Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears: 2018 Week 11 Recap

Game story

In Week 11 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-11-18, the Chicago Bears took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 25–20 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with +2.77 total EPA, and +2.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, S. Diggs (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.94 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (1:02) 33-D.Cook left tackle to CHI 14 for no gain (52-K.Mack). FUMBLES (52-K.Mack), RECOVERED by CHI-52-K.Mack at CHI 15. 52-K.Mack to CHI 15 for no gain (82-K.Rudolph).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 S. Diggs · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +6.94 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.69 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Robinson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.69 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.84 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Trubisky · Chicago Bears · Passing · +3.30 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +2.77 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Gabriel · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Miller · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Burton · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.08 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Chicago Bears — A. Miller (M. Trubisky pass) (Q2 36:07)
• Chicago Bears — E. Jackson (Q4 8:38)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Robinson (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 4:55)
• Minnesota Vikings — S. Diggs (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 0:52)

Field goals

• Chicago Bears — C. Parkey (Q1 51:02)
• Chicago Bears — C. Parkey (Q2 30:55)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Bailey (Q3 15:11)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Bailey (Q4 11:51)
• Chicago Bears — C. Parkey (Q4 2:52)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 3–0. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the MIN 15 (Q1 51:02) — (6:02) 1-C.Parkey 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..

The second quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 11–0. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the MIN 18 (Q2 36:07) — (6:07) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass deep right to 17-A.Miller for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears registered a safety from the MIN 2 (Q2 36:00) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-M.Trubisky pass to 15-J.Bellamy is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the MIN 23 (Q2 30:55) — (:55) 1-C.Parkey 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 3–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the CHI 18 (Q3 15:11) — (:11) 5-D.Bailey 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 17–11. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the CHI 18 (Q4 11:51) — (11:51) 5-D.Bailey 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the CHI 89 (Q4 8:38); Chicago Bears registered a safety from the MIN 2 (Q4 8:30) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-M.Trubisky pass to 87-A.Shaheen is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the CHI 13 (Q4 4:55) — (4:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 17-A.Robinson for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings registered a safety from the CHI 1 (Q4 4:51) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-K.Cousins pass to 19-A.Thielen is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the MIN 30 (Q4 2:52) — (2:52) 1-C.Parkey 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the CHI 5 (Q4 0:52) — (:52) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 14-S.Diggs for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 46:02) — (1:02) 33-D.Cook left tackle to CHI 14 for no gain (52-K.Mack). FUMBLES (52-K.Mack), RECOVERED by CHI-52-K.Mack at CHI 15. 52-K.Mack to CHI 15 for no gain (82-K.Rudolph). [WPA -18.8% · EPA -5.32]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 49:41) — (4:41) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass incomplete deep right to 11-L.Treadwell. PENALTY on CHI-23-K.Fuller, Defensive Pass Interference, 15 yards, enforced at MIN 47 - No Play. [WPA +10.3% · EPA +1.79]
• Chicago Bears (Q4 14:28) — (14:28) (Shotgun) 29-T.Cohen left guard to CHI 33 for -1 yards (94-J.Johnson). FUMBLES (94-J.Johnson), RECOVERED by MIN-22-H.Smith at CHI 29. 22-H.Smith to CHI 29 for no gain (65-C.Whitehair). [WPA -8.6% · EPA -5.15]
• Chicago Bears (Q2 44:19) — (14:19) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass deep middle intended for 18-T.Gabriel INTERCEPTED by 41-A.Harris at MIN 32. 41-A.Harris to MIN 32 for no gain (18-T.Gabriel). [WPA -8.3% · EPA -3.29]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 12:33) — (12:33) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins sacked at CHI 18 for -8 yards (96-A.Hicks). [WPA -8.0% · EPA -1.91]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 8:38) — (8:38) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right intended for 11-L.Treadwell INTERCEPTED by 39-E.Jackson at MIN 27. 39-E.Jackson for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -7.5% · EPA -7.08]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 46:02) — (1:02) 33-D.Cook left tackle to CHI 14 for no gain (52-K.Mack). FUMBLES (52-K.Mack), RECOVERED by CHI-52-K.Mack at CHI 15. 52-K.Mack to CHI 15 for no gain (82-K.Rudolph). [WPA -18.8% · EPA -5.32]
• Chicago Bears (Q3 18:37) — (3:37) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass deep left intended for 12-A.Robinson II INTERCEPTED by 41-A.Harris at MIN 36. 41-A.Harris to CHI 31 for 33 yards (78-B.Witzmann). [WPA -5.2% · EPA -5.15]
• Chicago Bears (Q4 14:28) — (14:28) (Shotgun) 29-T.Cohen left guard to CHI 33 for -1 yards (94-J.Johnson). FUMBLES (94-J.Johnson), RECOVERED by MIN-22-H.Smith at CHI 29. 22-H.Smith to CHI 29 for no gain (65-C.Whitehair). [WPA -8.6% · EPA -5.15]

Quarterback report card

K.Cousins led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• K.Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 54 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · +2.6% CPOE · +0.05 EPA/play · +2.77 total EPA
• M.Trubisky (Chicago Bears) · 40 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.4% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +3.30 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Chicago Bears held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.01 vs -0.08), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Chicago Bears: 12 drives, -0.90 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, -6.41 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Chicago Bears 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.
• S. Diggs (Minnesota Vikings) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q1 51:02 · MIN 15 · Score 0-3
   (6:02) 1-C.Parkey 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
2. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 36:07 · MIN 18 · Score 0-9
   (6:07) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass deep right to 17-A.Miller for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Chicago Bears Safety (+2) — Q2 36:00 · MIN 2 · Score 0-11
   (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-M.Trubisky pass to 15-J.Bellamy is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
4. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 30:55 · MIN 23 · Score 0-14
   (:55) 1-C.Parkey 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
5. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 15:11 · CHI 18 · Score 3-14
   (:11) 5-D.Bailey 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.
6. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 11:51 · CHI 18 · Score 6-14
   (11:51) 5-D.Bailey 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.
7. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 8:38 · CHI 89 · Score 6-20
   (8:38) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right intended for 11-L.Treadwell INTERCEPTED by 39-E.Jackson at MIN 27. 39-E.Jackson for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Chicago Bears Safety (+2) — Q4 8:30 · MIN 2 · Score 6-22
   TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-M.Trubisky pass to 87-A.Shaheen is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
9. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 4:55 · CHI 13 · Score 12-22
   (4:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 17-A.Robinson for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Minnesota Vikings Safety (+2) — Q4 4:51 · CHI 1 · Score 14-22
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-K.Cousins pass to 19-A.Thielen is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
11. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q4 2:52 · MIN 30 · Score 14-25
    (2:52) 1-C.Parkey 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
12. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 0:52 · CHI 5 · Score 20-25
    (:52) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 14-S.Diggs for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.