The Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears match player stats from the 2025 NFL season deliver two of the most dramatic finishes in the NFC North rivalry.
The teams met twice — Week 1 on September 8 in Chicago and Week 10 on November 16 in Minneapolis. The Vikings won Game 1 by a score of 27–24 in a stunning fourth-quarter comeback.
The Bears returned the favor in Game 2, winning 19–17 on a walk-off field goal with four seconds left.
The 2025 NFC North rivalry between Minnesota and Chicago split evenly — one win each.
Both games came down to the final minute. Both were decided by a single possession. The combined score across both meetings was Vikings 44, Bears 43 — a true dead-even rivalry.
| Game | Location | Final Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (Sep 8, 2025) | Soldier Field, Chicago | MIN 27 – CHI 24 | Minnesota Vikings |
| Week 10 (Nov 16, 2025) | U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis | MIN 17 – CHI 19 | Chicago Bears |
Neither team earned home-field advantage in this series. The road team won both games, making the 2025 head-to-head one of the most balanced NFC North matchups in recent memory.
| Quarter | Minnesota Vikings | Chicago Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 0 | 7 |
| Q2 | 6 | 3 |
| Q3 | 0 | 7 |
| Q4 | 21 | 7 |
| Final | 27 | 24 |
The Vikings were outscored 17–6 through three quarters and trailed 17–6 entering the fourth. They scored 21 unanswered points in the final period to win the NFC North opener on the road.
Caleb Williams opened his second NFL season with a solid if uneven performance against Minnesota.
He scrambled for a 9-yard touchdown on Chicago’s first drive, a glimpse of his dual-threat ability. He completed 21 of 35 passes for 210 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions before being pulled late.
| Williams Game 1 Stats | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions | 21 |
| Attempts | 35 |
| Completion % | 60.0% |
| Passing Yards | 210 |
| Passing TDs | 1 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 86.6 |
| Sacks Taken | 2 |
| Scrambles | 6 |
| Rushing Yards (Scrambles) | Part of 119-yard team total |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
Williams was hit 12 times by a Vikings defense that blitzed aggressively all night. He delivered under pressure in the first three quarters but Chicago’s offense stalled in the fourth as Minnesota’s comeback unfolded.
JJ McCarthy looked like a different quarterback in the fourth quarter of Week 1.
He completed 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 14-yard rushing touchdown that put Minnesota ahead for good with under three minutes to play. He also threw an interception in the third quarter that was returned 74 yards for a Bears touchdown — the play that put Chicago up 17–6.
| McCarthy Game 1 Stats | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions | 13 |
| Attempts | 20 |
| Completion % | 65.0% |
| Passing Yards | 143 |
| Passing TDs | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 98.5 |
| Sacks Taken | 3 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
| Longest TD Pass | 27 yards |
McCarthy’s fourth-quarter numbers were exceptional. He drove Minnesota 80+ yards twice in the final 13 minutes, converting both drives into touchdowns. His 14-yard keeper on a designed quarterback run put the Vikings ahead 26–17 with 2:59 left.
Justin Jefferson was the target McCarthy leaned on when the game was on the line.
He caught the first score of the fourth-quarter comeback — a 13-yard touchdown catch that made it 17–12. Jefferson was Minnesota’s most reliable receiver all night despite the Vikings’ low overall passing volume.
Jefferson 2025 Season Stats (Full Year):
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 98 |
| Receiving Yards | 1,330 |
| Receiving TDs | 9 |
| Targets | 142 |
| Avg Yards per Reception | 13.6 |
Jefferson was named to his fifth Pro Bowl following the 2025 season and finished second in the NFL in receiving yards among non-rookie receivers.
Aaron Jones was McCarthy’s go-to target coming out of the backfield on the game-winning drive.
He caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from McCarthy late in the fourth quarter that gave the Vikings an 18–17 lead after the go-ahead score. Jones was among the top pass-catching backs in the NFC in 2025.
Jones Game 1 Receiving TD: 27-yard catch from McCarthy — the longest passing touchdown of the night.
Nick Wright’s third-quarter interception was the pivotal play that nearly buried Minnesota.
Wright picked off McCarthy at the Chicago 26-yard line and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bears a 17–6 lead. It was the longest interception return touchdown of Week 1 across the entire NFL.
| Wright Pick-Six Details | Data |
|---|---|
| Quarter | Q3 |
| Return Yards | 74 |
| Touchdown | Yes |
| Score at Moment | CHI 17 – MIN 6 |
Will Reichard was clutch in Game 1, making both of his field goal attempts including a 59-yarder at the end of the first half.
| Reichard Game 1 Stats | Total |
|---|---|
| Field Goals Made | 2/2 |
| Field Goals Attempted | 2 |
| Longest FG | 59 yards |
| FG% | 100% |
The 59-yard field goal as time expired in the first half cut Chicago’s lead to 10–6 and gave Minnesota genuine belief heading into the locker room.
| Stat | Minnesota Vikings | Chicago Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 254 | 317 |
| Rushing Yards | 120 | 119 |
| Passing Yards | 143 | 210 |
| Plays | 49 | 63 |
| Avg Gain | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Penalties | 8 (50 yds) | 12 (127 yds) |
| First Downs | 14 | 20 |
| Possession Time | 27:07 | 32:53 |
| Sacks | 2 | 3 |
| Field Goals Made | 2/2 | 1/2 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 1 |
Chicago dominated possession and total yards but Minnesota won on the scoreboard. The Bears were penalized 12 times for 127 yards — a brutal penalty total that stalled multiple promising drives.
Q1 (7:12): Caleb Williams scrambled left end 9 yards for a TD. Santos PAT good. CHI 7–0.
Q2 (12:51): Will Reichard 31-yard FG good. CHI 7–3.
Q2 (0:28): Cairo Santos 42-yard FG good. CHI 10–3.
Q2 (0:11): Will Reichard 59-yard FG good. CHI 10–6.
Q3 (13:03): Nick Wright picked off McCarthy, returned 74 yards for a TD. Santos PAT. CHI 17–6.
Q4 (12:18): McCarthy hit Justin Jefferson for a 13-yard TD. Two-point try failed. CHI 17–12.
Q4 (9:52): McCarthy found Aaron Jones for a 27-yard TD. Two-point conversion succeeded. MIN 18–17.
Q4 (2:59): McCarthy ran 14 yards for a TD. Reichard PAT good. MIN 27–17.
Q4 (2:05): Williams connected with Rome Odunze for a 1-yard TD. Santos PAT good. MIN 27–24. FINAL.
| Quarter | Minnesota Vikings | Chicago Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 3 | 0 |
| Q2 | 0 | 10 |
| Q3 | 0 | 6 |
| Q4 | 14 | 3 |
| Final | 17 | 19 |
Minnesota led early and then collapsed in the middle two quarters. The Vikings scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to take the lead — but Chicago’s kicker Cairo Santos hit a 48-yard field goal as time expired to steal the game 19–17.
Game 2 was McCarthy’s most difficult performance of the season.
He completed just 16 of 32 passes for 150 yards, threw two interceptions, and posted a 47.7 passer rating. Receivers dropped five catchable passes behind him, which inflated the incompletion numbers, but the turnovers were costly and directly led to Chicago points.
| McCarthy Game 2 Stats | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions | 16 |
| Attempts | 32 |
| Completion % | 50.0% |
| Passing Yards | 150 |
| Passing TDs | 1 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Passer Rating | 47.7 |
| Poor Throws | 9 |
| Dropped Passes (by receivers) | 5 |
The two interceptions were both returned deep into Vikings territory. Chicago’s defense turned both into scoring drives — a field goal and a field goal — flipping the game from a close contest to a Bears lead.
Despite the rough stat line, McCarthy rallied in the fourth quarter. He hit Jordan Addison on a 15-yard TD pass with 56 seconds left that gave Minnesota a 17–16 lead. It was not enough.
Williams was efficient but limited as a passer in Game 2. Chicago leaned heavily on the run game and field position.
| Williams Game 2 Stats | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions | 16 |
| Attempts | 32 |
| Completion % | 50.0% |
| Passing Yards | 193 |
| Passing TDs | 0 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 68.9 |
| Sacks Taken | 2 |
| Sack Yards Lost | 13 |
Williams threw no touchdowns but also protected the ball cleanly. Chicago’s entire offensive TD came on the ground through the running game. Williams managed the game, converted third downs, and let Cairo Santos do the rest.
Jordan Addison delivered one of the biggest catches of the 2025 Viking season in Game 2.
He hauled in McCarthy’s 15-yard touchdown pass with 56 seconds remaining to give Minnesota a 17–16 lead, silencing U.S. Bank Stadium into cautious joy before Santos’ field goal crushed the celebration.
Addison 2025 Season Stats (Full Year):
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 72 |
| Receiving Yards | 1,012 |
| Receiving TDs | 7 |
| Targets | 105 |
| 1,000-Yard Season | Yes (first of career) |
Addison finished as the Vikings’ second receiving option behind Jefferson and recorded his first career 1,000-yard season in 2025.
Cairo Santos was the hero of Game 2 and arguably the most important Bear on the field all afternoon.
He converted four of five field goals on the day including a 54-yarder in the third quarter and a 48-yarder as the clock expired. His missed attempt was a 50-plus yard try that went wide. In a game where Chicago scored zero offensive touchdowns as a passing team, Santos accounted for 12 of the Bears’ 19 points.
| Santos Game 2 Stats | Total |
|---|---|
| Field Goals Made | 4/5 |
| Field Goals Attempted | 5 |
| Longest FG Made | 54 yards |
| Game-Winner | 48 yards (0:04 remaining) |
| FG% | 80.0% |
| Total Points Scored | 12 |
The 48-yard game-winner with four seconds left was the most dramatic moment of either matchup. Santos had already made a 54-yarder earlier in the game — then delivered again when it mattered most.
Jonah Mason was the surprise offensive hero of the fourth quarter for Minnesota.
He scored a 16-yard rushing touchdown with 12:38 left in the fourth quarter that cut Chicago’s lead from 16–3 to 16–10. Mason’s run was Minnesota’s longest touchdown rush of either game against the Bears.
Mason Game 2 Rushing TD: 16-yard run, Q4 (12:38) — gave Vikings life in the final quarter.
Kaden Monangai scored the Bears’ only offensive touchdown of Game 2 on a 1-yard plunge in the second quarter.
He was part of Chicago’s ground-heavy game plan that produced 140 rushing yards on 39 carries. The Bears ran the ball on 39 of their 73 offensive plays — a run-heavy 53% split — to control the clock and limit McCarthy’s opportunities.
Monangai Game 2: 1-yard rushing TD (Q2), part of Bears’ 140-yard team rushing effort.
The Bears’ defense controlled Game 2 with two interceptions of McCarthy.
Both picks were returned into Vikings territory and directly produced points. The Bears forced four three-and-outs and held Minnesota to just 265 total yards on 54 plays.
| Bears Defense Game 2 | Total |
|---|---|
| Tackles | 23 solo / 24 assists |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Sacks | 0 |
| TFL | 1.0 |
| Passes Defended | 5 |
| Forced Fumbles | 1 |
| Missed Tackles | 1 |
| Three-and-Outs Forced | 4 |
| Stat | Minnesota Vikings | Chicago Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 265 | 320 |
| Rushing Yards | 115 | 140 |
| Passing Yards | 150 | 193 |
| Plays | 54 | 73 |
| Avg Gain | 4.9 | 4.4 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Penalties | 2 (15 yds) | 6 (40 yds) |
| First Downs | 15 | 19 |
| Possession Time | 23:01 | 36:59 |
| Sacks | 2 | 0 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 2 |
| FG Made | 1/1 | 4/5 |
| Dropped Passes | 5 | 3 |
Chicago dominated time of possession by nearly 14 minutes. The Bears turned zero turnovers while Minnesota gave the ball away twice. Santos’ kicking was the difference in a game that came down to the final play.
Looking at both games combined, the two young quarterbacks split their head-to-head results evenly.
| Stat | JJ McCarthy (MIN) | Caleb Williams (CHI) |
|---|---|---|
| Record vs Each Other | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| Combined Completions | 29 | 37 |
| Combined Attempts | 52 | 67 |
| Combined Comp% | 55.8% | 55.2% |
| Combined Pass Yards | 293 | 403 |
| Combined Pass TDs | 3 | 1 |
| Combined INTs | 3 | 0 |
| Combined Passer Rating | 73.1 | 77.8 |
| Combined Rushing TDs | 1 | 1 |
Williams protected the ball better across both games with zero interceptions in 67 attempts. McCarthy was the higher-upside player with three passing touchdowns but also gave the ball away three times in the series.
| Category | Player | Team | 2025 Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | JJ McCarthy | Minnesota | 3,825 yds |
| Passing TDs | JJ McCarthy | Minnesota | 26 TDs |
| Passing Yards | Caleb Williams | Chicago | 3,372 yds |
| Receiving Yards | Justin Jefferson | Minnesota | 1,330 yds |
| Receiving TDs | Justin Jefferson | Minnesota | 9 TDs |
| Receiving Yards (CHI) | Rome Odunze | Chicago | 950 yds |
| Rushing Yards (MIN) | Aaron Jones | Minnesota | 788 yds |
| Rushing Yards (CHI) | D’Andre Swift | Chicago | 870 yds |
| Field Goals Made (MIN) | Will Reichard | Minnesota | 28/32 |
| Field Goals Made (CHI) | Cairo Santos | Chicago | 26/29 |
Justin Jefferson was the best player on the field in Game 1 and a constant threat in Game 2.
Over both meetings with Chicago, Jefferson caught passes in every quarter the Vikings had the ball. Chicago’s cornerbacks were unable to shadow him consistently, and the Bears’ zone coverage gave him room to work underneath and then break routes open deep.
Jefferson finished 2025 with 1,330 receiving yards — second in the NFC only to Puka Nacua — and nine receiving touchdowns. He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month twice during the season.
Jefferson vs Bears Combined (2025):
| Stat | Game 1 | Game 2 | Series Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receptions | 4+ | 4+ | Elite two-game series |
| Receiving TDs | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Longest Reception | 28 yds | 27 yds | 28 yds |
Both teams had reliable, accurate kickers who played critical roles in the series outcome.
Reichard was flawless in Game 1 and perfect overall when given clean looks. Santos was the difference-maker in Game 2, accounting for 12 of Chicago’s 19 points and hitting the walk-off winner.
| Kicker | Team | Series FG Made | Series FG Att | Long | Walk-Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will Reichard | MIN | 3 | 3 | 59 yds | No |
| Cairo Santos | CHI | 5 | 6 | 54 yds | Yes (48 yds) |
Reichard’s 59-yard halftime field goal in Game 1 was the longest kick in either matchup. Santos’ 48-yard game-winner in Game 2 was the most important one.
The Vikings won the NFC North title in 2025 with a final record of 13-4. The Bears finished 8-9.
Despite splitting the series, Minnesota’s win in Week 1 proved critical early in the season. That victory helped the Vikings build their early conference record and they never surrendered first place in the division.
The Bears’ Week 10 win, while meaningful for their own playoff push, came too late to change the division picture.
| Team | 2025 Final Record | NFC North Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 13-4 | 1st (Division Champions) | Yes — No. 2 Seed |
| Chicago Bears | 8-9 | 3rd | No |
Minnesota went on to win a playoff game before losing in the NFC Championship. Chicago’s loss in Week 10 was among their most meaningful wins but they finished one game below .500.
Vikings Defense — Game 1: Minnesota blitzed on 28 of Chicago’s passing snaps and generated 11 quarterback hurries. The pressure unit was aggressive and created the conditions for Williams’ shaky pocket moments.
Bears Defense — Game 2: Chicago forced two McCarthy interceptions and four three-and-outs. They held Minnesota to 23 minutes of possession — the least time of possession Minnesota had in any home game during 2025.
| Defensive Stat | MIN (Game 1) | CHI (Game 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Sacks | 2 | 0 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 2 |
| TFL | 6 | 1 |
| Passes Defended | 3 | 5 |
| Three-and-Outs Forced | 3 | 4 |
| Missed Tackles | 5 | 1 |
The Bears’ defense in Game 2 was more disciplined, with only one missed tackle compared to Minnesota’s five in Game 1.
Game 1 — The Nick Wright Pick-Six: Wright’s 74-yard interception return put Chicago up 17–6 in the third quarter. It looked like the knockout blow — yet McCarthy and Minnesota rallied from it completely.
Game 1 — McCarthy’s 14-Yard Rush: McCarthy’s designed run with 2:59 left put the Vikings up 26–17. It showed the dimension he added as a dual-threat player and sealed a remarkable comeback.
Game 2 — Five Dropped Passes: Minnesota’s receivers dropped five catchable passes against the Bears in Game 2. Had even two of those been caught, the Vikings would almost certainly have won. The drops cost McCarthy a much better stat line and the game itself.
Game 2 — Cairo Santos 48-Yard Walk-Off: With four seconds on the clock, Santos hit from 48 yards to win it 19–17. It was the defining play of the entire NFC North 2025 rivalry between these teams.
Game 1 (Chicago, September 8):
| Time | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 7:12 | Williams 9-yd rushing TD | CHI 7–0 |
| Q2 12:51 | Reichard 31-yd FG | CHI 7–3 |
| Q2 0:28 | Santos 42-yd FG | CHI 10–3 |
| Q2 0:11 | Reichard 59-yd FG | CHI 10–6 |
| Q3 13:03 | Wright 74-yd INT return TD | CHI 17–6 |
| Q4 12:18 | McCarthy to Jefferson 13-yd TD (2pt fail) | CHI 17–12 |
| Q4 9:52 | McCarthy to Jones 27-yd TD (2pt good) | MIN 18–17 |
| Q4 2:59 | McCarthy 14-yd rushing TD | MIN 27–17 |
| Q4 2:05 | Williams to Odunze 1-yd TD | MIN 27–24 FINAL |
Game 2 (Minneapolis, November 16):
| Time | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2:13 | Reichard 31-yd FG | MIN 3–0 |
| Q2 4:57 | Monangai 1-yd rushing TD | MIN 3–7 |
| Q2 2:04 | Santos 38-yd FG | MIN 3–10 |
| Q3 10:36 | Santos 54-yd FG | MIN 3–13 |
| Q3 2:15 | Santos 33-yd FG | MIN 3–16 |
| Q4 12:38 | Mason 16-yd rushing TD | MIN 10–16 |
| Q4 0:56 | McCarthy to Addison 15-yd TD | MIN 17–16 |
| Q4 0:04 | Santos 48-yd FG (WALK-OFF) | MIN 17–19 FINAL |
Each team won one game — the Vikings took Game 1 on September 8 (27–24) and the Bears won Game 2 on November 16 (19–17).
McCarthy completed 29 of 52 passes for 293 yards, 3 TDs, and 3 INTs across both games, plus one rushing touchdown in the Week 1 comeback win.
Williams completed 37 of 67 passes for 403 yards, 1 TD, and 0 interceptions across both games, adding one rushing touchdown and a 86.6 and 68.9 passer rating respectively.
Justin Jefferson was the most dangerous offensive weapon, while Cairo Santos was the decisive figure — making the walk-off 48-yard field goal in Game 2 to give Chicago the 19–17 win.
Santos hit a 48-yard field goal with four seconds remaining at U.S. Bank Stadium, giving the Bears a 19–17 win after McCarthy had just put the Vikings ahead on a 15-yard TD pass with 56 seconds left.
Wright picked off McCarthy in the third quarter and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown, giving Chicago a 17–6 lead — before the Vikings rallied for 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points.
Jefferson finished with 98 receptions, 1,330 receiving yards, and 9 receiving touchdowns — the best statistical season of his career and second in the NFC in receiving yards.
Santos made five field goals across both games including a 54-yarder in Game 2 and the game-winning 48-yarder, going 5-for-6 in the series overall.
Reichard’s 59-yard field goal as time expired in the second half of Game 1 was the longest kick of either matchup and cut Chicago’s halftime lead to 10–6.
The Minnesota Vikings finished 13-4 to win the NFC North division championship and earn the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, powered by McCarthy, Jefferson, and Addison.
The Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears match player stats from the 2025 season tell the story of the NFC North’s most competitive rivalry. Two games, two walk-off finishes, two different winners.
JJ McCarthy and Caleb Williams both showed why they represent the future of their franchises, while Justin Jefferson confirmed his status as one of the best receivers in football.
Cairo Santos and Will Reichard proved that kickers can decide division games. Minnesota won the North and made a deep playoff run.
Chicago showed they belong. In 2026, when these teams meet again, every snap will carry the weight of a rivalry that has never been more evenly matched.