Game story
In Week 8 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-11-01, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Chicago Bears, pulling away with a 23–20 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Cutler (Chicago Bears) paced the passing game, with +5.61 total EPA, and +6.4% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, A. Jeffery (Chicago Bears) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.81 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-19.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Chicago Bears changed the game: (3:53) (Punt formation) 16-P.O'Donnell punts 45 yards to MIN 35, Center-43-T.Gafford. 35-M.Sherels for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 7 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 23 |
| Chicago Bears | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Jeffery · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +7.81 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
- 2 J. Cutler · Chicago Bears · Passing · +5.61 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
- 3 T. Bridgewater · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +3.62 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
- 4 K. Rudolph · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.10 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
- 5 C. Johnson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.09 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.09 EPA/play
- 6 M. Mariani · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.98 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.99 EPA/play
- 7 S. Diggs · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.67 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 8 M. Wilson · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.02 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Jeffery — CHI · Receiving
A. Jeffery posted the highest total EPA (+7.81) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Chicago Bears's efficiency. Across 15 counted snaps, they averaged +0.52 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.29 EPA) came from Chicago Bears: (3:53) (Punt formation) 16-P.O'Donnell punts 45 yards to MIN 35, Center-43-T.Gafford. 35-M.Sherels for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Minnesota Vikings — M. Sherels
- Chicago Bears — A. Jeffery (J. Cutler pass)
- Chicago Bears — J. Cutler
- Minnesota Vikings — S. Diggs (T. Bridgewater pass)
Field goals
- Chicago Bears — R. Gould
- Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh
- Chicago Bears — R. Gould
- Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh
- Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–3. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the MIN 36 (Q1 56:03) — (11:03) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIN 80 (Q1 48:53) — (3:53) (Punt formation) 16-P.O'Donnell punts 45 yards to MIN 35, Center-43-T.Gafford. 35-M.Sherels for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q1 48:37) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke..
The second quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 7–3. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the CHI 25 (Q2 39:11) — (9:11) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the MIN 21 (Q2 30:49) — (:49) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left to 17-A.Jeffery for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 30:42) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..
The third quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 3–0. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the MIN 15 (Q3 23:33) — (8:33) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..
The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 13–7. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the CHI 30 (Q4 13:34) — (13:34) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the MIN 4 (Q4 5:00); Chicago Bears added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 4:55) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the CHI 40 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 14-S.Diggs for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q4 1:49) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the CHI 18 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Chicago Bears (Q1 48:53) — (3:53) (Punt formation) 16-P.O'Donnell punts 45 yards to MIN 35, Center-43-T.Gafford. 35-M.Sherels for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:36) — (:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep right to 12-C.Johnson to CHI 27 for 35 yards (21-T.Porter).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:04) — (:04) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 14-S.Diggs for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Chicago Bears (Q4 1:10) — (1:10) (Punt formation) 16-P.O'Donnell punts 53 yards to MIN 22, Center-43-T.Gafford. 35-M.Sherels pushed ob at MIN 34 for 12 yards (52-L.Reynolds).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Chicago Bears (Q1 48:53) — (3:53) (Punt formation) 16-P.O'Donnell punts 45 yards to MIN 35, Center-43-T.Gafford. 35-M.Sherels for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 14-S.Diggs for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 31:13) — (1:13) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep left intended for 14-S.Diggs INTERCEPTED by 23-K.Fuller at MIN 49. 23-K.Fuller to MIN 34 for 15 yards (11-M.Wallace).
- Chicago Bears (Q3 16:57) — (1:57) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
Quarterback report card
J.Cutler led all passers in efficiency for Chicago Bears, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Cutler (Chicago Bears) · 36 dropbacks · 61.1% completion · +6.4% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +5.61 total EPA
- T.Bridgewater (Minnesota Vikings) · 34 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -1.5% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +3.62 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Minnesota Vikings | Chicago Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.018 | -0.052 |
| Offensive success rate | 42.1% | 39.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.107 | +0.156 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.055 | -0.133 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.052 | -0.018 |
| Defensive success rate | 60.5% | 57.9% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Minnesota Vikings generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Chicago Bears: 11 drives, -3.95 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +1.37 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Minnesota Vikings leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- A. Jeffery (Chicago Bears) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- J. Cutler (CHI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q1 56:03 · MIN 36 · Score 0-3
(11:03) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 48:53 · MIN 80 · Score 6-3
(3:53) (Punt formation) 16-P.O'Donnell punts 45 yards to MIN 35, Center-43-T.Gafford. 35-M.Sherels for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 48:37 · CHI 15 · Score 7-3
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 39:11 · CHI 25 · Score 10-3
(9:11) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke. - Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 30:49 · MIN 21 · Score 10-9
(:49) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left to 17-A.Jeffery for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 30:42 · MIN 15 · Score 10-10
9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell. - Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q3 23:33 · MIN 15 · Score 10-13
(8:33) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 13:34 · CHI 30 · Score 13-13
(13:34) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke. - Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 5:00 · MIN 4 · Score 13-19
(5:00) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler scrambles right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. - Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q4 4:55 · MIN 15 · Score 13-20
9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · CHI 40 · Score 19-20
(2:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 14-S.Diggs for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 1:49 · CHI 15 · Score 20-20
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · CHI 18 · Score 23-20
(:04) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears 23-20 in Week 8, 2015 on 2015-11-01.
What was the final score of Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears?
The final score was Minnesota Vikings 23, Chicago Bears 20 (MIN 23-20 CHI) in Week 8, 2015 on 2015-11-01.
What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears?
Q1: Minnesota Vikings 7, Chicago Bears 3; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 3, Chicago Bears 7; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 0, Chicago Bears 3; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 13, Chicago Bears 7; Final: Minnesota Vikings 23, Chicago Bears 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears?
Minnesota Vikings touchdown — M. Sherels (Q1 48:53) Chicago Bears touchdown — A. Jeffery (J. Cutler pass) (Q2 30:49) Chicago Bears touchdown — J. Cutler (Q4 5:00) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — S. Diggs (T. Bridgewater pass) (Q4 2:00) Chicago Bears field goal — R. Gould (Q1 56:03, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — B. Walsh (Q2 39:11, 3 pts) Chicago Bears field goal — R. Gould (Q3 23:33, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — B. Walsh (Q4 13:34, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — B. Walsh (Q4 0:04, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears?
J. Cutler (Chicago Bears), 61.1% completion, +6.4% CPOE, +0.16 EPA per dropback, +5.61 total passing EPA. T. Bridgewater (Minnesota Vikings), 50.0% completion, -1.5% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +3.62 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears?
A. Jeffery (Chicago Bears) led the game in total EPA with +7.81 on receiving plays. across 15 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.29 EPA): (3:53) (Punt formation) 16-P.O'Donnell punts 45 yards to MIN 35, Center-43-T.Gafford. 35-M.Sherels for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -19.7%.
Was Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Minnesota Vikings won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 4-2 Now 5-2 W
Chicago Bears
Entered 2-4 Now 2-5 L
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