Bridgewater Totals 5 TDs; Vikings Blow Out Bears 38-17

His fumble during a sack in field-goal range with 5 seconds remaining was the only glaring mistake, but the play was slow-developing with receivers running left to right and no safe options with that amount of time.

The Vikings appeared prepared for the postseason.

“(Athletic trainer Eric Sugarman) said (Peterson) is like Rubber Man”.

They limited Adrian Peterson to 63 yards on 18 carries, but made Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater look like Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton in his prime. Zimmer pushed them hard in practice this week, challenging the offense to reach 30 points, and the outcome was obvious.

Bridgewater also became the first Vikings quarterback to throw four touchdowns in a game since some rent-a-QB named Brett Favre did on January 3, 2010.

“Same stuff that’s hurt us all year”, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said.

Six plays after Robinson’s game-changing play, Bridgewater threw another touchdown to Diggs, who ran through a pair of Bears to stretch the ball over the goal line. The punt from Pat O’Donnell was downed at the 7-yard line, and that’s where the Vikings picked up their first possession of the day.

“He didn’t want to have a yo-yo football team, up one week and down the next”, Zimmer said.

The Minnesota Vikings are in contention for an NFC North or Wild Card berth to the playoffs and laid the lumber on the Chicago Bears. The passing game for the Minnesota Vikings is coming together at the right time. Despite a number of losses in the final moments of games this season, the Bears have been competitive nearly every time out. “I don’t know that it’s different than it was earlier in the year”.

“It is disappointing to say the least”, said linebacker Shea McClellin.

Jerick McKinnon, RB, Vikings – Four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. “He’s a great player and a good kid”.

“If we’re on the same page, then we’re going to create a tough battle for ’em”, Bears cornerback Tracy Porter said.

The only drawback was the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, as questionable as it was, on McKinnon for celebrating in the end zone. Diggs, the Vikings rookie WR, had three catches for 55 yards and two TDs…. Bridgewater connected on a 15-yard touchdown pass to Diggs on Minnesota’s initial drive, capping a 13-play, 93-yard drive.

Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will begin Week 16 in a familiar spot – receiving treatment for a leg muscle injury with status unclear for the upcoming game.

Gorgui Dieng added 20 points and 10 boards to lead a strong bench unit that blew the game open in the fourth quarter.

Asked to evaluate Minnesota’s coverage, Jeffery remarked, “Nothing special”.

“It wasn’t inflating”, he said, smiling. Things got off to a rough start, as Deonte Thompson took the return out to midfield to get things started for the visiting team.