Monday night will be the 121st time that the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears have met when they square off at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Kickoff is at 7:15 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN with Steve Levy on play-by-play, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick as analysts and Lisa Salters on the sideline.
It will be the fourth time the teams will play on Dec. 20, with each coming in the last 11 years.
The first was in 2010 when the teams played at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus because a snowstorm tore open the Metrodome’s roof nine days earlier.
More than 40,000 fans showed up for the game despite a snowstorm, traffic jams and limited parking. There was a first-come, first-served policy for seating, bringing thousands to the stadium hours before game time.
Chicago won the game 40-14.
Already playing with a bad right shoulder, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre left the game with a concussion after rookie Bears end Corey Wootton took him down. It was be Favre’s last play in the NFL.
Before leaving the game, Favre was 5-for-7 for 63 yards passing including a 23-yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin.
Rookie Joe Webb would take at QB for Minnesota and scored the Vikes second TD on a 13-yard run.
Jay Cutler threw three touchdown passes for the Bears, 67 yards to Johnny Knox, 15 yards to Devin Hester and nine yards to Rashied Davis.
Robbie Gould kicked four field goals, from 29, 23, 34 and 20 yards.
In the other meetings on Dec. 20, Minnesota won 38-17 in 2015 and the Bears won 33-27 in 2020.
Tuesday win
The week after the Vikings hosted the Bears at TCF Bank Stadium, they would have another unique experience as a snowstorm on the east coast forced their game with the Eagles in Philadelphia being postponed two days and resulted in the teams playing only the eighth pro football game ever on a Tuesday and the first in 62 years.
Webb would lead the Vikings to a surprising 24-14 win over the Eagles, going 17-26 passing for 195 yards and running the ball six times for 31 yards including a nine-yard touchdown.
The Eagles will play the third Tuesday game in franchise history this Tuesday, hosting Washington in a game delayed because of COVID-19. Also Tuesday, Seattle is at the Los Angeles Rams.
A complete list of pro football games played on a Tuesday:
(NFL) 09-16-1941: Cleveland Rams 10, Chicago Cardinals 6
(NFL) 09-26-1944: Philadelphia Eagles 28, Boston Yanks 7
(NFL) 09-25-1945: Boston/Brooklyn Yanks/Tigers 28, Pittsburgh Steelers 7
(NFL) 10-01-1946: New York Giants 17, Boston Yanks 7
(AAFC) 10-08-1946: San Francisco 49ers, Miami Seahawks 7
(AAFC) 12-03-1946: Cleveland Browns 34, Miami Seahawks 0
(AAFC) 10-05-1948: Cleveland Browns 14, Baltimore Colts 10
(NFL) 12-28-2010: Minnesota Vikings 24, Philadelphia Eagles 14
Stat of the Week
Linebacker Eric Kendricks is one of only two players since 1987 with at least 120 tackles, 5.0 sacks and two interceptions through the first 13 games of season. The other is Buffalo’s Sam Cowart in 2000.
Notable
WR Justin Jefferson had 79 yards receiving vs. the Steelers, setting a team record for yards in a five-game stretch with 656. Sidney Rice had 642 in 2009 and Randy Moss also had 642 in 2001.
WR K.J. Osborn had his second TD of at least 60 yards (62) this season, his first since Week 2 at Arizona (64-yard TD), which is the Vikings longest play of the season.
DT Michael Pierce set a single-season career high of 3.0 sacks, doing so in only six games with the club.
The Vikings have a league-leading 41 sacks this season. The Steelers and Bengals each have 37.
Minnesota’s offense has allowed 18 sacks this season, second in the NFL behind the Buccaneers with 17.
The Vikings have an all-time record of 30-35 on Monday Night Football.
The first time
The first game ever between the Vikings and Bears was also the Vikings first game in franchise history. Minnesota surprised Chicago 37-13 at Metropolitan Stadium on Sept. 17, 1961.
The No. 1 song in the U.S. was Take Good Care of My Baby by Bobby Vee, who was born in Fargo.
The No. 1 TV show was Wagon Train on NBC. The program would move to ABC in 1962.
The No. 1 movie was ‘Come September’ with Rock Hudson, Gina Lollobrigida, Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee.
Scores
Vikings lead series 61-57-2
09-17-1961: Minnesota Vikings 37, Chicago Bears 13
12-17-1961: Chicago Bears 52, Minnesota Vikings 35
10-07-1962: Chicago Bears 13, Minnesota Vikings 0
11-11-1962: Chicago Bears 31, Minnesota Vikings 30
09-22-1963: Chicago Bears 28, Minnesota Vikings 7
09-20-1964: Chicago Bears 34, Minnesota Vikings 28
12-13-1964: Minnesota Vikings 41, Chicago Bears 14
10-17-1965: Chicago Bears 45, Minnesota Vikings 37
12-19-1965: Minnesota Vikings 24, Chicago Bears 17
10-02-1966: Chicago Bears 13, Minnesota Vikings 10
12-18-1966: Chicago Bears 41, Minnesota Vikings 28
10-01-1967: Chicago Bears 17, Minnesota Vikings 7
12-10-1967: Minnesota Vikings 10, Chicago Bears 10 (tie)
09-29-1968: Chicago Bears 27, Minnesota Vikings 17
10-27-1968: Chicago Bears 26, Minnesota Vikings 24
10-12-1969: Minnesota Vikings 31, Chicago Bears 0
11-02-1969: Minnesota Vikings 31, Chicago Bears 14
10-11-1970: Minnesota Vikings 24, Chicago Bears 0
12-05-1970: Minnesota Vikings 16, Chicago Bears 13
09-26-1971: Chicago Bears 20, Minnesota Vikings 17
12-19-1971: Minnesota Vikings 27, Chicago Bears 10
10-23-1972: Chicago Bears 13, Minnesota Vikings 10
12-03-1972: Minnesota Vikings 23, Chicago Bears 10
09-23-1973: Minnesota Vikings 22, Chicago Bears 13
11-25-1973: Minnesota Vikings 31, Chicago Bears 13
09-29-1974: Minnesota Vikings 11, Chicago Bears 7
11-03-1974: Minnesota Vikings 17, Chicago Bears 0
10-05-1975: Minnesota Vikings 28, Chicago Bears 3
10-27-1975: Minnesota Vikings 13, Chicago Bears 9
10-10-1976: Minnesota Vikings 20, Chicago Bears 19
10-31-1976: Chicago Bears 14, Minnesota Vikings 13
10-16-1977: Minnesota Vikings 22, Chicago Bears 16 (OT)
11-20-1977: Chicago Bears 10, Minnesota Vikings 7
09-25-1978: Minnesota Vikings 24, Chicago Bears 20
11-12-1978: Minnesota Vikings 17, Chicago Bears 14
09-09-1979: Chicago Bears 26, Minnesota Vikings 7
10-21-1979: Minnesota Vikings 30, Chicago Bears 27
09-21-1980: Minnesota Vikings 34, Chicago Bears 14
10-12-1980: Minnesota Vikings 13, Chicago Bears 7
10-04-1981: Minnesota Vikings 24, Chicago Bears 21
12-06-1981: Chicago Bears 10, Minnesota Vikings 9
11-28-1982: Minnesota Vikings 35, Chicago Bears 7
10-09-1982: Minnesota Vikings 23, Chicago Bears 14
11-28-1982: Minnesota Vikings 35, Chicago Bears 7
10-09-1983: Minnesota Vikings 23, Chicago Bears 14
12-11-1983: Chicago Bears 19, Minnesota Vikings 13
10-28-1984: Chicago Bears 16, Minnesota Vikings 7
11-25-1984: Chicago Bears 34, Minnesota Vikings 30
09-19-1985: Chicago Bears 33, Minnesota Vikings 24
10-27-1985: Chicago Bears 27, Minnesota Vikings 9
10-05-1986: Chicago Bears 23, Minnesota Vikings 0
10-19-1986: Minnesota Vikings 23, Chicago Bears 7
10-11-1987: Chicago Bears 27, Minnesota Vikings 7
12-06-1987: Chicago Bears 30, Minnesota Vikings 24
09-19-1988: Minnesota Vikings 31, Chicago Bears 7
12-19-1988: Minnesota Vikings 28, Chicago Bears 27
09-17-1989: Chicago Bears 38, Minnesota Vikings 7
12-03-1989: Minnesota Vikings 27, Chicago Bears 16
09-23-1990: Chicago Bears 19, Minnesota Vikings 16
11-25-1990: Minnesota Vikings 41, Chicago Bears 13
09-01-1991: Chicago Bears 10, Minnesota Vikings 6
11-11-1991: Chicago Bears 34, Minnesota Vikings 17
10-04-1992: Minnesota Vikings 21, Chicago Bears 20
11-02-1992: Minnesota Vikings 38, Chicago Bears 10
09-12-1993: Minnesota Vikings 10, Chicago Bears 7
10-25-1993: Minnesota Vikings 19, Chicago Bears 12
09-18-1994: Minnesota Vikings 42, Chicago Bears 14
12-01-1994: Minnesota Vikings 33, Chicago Bears 27 (OT)
01-01-1995: Chicago Bears 35, Minnesota Vikings 18 (NFC Wild Card Game)
09-03-1995: Chicago Bears 31, Minnesota Vikings 14
10-30-1995: Chicago Bears 14, Minnesota Vikings 6
09-15-1996: Minnesota Vikings 20, Chicago Bears 14
10-28-1996: Chicago Bears 15, Minnesota Vikings 13
09-07-1997: Minnesota Vikings 27, Chicago Bears 24
11-09-1997: Minnesota Vikings 29, Chicago Bears 22
09-27-1998: Minnesota Vikings 31, Chicago Bears 28
12-06-1998: Minnesota Vikings 48, Chicago Bears 22
10-10-1999: Chicago Bears 24, Minnesota Vikings 22
11-14-1999: Minnesota Vikings 27, Chicago Bears 24 (OT)
09-03-2000: Minnesota Vikings 30, Chicago Bears 27
10-15-2000: Minnesota Vikings 28, Chicago Bears 16
09-23-2001: Chicago Bears 17, Minnesota Vikings 10
11-25-2001: Chicago Bears 13, Minnesota Vikings 6
09-08-2002: Chicago Bears 27, Minnesota Vikings 23
10-27-2002: Minnesota Vikings 25, Chicago Bears 7
09-14-2003: Minnesota Vikings 24, Chicago Bears 13
12-14-2003: Chicago Bears 13, Minnesota Vikings 10
09-26-2004: Minnesota Vikings 27, Chicago Bears 22
12-05-2004: Chicago Bears 24, Minnesota Vikings 14
10-16-2005: Chicago Bears 28, Minnesota Vikings 3
01-01-2006: Minnesota Vikings 34, Chicago Bears 10
09-24-2006: Chicago Bears 19, Minnesota Vikings 16
12-03-2006: Chicago Bears 23, Minnesota Vikings 13
10-14-2007: Minnesota Vikings 34, Chicago Bears 31
12-17-2007: Minnesota Vikings 20, Chicago Bears 13
10-19-2008: Chicago Bears 48, Minnesota Vikings 41
11-30-2008: Minnesota Vikings 34, Chicago Bears 14
11-29-2009: Minnesota Vikings 36, Chicago Bears 10
12-28-2009: Chicago Bears 36, Minnesota Vikings 30 (OT)
11-14-2010: Chicago Bears 27, Minnesota Vikings 13
12-20-2010: Chicago Bears 40, Minnesota Vikings 14
10-16-2011: Chicago Bears 39, Minnesota Vikings 10
01-01-2012: Chicago Bears 17, Minnesota Vikings 13
11-25-2012: Chicago Bears 28, Minnesota Vikings 10
12-09-2012: Minnesota Vikings 21, Chicago Bears 14
09-15-2013: Chicago Bears 31, Minnesota Vikings 30
12-01-2013: Minnesota Vikings 23, Chicago Bears 20 (OT)
11-16-2014: Chicago Bears 21, Minnesota Vikings 13
12-28-2014: Minnesota Vikings 13, Chicago Bears 9
11-01-2015: Minnesota Vikings 23, Chicago Bears 20
12-20-2015: Minnesota Vikings 38, Chicago Bears 17
10-31-2016: Chicago Bears 20, Minnesota Vikings 10
01-01-2017: Minnesota Vikings 38, Chicago Bears 17
10-09-2017: Minnesota Vikings 20, Chicago Bears 17
12-31-2017: Minnesota Vikings 23, Chicago Bears 10
11-18-2018: Chicago Bears 25, Minnesota Vikings 20
12-30-2018: Chicago Bears 24, Minnesota Vikings 10
09-29-2019: Chicago Bears 16, Minnesota Vikings 6
12-29-2019: Chicago Bears 21, Minnesota Vikings 19
11-16-2020: Minnesota Vikings 19, Chicago Bears 13
12-20-2020: Chicago Bears 33, Minnesota Vikings 27
Points scored: Minnesota Vikings 2503, Chicago Bears 2348
Minnesota Vikings schedule
Sunday, Sept. 12 - at Cincinnati, L 27-24 (OT)
Sunday, Sept. 19 - at Arizona, L 34-33
Sunday, Sept. 26 - Seattle, W 30-17
Sunday, Oct. 3 - Cleveland, L 14-7
Sunday, Oct. 10 - Detroit, W 19-17
Sunday, Oct. 17 - at Carolina, W 34-28
Sunday, Oct. 24 - Bye
Sunday, Oct. 31 - Dallas, L 20-16
Sunday, Nov. 7 - at Baltimore, L 34-31
Sunday, Nov. 14 - at Los Angeles Chargers, W 27-20
Sunday, Nov. 21 - Green Bay, W 34-31
Sunday, Nov. 28 - at San Francisco, L 34-26
Sunday, Dec. 5 - at Detroit, L 29-27
Thursday, Dec. 9 - Pittsburgh, W 36-28
Monday, Dec. 20 - at Chicago, 7:15 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 26 - Los Angeles Rams, noon
Sunday, Jan. 2 - at Green Bay, 7:20 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 9 - Chicago, noon