Minnesota Vikings: Studs and duds from Week 10 win vs. Bears

Stud: Vikings defense

On Monday Night Football against the Bears, the Vikings defense stepped up big and shut down Chicago for most of the game and especially in the second half. In total, the Bears ended up tallying just 149 total yards on offense on a total of 50 plays, with the Vikings holding that unit to just 10 first downs and 2-for-11 conversion mark on third downs.

In the second half especially, Minnesota’s defense rose up and shut down Chicago, holding the Bears to a total of 14 second-half yards en route to the win. It was a big-time performance on the big stage for the young Vikings defense.

Dud: Costly holding penalties

The Vikings had a few large chunk plays negated by costly holding penalties to put a halt to any drive underway. Most notably in the second half, Minnesota had a few big penalties on offense that brought back big yardage gains on the ground. Early in the second half, Dalvin Cook ran for a large gain that was brought back by a holding penalty and was later followed up by a rare run by Kirk Cousins that was also brought back due to holding on the offensive line.

Although it didn’t impact the game too much, the penalties on the end of the Vikings is something they need to clean up moving forward this season.