CHICAGO — The Bears entered Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings on a 4-game losing streak that has called so much into question. During that stretch, the Bears have lost twice in horrific fashion, on a Hail Mary and a blocked field goal. The offensive struggles in between led to Shane Waldron getting fired.

Now head coach Matt Eberflus is firmly on the hot seat. If there was any hope to salvage the season, the Bears simply had to beat the Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field.

That didn’t happen, despite a heroic effort from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. He had several moments where he flashed the special skills expected from a No. 1 overall pick, including willing the team into overtime with some key plays late.

Ultimately, the Bears were on the wrong end of a 30-27 overtime game on Sunday in this Week 12 contest at Soldier Field.

Let’s break this game down in our instant analysis:

Bair’s break down

Caleb Williams was spinning it on Sunday afternoon. The rookie quarterback had some wow moments in this contest, especially early on, where he showed fans why he was taken No. 1 overall.

He worked the ball well down the field, with Keenan Allen as a frequent target. Despite him playing so well, the Bears didn’t get a ton of points from it. They struggled to score despite opportunities to do so, with a field goal that got blocked and a questionable decision to go for it on fourth down within field-goal range.

Williams didn’t sustain the consistency of his first-half play, however, but he turned it way up down the stretch and put the Bears in position to win. His touchdown pass to Allen and 2-point conversion to DJ Moore got the Bears within a field goal.

Then the Bears recovered an onside kick to set up Williams’ late-game heroics. Williams found Moore within field-goal range, and then Cairo Santos hit a field goal to tie it as time expired.

That pushed the game to overtime, where the Bears won the coin toss but were forced to punt. The defense ultimately couldn’t give Williams one more chance, leading to Vikings finding a way to win it on their overtime possession.

That led the Bears to another heartbreaking loss, which makes this 5-game losing streak even more painful than it would if the Bears were getting soundly beat on a routine basis. The Bears lost yet another one-score game, leaving them with the fewest victories in one-score games in the NFL since 2022. 

Key stat

The Bears actually moved the ball better than the Vikings for much of the afternoon but Eberflus’ squad gave Minnesota a few gifts.

The Bears were flagged for 7 penalties racking up 80 yards on those plays. The Vikings, meanwhile, were only flagged 5 times for 45 yards.

Many of the Bears penalties were big plays, including Jaylon Johnson getting flagged for a 35-yard pass interference call that set up the Vikings’ go-ahead touchdown.

Johnson was later flagged again for pass interference on a crucial 3rd-down play. Sam Darnold’s pass fell incomplete but Johnson’s miscue gave the Vikings another first down.

Also included in the Bears’ penalty yardage was a 10-yard holding penalty on the opening offensive play of the game. Williams had completed a pass to Cole Kmet for 8 yards and the Bears looked to be set up well for a 2nd-and-2 situation. But running back D’Andre Swift was flagged for holding and the Bears ultimately punted on the opening drive.

This number could have actually looked worse as a Bears defensive holding call was declined to start the 4th quarter because Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson made an incredible catch on the play.

It didn’t count as penalty yardage but DeAndre Carter’s muffed punt was another unforced error that had a huge hand in the outcome of the game.

The Bears defense came up with a big stop as the team trailed 17-10 but on the ensuing punt, Carter – the team’s returner – waved off his teammates and didn’t attempt a catch on a short kick. The ball hit the ground, then bounced up to hit Carter’s leg and the Vikings recovered 15 yards away from the end zone.

It was another special teams disaster for the Bears and one that contributed to the Bears’ one-score loss.

Pivot point

Another week, another blocked field goal attempt for the Bears.

And this one also played a huge role in the loss.

After a crucial 3rd-down catch by Keenan Allen was overturned early in the 2nd quarter, the Bears opted for a field goal in hopes of taking a 10-7 lead on the Vikings in the middle of the 2nd quarter.

Santos’ second straight attempt was blocked:

The Vikings quickly capitalized on the opportunity, marching 53 yards on 6 plays to score a touchdown and take a 14-7 lead over the Bears.

That included a 35-yard pass interference penalty on Johnson. Bears safety Jonathan Owens actually intercepted the ball on the play – a deep shot to superstar receiver Justin Jefferson – but Johnson’s flag negated the turnover and set the Vikings up with a 1st-and-goal at the 6-yard line.

Two plays later, the Vikings had a touchdown lead.

What’s next

The Bears late-season tour of the NFC North continues in short shrift, with a Thanksgiving game against Detroit. The Lions might be the best team in football right now, presenting a tough opponent for the Bears on a short week.