Looking to stop the bleeding after consecutive losses on national television, the Chicago Bears lead the Minnesota Vikings, 25-3, at halftime on Sunday afternoon. A characteristically dominant defensive effort by Chicago has made things tough on the Vikings, and the Bears' offense has been able to capitalize after struggling badly the previous two weeks.
Since scoring an early field goal following a rare fumble by Matt Forte, the Vikings' offense has essentially been non-existent, mustering just 92 total yards and three first downs during the first two quarters. Chicago has also forced two turnovers and a blocked punt -- all three of those plays eventually resulted in Bears touchdowns.
Chicago even got a little cute on special teams in the second quarter, taking advantage of a sleeping Vikings unit to put in a two-point conversion on a fake field goal:
While Jay Cutler and company haven't exactly lit up Minnesota's defense, they've done an excellent job of taking what's been handed to them. Chicago only has 169 total yards so far, much of that coming on a 14-play, 79-yard drive in the second quarter, but that's partially the result of playing on short fields thanks to big plays by the defense.
On the day, Cutler is 15-of-17 for 117 yards and a touchdown to tight end Matt Spaeth.