Bears miss FG as time expires
The Chicago Bears nearly had their second win of the season, but a 50-yard field goal from kicker Jeff Jaeger went wide-right as time expired giving the Minnesota Vikings a 17-16 win on Sunday in the Metrodome.
The Vikings seemed in total control of the game late in the third quarter when they got a pair of 3rd quarter TD rushes from Moe Williams giving the Vikings a 17-10 lead. The Bears got two field goals from Jaeger in the 4th to inch the Bears within a point. After a Viking punt, QB Eric Kramer led the Bears into field goal range, but Jaeger missed the 50-yarder sealing the Vikings win.
The Vikings were without starting RB Robert Smith and their running game suffered. They rushed 33 times but could only manage 96 yards. QB Brad Johnson threw for 163 yards on 19 of 28 passing. WR Chris Carter caught 9 passes for 71 yards.
The Bears’ only TD of the game came late in the 1st quarter when Kramer connected with WR Ricky Proehl, who raced 70 yards for a TD. Running back Raymont Harris rushed for 104 yards on 18 carries. Kramer threw for 143 yards on 12 of 29 passing with a TD and an INT.
The Vikings are now 5-5 despite starting the season 0-4 and are now in the NFC Wildcard hunt. They will travel to Detroit next week to take on the red-hot Lions. The Bears are 1-9 and will host the Jets next Sunday.