Jay Cutler, Jordan Howard Lead Bears To 20-10 Win Over Vikings

Jay Cutler threw for 252 yards and a touchdown in his return from a thumb injury, rookie Jordan Howard ran for a career-high 153 yards and a TD, and the Chicago Bears gave the Minnesota Vikings quite a scare on Halloween night with a 20-10 victory at Soldier Field on Monday.

Jay Cutler, Jordan Howard Lead Bears To 20-10 Win Over Vikings

The Bears (2-6) sacked Sam Bradford five times, while the NFC North-leading Vikings (5-2) suffered their second consecutive loss.

Cutler was on his point after missing five games due to a sprained right thumb. Alshon Jeffery earned his first touchdown reception of the season, and the hosts beat Minnesota in yardage, 403-258.

Cutler had not played since he exited against Philadelphia in Week 2’s game. The QB finished 20 of 31, including an 11-yard touchdown to Jeffery early in the third that made it 20-3. In Cutler’s absence, the Bears were led by Brian Hoyer, who broke his left arm last week in a Thursday night loss at Green Bay.

Howard had a 69-yard run to the 13 on the Bears’ first possession for the longest run for Chicago in seven years. Zach Miller added 88 yards receiving as the Bears snapped a three-game losing streak.

Bradford played another rough game after getting sacked six times the previous week against the Eagles. He was 23 of 37 for 228 yards.

Matt Asiata ran for 42 yards with Jerick McKinnon sidelined by an ankle injury.

With a small and very quiet home crowd looking on, Chicago led 13-3 at halftime. They nearly led by more, but the Bears settled for field goals on their first two trips inside the 20. The drive that included Howard’s 69-yard run ended with a field goal from Connor Barth. 

Chicago scored another field goal early in the second after Xavier Rhodes broke up a pass to Jeffery in the end zone on third down at the 10.

The Bears finally broke through halfway through the second quarter when Howard scored on a 2-yard run to make it 13-0.

Minnesota drove to Chicago’s 2 in the final minute of the half. However, Akiem Hicks hit Bradford for a 10-yard sack on third down, leading to a 30-yard field goal by Blair Walsh. 

A loss would have dropped the Bears to 1-7, their worst start since coach Dick Jauron’s team posted that record in 2000 en route to a 5-11 season finish.

“We’re flying around having fun now,” linebacker Danny Trevathan said. “This is what it’s supposed to be. It can even get better. I feel like we’re progressing and working on detail, communicating.”

The Bears next have a bye, and will then travel to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 13. The Vikings will next host the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 31: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on October 31, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)