Vikings 17–9 Bears: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 15, 2021

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears?

J. Fields (Chicago Bears), 55.3% completion, +5.9% CPOE, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +0.78 total passing EPA. K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings), 38.7% completion, -3.9% CPOE, -0.13 EPA per dropback, -4.11 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears?

J. Horsted (Chicago Bears) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.92 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 1 snaps. Their top snap (+4.92 EPA): (:01) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left to 87-J.Horsted for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Quick answer

Winner: Minnesota Vikings
Final score: Minnesota Vikings 17–9 Chicago Bears
Halftime: Minnesota Vikings 10–3 Chicago Bears at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Jesper Horsted
Top passer: Justin Fields
Biggest EPA play: (14:54) 3-J.Berry punts 43 yards to CHI 33, Center-42-A.DePaola. 10-D.Byrd MUFFS catch, RE…
Game date: 2021-12-20

Game summary

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears 17–9 on 2021-12-20. Jesper Horsted posted a game-high +4.92 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 7 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Minnesota Vikings	7	3	7	0	0	17
Chicago Bears	0	3	0	6	0	9

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

MINMinnesota Vikings

CHI 12

+3MIN 16

CHI 7

MIN 19

CHIChicago Bears

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

7 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 5:09TD
Jordan Jefferson
Points+6
Yard line
CHI 12
Score
6-0
(5:09) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 18-J.Jefferson for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 5:03XP
Greg Joseph
Points+1
Yard line
CHI 15
Score
7-0
1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 13:32FG
Greg Joseph
Points+3
Yard line
CHI 19
Score
10-0
(13:32) 1-G.Joseph 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
CHIChicago Bears
Q2 1:37FG
Cairo Santos
Points+3
Yard line
MIN 16
Score
10-3
(1:37) 2-C.Santos 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 5:55TD
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Points+6
Yard line
CHI 7
Score
16-3
(5:55) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 15-I.Smith-Marsette for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 5:51XP
Greg Joseph
Points+1
Yard line
CHI 15
Score
17-3
1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
CHIChicago Bears
Q4 0:01TD
Jesper Horsted
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 19
Score
17-9
(:01) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left to 87-J.Horsted for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Jesper Horsted · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +4.92 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.92 EPA/play
2Kene Nwangwu · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +1.87 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
3K.J. Osborn · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.63 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
4D.J. Montgomery · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.50 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
5Ihmir Smith-Marsette · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.26 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
6Jordan Jefferson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.04 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
7Damiere Byrd · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.03 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
8Khalil Herbert · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +0.98 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Jesper Horsted — CHI · Receiving

Jesper Horsted posted the highest total EPA (+4.92) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Chicago Bears. Across 1 counted snaps, they averaged +4.92 EPA per play.

Jesper Horsted's top snap (+4.92 EPA): (:01) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left to 87-J.Horsted for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (+5.25 EPA): J. Berry — (14:54) 3-J.Berry punts 43 yards to CHI 33, Center-42-A.DePaola. 10-D.Byrd MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by MIN-29-K.Boyd at CHI 37.

Quarterback report card

Justin Fields led all passers in efficiency for Chicago Bears, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Justin Fields (Chicago Bears) · 47 dropbacks · 55.3% completion · +5.9% CPOE · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.78 total EPA
Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 31 dropbacks · 38.7% completion · -3.9% CPOE · -0.13 EPA/play · -4.11 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Minnesota Vikings	Chicago Bears
Offensive EPA/play	-0.031	-0.163
Offensive success rate	37.5%	44.6%
Pass EPA/play	-0.133	+0.017
Rush EPA/play	+0.011	-0.532
Defensive EPA/play	+0.163	+0.031
Defensive success rate	55.4%	62.5%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Minnesota Vikings generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.03 vs -0.16), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Minnesota Vikings: -0.03 EPA/play (43rd percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
Chicago Bears: -0.16 EPA/play (17th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)

Chicago Bears: 11 drives, -13.51 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Minnesota Vikings: 12 drives, -2.46 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Minnesota Vikings — Jordan Jefferson (Kirk Cousins pass) (Q1 5:09)
Minnesota Vikings — Ihmir Smith-Marsette (Kirk Cousins pass) (Q3 5:55)
Chicago Bears — Jesper Horsted (Justin Fields pass) (Q4 0:01)

Field goals

Minnesota Vikings — Greg Joseph (Q2 13:32)
Chicago Bears — Cairo Santos (Q2 1:37)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the CHI 12 (Q1 5:09) — (5:09) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 18-J.Jefferson for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q1 5:03) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the CHI 19 (Q2 13:32) — (13:32) 1-G.Joseph 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the MIN 16 (Q2 1:37) — (1:37) 2-C.Santos 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the CHI 7 (Q3 5:55) — (5:55) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 15-I.Smith-Marsette for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q3 5:51) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry..

The fourth quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 6–0. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the MIN 19 (Q4 0:01) — (:01) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left to 87-J.Horsted for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Chicago Bears (Q2 9:09) — (9:09) 32-D.Montgomery right end to MIN 12 for -2 yards (90-S.Richardson). Penalty on CHI-83-D.Newsome, Offensive Offside, declined. Minnesota challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the [WPA -12.9% · EPA -4.53]
Minnesota Vikings (Q1 8:20) — (8:20) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 18-J.Jefferson to CHI 34 for 18 yards (23-M.Christian; 37-T.Tabor). [WPA +10.3% · EPA +2.52]
Chicago Bears (Q1 2:44) — (2:44) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields right end to MIN 46 for 1 yard (27-C.Dantzler). FUMBLES (27-C.Dantzler), RECOVERED by MIN-55-A.Barr at MIN 47. 55-A.Barr to MIN 47 for no gain (11-D.Mooney). [WPA -10.2% · EPA -4.71]
Minnesota Vikings (Q2 0:59) — (:59) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right intended for 18-J.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Bush at CHI 34. 26-D.Bush to MIN 39 for 27 yards (72-E.Cleveland). [WPA -9.9% · EPA -2.14]
Minnesota Vikings (Q3 10:17) — (10:17) (Shotgun) 33-D.Cook left tackle to MIN 20 for 5 yards (37-T.Tabor). PENALTY on CHI-37-T.Tabor, Low Block, 15 yards, enforced at MIN 20. [WPA +9.4% · EPA +3.03]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Minnesota Vikings (Q4 14:54) — (14:54) 3-J.Berry punts 43 yards to CHI 33, Center-42-A.DePaola. 10-D.Byrd MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by MIN-29-K.Boyd at CHI 37. [WPA +2.5% · EPA +5.25]
Chicago Bears (Q4 0:01) — (:01) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left to 87-J.Horsted for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -0.2% · EPA +4.92]
Chicago Bears (Q1 2:44) — (2:44) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields right end to MIN 46 for 1 yard (27-C.Dantzler). FUMBLES (27-C.Dantzler), RECOVERED by MIN-55-A.Barr at MIN 47. 55-A.Barr to MIN 47 for no gain (11-D.Mooney). [WPA -10.2% · EPA -4.71]
Chicago Bears (Q2 9:09) — (9:09) 32-D.Montgomery right end to MIN 12 for -2 yards (90-S.Richardson). Penalty on CHI-83-D.Newsome, Offensive Offside, declined. Minnesota challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the [WPA -12.9% · EPA -4.53]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 5:09 · CHI 12 · Score 6-0
(5:09) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 18-J.Jefferson for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 5:03 · CHI 15 · Score 7-0
1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 13:32 · CHI 19 · Score 10-0
(13:32) 1-G.Joseph 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 1:37 · MIN 16 · Score 10-3
(1:37) 2-C.Santos 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 5:55 · CHI 7 · Score 16-3
(5:55) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 15-I.Smith-Marsette for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 5:51 · CHI 15 · Score 17-3
1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 0:01 · MIN 19 · Score 17-9
(:01) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left to 87-J.Horsted for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Key takeaways

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

Minnesota Vikings earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
Jesper Horsted (Chicago Bears) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Justin Fields (CHI) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Kirk Cousins (MIN) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears on 2021-12-20?

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears 17-9 in Week 15, 2021.

What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears?

Q1: Minnesota Vikings 7, Chicago Bears 0; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 3, Chicago Bears 3; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 7, Chicago Bears 0; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 0, Chicago Bears 6; Final: Minnesota Vikings 17, Chicago Bears 9.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears?

Minnesota Vikings touchdown — J. Jefferson (K. Cousins pass) (Q1 5:09) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — I. Smith-Marsette (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 5:55) Chicago Bears touchdown — J. Horsted (J. Fields pass) (Q4 0:01) Minnesota Vikings field goal — G. Joseph (Q2 13:32, 3 pts) Chicago Bears field goal — C. Santos (Q2 1:37, 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?

Justin Fields (Chicago Bears), 55.3% completion, +5.9% CPOE, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +0.78 total passing EPA. Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings), 38.7% completion, -3.9% CPOE, -0.13 EPA per dropback, -4.11 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears?

Jesper Horsted (Chicago Bears) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.92 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 1 snaps. Their top snap (+4.92 EPA): (:01) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left to 87-J.Horsted for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Season records after this game

Minnesota Vikings

Entered 6-7 Now 7-7 W

Chicago Bears

Entered 4-9 Now 4-10 L

Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears: 2021 Week 15 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

Top fantasy performers · Bears

Quick answer

Game summary