Tag: Vikings

Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (17) makes a catch and runs against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin (1) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

Lions pummel Vikings, snag No. 1 seed in NFC for first time

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jahmyr Gibbs had 170 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns and the host Detroit Lions pulled away for a 31-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Jared Goff completed 27 of 33 passes for 231 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for Detroit (15-2). Gibbs rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns and caught five passes for 31 yards and one score.

Sam Darnold completed 18 of 41 passes for 166 yards for Minnesota (14-3), which was held without a touchdown. The Vikings’ nine-game winning streak ended.

The Lions clinched the NFC North title for the second year in a row. They will have a bye next week and have secured home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

The Vikings will enter the postseason as a wild-card team and the No. 5 seed in the NFC. They will travel to Inglewood, Calif., to face the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 13.

Gibbs gave the Lions the upper hand with three straight touchdowns in the second half.

Detroit was clinging to a 10-9 lead when Gibbs caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Goff with 2:30 remaining in the third quarter. His score, which came on fourth-and-2, gave the Lions a 17-9 lead.

Gibbs added a 13-yard rushing touchdown to increase Detroit’s lead to 24-9 with 13:06 remaining in the fourth.

The second-year running back out of Alabama was not finished. He powered across the goal line for a 4-yard touchdown to make it 31-9 with 5:14 to go.

Gibbs joined Barry Sanders as the only running backs in team history to score four touchdowns in a game. He also recorded the franchise record for most rushing and receiving touchdowns in a single season (20), surpassing the previous mark of 17 touchdowns set by Sanders during the 1991 campaign and matched by Jamaal Williams in 2022.

Detroit opened the scoring with 1:43 remaining in the first quarter. Gibbs cut to his left and sprinted for a 25-yard touchdown.

The Vikings pulled within 7-6 after back-to-back field goals by Will Reichard.

Jake Bates hit a 48-yard field goal to give Detroit a 10-6 advantage at the break.

Reichard made his third field goal of the game to cut the Vikings’ deficit to 10-9 with 9:55 left in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Nov 17, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) walks off the field due to an injury during the first half against Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Lions LB Alex Anzalone (arm) could be activated for Vikings’ showdown

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone was listed as questionable for Sunday’s NFC showdown for the Minnesota Vikings and could be activated off injury reserve this week.

Anzalone broke his left forearm in a game against the Jacksonville in Week 11 and has missed the past six games.

Anzalone, a team captain, was injured during a play in which teammate Brian Branch pushed Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. out of bounds. Anzalone’s arm got tangled between the two players.

Anzalone, 30, returned to practice earlier this week. Lions coach Dan Campbell liked what he saw from Anzalone during Friday’s session but also wants to be cautious.

“It’s really about him getting comfortable, and so much of it is what we really like to do is get these guys worked in before you throw them into the fire,” Campbell said of Anzalone. “We try to do that with as many of our guys as we can. Get them comfortable with a week of practice, then they’re ready for the following week.

“So that’s kind of the phase we’re in. We want him, would love to have him, but we want to be smart, too. We’ve got a playoff game after this, so just trying to be right by him and by us.”

Both the Lions and Vikings have 14-2 record entering the Sunday night clash.

Anzalone has 56 tackles — seven for loss — in nine games this season. He had a career-best 129 tackles in 2023 and 125 in 2022.

As expected, running back David Montgomery (knee) and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (illness) will miss the contest. Joining Anzalone as questionable are running back Craig Reynolds (back) and receiver Khalif Raymond (foot).

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes against Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Sam Darnold-led Vikings down Packers for ninth straight win

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Sam Darnold completed 33 of 43 passes for a career-best 377 yards to go with three touchdowns and one interception, and the Minnesota Vikings escaped with a 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Justin Jefferson had eight catches for 92 yards for Minnesota (14-2), which won its ninth game in a row. Jalen Nailor, Jordan Addison and Cam Akers had one touchdown reception apiece for the Vikings.

Jordan Love completed 19 of 30 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown for Green Bay (11-5). Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson each rushed for a touchdown and Malik Heath had a touchdown catch for the Packers, who lost to the Vikings for the second time this season.

Minnesota’s nine-game winning streak matches its third longest in franchise history. The Vikings are enjoying their longest stretch of success since 1975, when they won 10 straight.

Green Bay rallied with back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull within two.

Wilson scored on a 5-yard run to cut the Packers’ deficit to 27-18 with 6:12 to go.

Love brought Green Bay within 27-25 with 2:18 to play. He fired a 3-yard touchdown pass to Heath, who scored on a quick slant.

The Vikings got the ball on the following kickoff and never gave it back to Green Bay. Darnold secured the win when he lobbed a pass to Akers for a first down to set up the victory formation.

The Packers opened the scoring late in the first quarter with a 22-yard field goal by Brandon McManus.

Minnesota responded to grab a 13-3 lead at the half.

Darnold found Nailor for a 31-yard touchdown with 11:52 remaining in the first half. Nailor was wide open and made a basket catch near the back of the end zone.

Reichard rounded out the first-half scoring with field goals from 25 yards and 50 yards.

The Vikings increased their lead to 20-3 on the opening drive of the second half. Addison made a diving grab for an 18-yard touchdown.

Green Bay pulled within 20-10 with 5:07 left in the third quarter. Jacobs scored on a 2-yard run.

Darnold’s third touchdown pass, this time to Akers, made it 27-10 in favor of the Vikings with 51 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) escapes from Green Bay Packers defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (55) on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Vikings won the game, 31-29. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Vikings, Packers battle for playoff positioning in divisional clash

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Sam Darnold has played most of his football on either the East or West Coast.

After staying home to play his college ball at Southern California, Darnold spent his first three NFL seasons with the New York Jets before stints in Carolina and San Francisco.

Now that he’s in the Upper Midwest, the veteran quarterback has a much better appreciation of the rivalry between his Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers. The NFC North foes will battle Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

“It’s the whole entire NFC North, man,” Darnold said. “It’s an incredible kind of rivalries or bitterness, I guess you could say. It’s awesome to be able to run into Packers fans. I’m not going to lie, they’re nice and everything, but when you start to talk about football, they’re not shy about speaking their mind about who they think the better team is.

“It’s just fun, man. It makes everything more fun, makes the game more fun. That’s the reason we play.”

Along with the traditional bragging rights between the border rivals, Sunday’s matchup also holds significant playoff implications for the Vikings (13-2) and Packers (11-4), though both teams already have clinched a spot in the postseason.

Minnesota is tied with the Detroit Lions for the top spot in the division with two games to play, though the Lions hold the tiebreaker by virtue of their 31-29 win at the Vikings in Week 7. Green Bay could end up with the No. 5, 6 or 7 seed as a wild-card team, and Sunday’s outcome will go a long way toward determining its playoff positioning.

“We’re playing for something,” said Packers running back Josh Jacobs, who leads Green Bay’s ground attack with 1,216 yards and 13 scores.

Jacobs ran for 69 yards and a touchdown in the Packers’ 34-0 home win over New Orleans on Monday night. Quarterback Jordan Love threw for 182 yards and a score without committing a turnover for Green Bay in its second straight win.

Love has passed for 3,135 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over his 13 starts this season, good for a 97.8 passer rating. Jayden Reed has a team-high 52 catches for 803 yards and six touchdowns. Christian Watson is next with 29 catches for 620 yards and two TDs.

“What’s really cool is you are getting contributions from a lot of different people,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “I think that is usually the mark of a good team.

“You have to stay healthy and continue to build on what you’ve done. I love the energy of our group. Our guys show up ready to work, willing to work every day, and we have to continue to push one another to be at our best because this is the time when you need to be playing your best ball.”

Minnesota is going for its ninth straight win. The Vikings’ only other loss besides Detroit came four days later, a 30-20 Thursday night setback at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8.

Darnold has powered Minnesota with 3,776 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 15 starts. He has posted a 105.4 passer rating in his first season with the team. Former Green Bay star Aaron Jones is Minnesota’s top running back with 1,046 yards and five TDs.

Justin Jefferson is Darnold’s top target with 92 receptions for 1,387 yards and 10 touchdowns. No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison has 56 catches for 806 yards and eight scores.

Packers top cornerback Jaire Alexander is dealing with a knee injury that could keep him out of Sunday’s contest. While he may not match up against one of the league’s premier defenders in Alexander, Jefferson remains motivated for the divisional clash.

“I love any competition regardless of if it’s Green Bay or I’m playing the No. 1 corner in the league,” Jefferson said. “I’m always going to prepare to go out there and play my best regardless of who’s out there. I always say I love these types of games, the games that you really need, the games that are exciting for everyone to watch.”

Alexander was limited in Green Bay’s practice Thursday, as were safety Javon Bullard (ankle), tackle Andre Dillard (concussion), linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (ankle) and tight ends Tucker Kraft (hip) and Luke Musgrave (ankle). Guard Elgton Jenkins (knee), linebacker Quay Walker (ankle), safety Evan Williams (quad) and Watson (knee) sat out Thursday’s session.

The Vikings were fully healthy for Thursday’s practice aside from cornerback Fabian Moreau, who has not practiced all week due to a hip injury.

This will be the final regular-season meeting between the rivals. Minnesota jumped ahead of host Green Bay 28-0 before holding on 31-29 on Sept. 29.

–Field Level Media

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jonathan Bullard (90) pressures Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the third quarter of their game Sunday, September 29, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers 31-29.

Packers-Vikings, Cowboys-Eagles start times shifted

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The NFL announced two changes to the Week 17 schedule on Monday.

Sunday’s NFC East game between the Dallas Cowboys (7-8) and host Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) was moved to 1 p.m. ET.

Sunday’s NFC North clash between the Green Bay Packers (10-4) and host Minnesota Vikings (13-2) was moved to 4:25 p.m. ET.

Both games are airing on FOX.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant (8) during a run play in the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Vikings outlast Seahawks, stay tied atop NFC North

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Sam Darnold threw a 39-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to Justin Jefferson with 3:51 remaining as the Minnesota Vikings rallied for a 27-24 victory against the host Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

The pass capped a four-play, 70-yard drive that took just 30 seconds after Seattle’s Geno Smith threw a 4-yard scoring pass to backup tight end AJ Barner to give the Seahawks their first lead of the afternoon.

Seattle’s Jason Myers came up just short on a 60-yard field-goal attempt with 1:55 left that would have tied the score. The Seahawks got the ball back with 55 seconds remaining, but Theo Jackson sealed the game with an interception on a deep pass intended for Seattle’s DK Metcalf on first down.

The Vikings (13-2) won their eighth game in a row and remained tied with Detroit atop the NFC North. The Seahawks (8-7) lost their second straight and dropped a game behind the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West.

Darnold completed 22 of 35 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns, two to Jefferson — who had 10 catches for 144 yards. Aaron Jones rushed for a game-high 67 yards on 18 carries.

Smith completed 31 of 43 passes for 314 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, with Jaxon Smith-Njibga making eight catches for 95 yards.

Minnesota led 17-14 at the half.

The Vikings scored on the game’s opening possession, with Darnold throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Addison.

Seattle tied it early in the second as Smith hit Metcalf with a 25-yard scoring strike in the back-right corner of the end zone.

The Vikings regained the lead on a 14-yard pass from Darnold to Jefferson, also to the back-right corner of the end zone.

Will Reichard kicked a 52-yard field goal to put Minnesota up 17-7, before Smith hit Smith-Njigba with an 18-yard scoring strike with 20 seconds left in the half.

The teams traded field goals in the third quarter, with Myers converting from 43 yards on the opening drive of the half before Reichard kicked a 48-yarder to give the Vikings a 20-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates his touchdown to wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Playoff vibes shared as Vikings streak into Seattle

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When the NFC North champion is finally crowned, the division title will have been earned.

The Minnesota Vikings pulled even with the Detroit Lions atop the North and clinched a playoff berth with a 30-12 victory over the Chicago Bears on Monday night.

The Vikings (12-2), who have won seven consecutive games, play Sunday at Seattle (8-6), then close the season with divisional games against Green Bay (10-4) and at Detroit (12-2) with home-field advantage in the playoffs up for grabs in the conference.

“It’s going to be incredibly competitive down the stretch,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “We’re going to have to play well and continue to improve, chasing our best football.”

The Vikings didn’t overlook the Bears and know they’re in for a tougher time in Seattle, where they’ve lost five in a row dating to 2006.

“Just the maturity, people understanding how to handle success,” said linebacker Jonathan Greenard, whose first-quarter sack forced a fumble that led to a touchdown against Chicago, referring to the team’s recent surge. “Just making sure we give everybody the same respect as the best team in the league, because anybody can get beat on any given play or any given day, so we’re always going to give that same respect and bring that same fire.”

Aaron Jones and Cam Akers scored to give the Vikings two rushing touchdowns in a game for the first time this season. Justin Jefferson had seven catches for 73 yards, including a TD from Sam Darnold. Jefferson has 82 receptions for 1,243 and eight touchdowns this season, drawing attention that has opened up the field for No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison. He has 27 catches in the past four games.

“Just seeing us stacking the plays, stacking the good games together is really good to see,” Jefferson said. “Our potential is so high. Every game we’re expecting the offense to be the best on that field.”

There is much to be decided in the NFC West, too.

The Seahawks coughed up the division lead and had a four-game winning streak snapped in a 30-13 loss to Green Bay last Sunday night. Seattle is chasing the Rams and has been uncharacteristically fragile at home (3-5) in 2024, but 5-1 on the road.

“We know what type of team we are. We know what the goal is, what we’re trying to accomplish. Playoff ball is just putting the emphasis on what we said early in the year that we wanted to get done,” Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV said. “That’s win the division, go into the playoffs, get a home playoff game, one or two, or whatever the case may be.”

A 3-0 finish against Seattle, the Packers and Lions comes with a steep degree of difficulty but the reward for the Vikings would be the No. 1 seed and home field in the NFC playoffs.

The Seahawks stand in the way with expectations of their own.

“Everything is still in front of us. All of our goals,” Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said. “We just have to get ready for (Sunday). Be ready for Minnesota and get a win.”

The Seahawks are one back of the Rams in the win column with a Week 18 trip to Los Angeles left as a potential division-deciding date next month.

Another window remains open to the Seahawks that could equate to sending the team on the road for the postseason. The Seahawks trail the current No. 7 seed Washington (9-5) by a game in the wild-card chase. Seattle holds a tiebreaker over the Falcons (7-7) because of a 34-14 win at Atlanta and swept the season series from the Cardinals (7-7). San Francisco (6-8) is not yet mathematically eliminated from the playoff picture but would lose a tiebreaker with Seattle because of a 1-4 record against the NFC West. The Seahawks are 3-2.

Seattle has another North opponent on deck. The Seahawks play at Chicago on a short week next Thursday, the day after Christmas.

Seattle was without leading rusher Kenneth Walker III (calf) for the second straight game and quarterback Geno Smith suffered a right knee injury midway through the third quarter and didn’t return in the loss to the Packers. Sam Howell struggled in Smith’s place, completing just 5 of 14 passes for 24 yards and an interception.

Coach Mike Macdonald said tests on Smith’s knee didn’t reveal anything major and the veteran was able to take the field for practice to start the week.

“We’re fortunate,” Macdonald said. “A lot of positive, optimistic signs coming out of the tests. Geno’s a beast, man. He’s in here working out in the morning, working through it. I know he’s still feeling it, but this guy is tough as nails and hopefully we’ll see him practice throughout the week, and optimistic that he’ll be ready for the game.”

Walker and Zach Charbonnet (oblique) sat out Wednesday’s practice along with tight end Brady Russell (foot), wide receiver DK Metcalf (shoulder), center Olu Oluwatimi (knee) and cornerback Tre Brown (hamstring).

Vikings defensive end Jalen Redmond (concussion) and cornerback Fabian Moreau (hip) were the only players to miss practice on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) runs the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Vikings extend winning streak, pile on to Bears’ skid

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Sam Darnold completed 24 of 40 passes for 231 yards, one touchdown and one interception as the Minnesota Vikings pulled away for a 30-12 win over the Chicago Bears on Monday night in Minneapolis.

Justin Jefferson had seven catches for 73 yards and a touchdown for Minnesota (12-2), which won its seventh game in a row. Aaron Jones finished with 106 yards from scrimmage (86 rushing, 20 receiving) and a touchdown on the ground.

Caleb Williams connected on 18 of 31 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown for Chicago (4-10). Keenan Allen scored the lone touchdown for the Bears, who lost their eighth consecutive game.

Minnesota opened the scoring on a 52-yard field goal by Will Reichard early in the first quarter.

On the next possession, the Bears committed a turnover when Vikings pass rusher Jonathan Greenard sacked Williams from the blind side and popped the ball loose. Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman recovered the fumble and returned it 16 yards to the Chicago 39-yard line.

The Vikings’ offense quickly capitalized on the good field position. Jefferson made it 10-0 when he caught a play-action pass in the back of the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown.

Reichard added a 31-yard field goal to put the Vikings on top 13-0 just before halftime.

Chicago got on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter. Cairo Santos connected on a 29-yard field goal to cut the Bears’ deficit to 10 points.

Minnesota answered with a touchdown on its next drive to go ahead 20-3. Jones bounced to the right side and tumbled across the goal line for a 1-yard score, capping a 12-play, 70-yard march. It was Jones’ fifth rushing touchdown of the season and the 50th of his career.

Santos made a 39-yard field goal to bring the Bears within 20-6 with 13 minutes to go.

Cam Akers powered across the goal line for a 1-yard touchdown to increase the Vikings’ lead to 27-6 with 10:14 left. The rushing score was the first for Akers since he rejoined the Vikings in mid-October.

The Bears notched their only touchdown with 5:19 remaining, when Williams found Allen in the end zone from 16 yards out.

Reichard finished the scoring by booting a 46-yard field goal with 1:12 to go.

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates his receiving touchdown with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Week 15 MNF: Vikings-Bears Preview, Props and Prediction

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The Chicago Bears didn’t get much of a bounce from interim coach Thomas Brown.

Brown replaced the fired Matt Eberflus the day after Thanksgiving but instead of a spark, the Bears went to San Francisco and got pummeled by the 49ers.

Minnesota (11-2) welcomes Chicago as the Bears’ losing streak stands at seven games entering Monday night’s divisional matchup against the red-hot Vikings.

A six-game winning streak has the Vikings on the heels of the Eagles and Lions in the race for NFC homefield. Minnesota is in the playoffs, clinching a spot with the Seahawks’ loss on Sunday night. Most recently, the Vikings racked up 42 points at home against Atlanta in Week 14.

There aren’t too many venues that can get louder than the U.S. Bank Stadium when the Vikings are playing well.

Look for Minnesota to jump out to a fast start against a Bears team with a first-year quarterback and a coaching staff that’s clearly in a state of flux at this point of the year.

–It’s the coaching, stupid
The Bears’ decision to fire a head coach in midseason for the first time in franchise history indicates just how dire matters had become at Halas Hall.

Eberflus left them with no choice after his in-game blunder against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day, which was laid bare for the whole world to see.

With 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Chicago trailing 23-20 on Detroit’s 41-yard line, Eberflus opted not to call a timeout on third down following a sack to his quarterback Caleb Williams.

Instead, the Bears wasted 30 seconds trying to get organized at the line of scrimmage, throwing an incomplete pass as time expired. Thus, they were unable to attempt a game-tying 58-yard field goal.

After the game, Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen seemed to not so subtly blame the coaching staff directly, telling reporters, “We did enough as players to win this game.”

In other words, the players were the ones who held up their end of the bargain.

Unfortunately, the debacle against the Lions was just another example of Eberflus being completely beyond his depth as a head coach this season.

Two weeks before the loss to the Lions, the Bears had a chance for a game-winning field goal against the Packers, but instead of running another play to make the kick shorter, Eberflus ran 27 seconds off the clock only for Green Bay to block a 46-yarder.

–Prop pick: Vikings pass-catchers
Jordan Addison lit up the Chicago secondary in the first meeting Nov. 24 with eight catches for 162 yards and a touchdown and then went for 8-133-3 against the Falcons last week.

The Bears might shake things up with Eberflus no longer calling defensive shots, but Chicago sits in the same pick-your-poison predicament with Justin Jefferson opposite Addison. Tight end T.J. Hockenson also had seven receptions against the Bears last month and had 11 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in two games in this matchup last season.

Quarterback Sam Darnold spreads the wealth in this one with Jefferson and Addison recording six receptions apiece and Addison over 60 yards.

Prop: Two bets parlayed: Addison six-plus receptions, Addison 60-plus receiving yards (+248 FanDuel)

–Bears’ coaches are ill-prepared
Before the Bears canned Eberflus, he fired his offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron. Last season, he fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

Thomas Brown, who took over for Waldron as coordinator, is now the interim head coach.

While the Bears’ performance on the field certainly warranted some change, this revolving door of coordinators and head coaches isn’t particularly beneficial for their rookie quarterback.

There are legitimate concerns about their coaching staff’s ability to prepare midweek and devise a plan in the early stages of a game.

Of all 32 teams, the Bears average the third-fewest points in the first half, 7.4, and when they’re on the road, that average drops to 4.7.

Given their coaching carousel and staff members being elevated into new positions to fill a void, one can only wonder if there’s a lack of quality due to inexperience.

And with the Bears yet to cover the first-half spread in all six road games this season, it’s difficult to see them turning the tide on Monday night against a quality Vikings team.

Best bet: Vikings 1H -3.5 (-115 DraftKings)

–Michael Nwaneri, Field Level Media

Jan 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Randy Moss on the ESPN Monday Night Countdown set before a NFC Wild Card playoff football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Randy Moss reveals he underwent surgery to remove bile duct cancer

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Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss said Friday that he is recovering from a cancer surgery and will undergo radiation and chemotherapy.

Moss revealed the health crisis during an Instagram Live appearance. He said a cancerous mass was found in his bile duct between the pancreas and liver.

Moss said he was hospitalized for six days before being released on Friday.

“I didn’t think I would ever be in a position like this, as healthy as I thought I was,” Moss said.

Moss, 47, said he had a procedure to install a stent into his liver on Thanksgiving in an unrelated matter when doctors discovered the cancer cells.

He then underwent a six-hour surgery last week in Charlotte, N.C. to remove the cancer.

“I am a cancer survivor,” Moss said. “Some trying times, but we made it through.”

Next are the trials and tribulations that come with making sure the cancer doesn’t return.

“Yes, it’s going to be a tough road with some chemo and radiation, but like I said, man, I’m good,” Moss said.

Moss took a leave of absence from his gig as an NFL analyst for ESPN on Dec. 6. Five days earlier, he said on Instagram that he “has been battling something internal” and requested prayers from his fans.

Moss played for five NFL teams but is most associated with the Minnesota Vikings, where he played the first seven of his 14 seasons and later briefly played for the team late in his career.

“I just want to, on behalf of the whole Minnesota Vikings organization, just send him our well wishes and support,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “We love Randy and know our fan base feels the same way.”

Moss earned five of his six Pro Bowl nods with Minnesota (1998-2004, 2010) and recorded six of his 10 1,000-yard seasons with the team. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Moss caught 982 passes for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns in 218 career games. He also played for the then-Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10), Tennessee Titans (2010) and San Francisco 49ers (2012).

Moss ranks second in career touchdowns catches behind Jerry Rice (197), fourth in career receiving yardage and 16th in career receptions. His 23 receiving touchdowns in 2007 for the Patriots are an NFL record.

–Field Level Media