVERYTHING! attitude and your calls to "Bring Back Ditka" tomorrow. Have fun and actually take a moment to enjoy sports.
Dear Denver,
How are you guys loving Kyle Orton now? I'm going to enjoy when you miss the playoffs this season. :)
CUTLER!!!!
Why didn't these jags play like this more often?
Dammit.
worst thing that could possibly happen for bears fans. now the mccaskys will use that game to keep things the same.and not make the necessary changes. save some money.
cutler has been moaning and hollering to get aromashodu on the field since training camp!!! maybe the coaches should listen to his input more? esp. if he can "feel" who his best receivers are!
Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. Beat the Lions and get hungry for 2010. Hope springs eternal and life is good.
dropped INTs don't count as a stat!
This is what happens when you give Cutler time to throw the ball! You WIN!
Great first half by the Bears defense, I guess. Fire every single coach for the 30 points given up in a 2nd half where we received the kickoff. If this scrambling, pathetic OT win saves a second of Lovie Smith's coaching job, then it wasn't worth it.
Smith is an imbecile who's only apparent talent is convincing stupid people that he deserved this job. Gee, who does that remind me of ... ?
espn should be chastised by the nfl for being so bias in their coverage of games involving brett favre. mo, larry and curly and quite irritating in their constant praise and glorification of brett favre no matter what he does good or bad
Devin Aromashodu had 7 catches for 150 yards, and the winning TD ... why was this guy on the practice squad Lovie? Lovie's poor coaching performance the past three seasons, coupled with his inability evaluate talent (i.e. Benson, Gage, etc.) should be enough to seal the deal on his firing after the Lions game this weekend. Great game by the Bears, and I was happy to see some of the younger players step-up and perform. Excellent job by Chris Willians at Left Tackle.
This is what all Vikings fans get. More poor playing from lazy players!!!!
Hi Y'all --
It's better to be lucky than good. Thank God for the four or five dropped INTs tonight! I have been humbled.
My best game ever -- I am proud to be me!
JC
Lovester, Your eyes were swollen shut man. And whatever you had in the pipe at halftime. WHew. Darn it Lovie.
Vik's score 30 points in the 2nd half. That must have been some good stuff.