MINNEAPOLIS — Aaron Jones, Sr., hit some benchmark numbers against the Bears, but the digits that matter most?

Minnesota winning 30-12 and improving to 12-2 on the season.

The Vikings actually clinched a playoff berth the previous evening when Green Bay defeated Seattle, but Jones noted it didn't lessen Minnesota's intensity heading into Monday Night Football.

"We talked about it yesterday; we secured the playoffs, but that's just another [checked] box," Jones said. "We've got a lot more boxes to check, and we'll continue to play one game at a time."

The Vikings took things one play at a time against Chicago, overcoming a handful of missteps throughout the evening by staying focused and executing when it mattered most.

Minnesota stayed committed to the run throughout all four quarters, and it especially paid off in the second half. Jones got the ball seven times in one series partway through the third quarter and helped the Vikings carve away — including with runs of 8, 9 and 14 yards — en route to the Legacy Gates end zone.

On first-and-goal from the 1, Jones took the handoff again and got into the paint, giving Minnesota a 20-3 lead and a lot more breathing room. He leapt up toward the stands for his "Bank Vault" celebration but didn't quite make it over the top of the higher wall. Instead, he hung from the ledge with one hand and pivoted for a quick photo op.

"I was a little tired," he admitted, laughing. "But I improved and did a little Spider-Man out there, and then I tried to do a little Salsa/Bachata [dance]."

Jones' touchdown marked the 50^th regular-season rushing score of his career and 70^th overall.

"It means a lot," he said. "Fifty, I feel like that's a good milestone. Touchdowns are not easy to score in the NFL, so none of those are taken for granted. But the hard work and preparation pays off when you get in the end zone. And 70 on the career, too. I'm trying to get to that 100 club, but I'll just keep working. It's a great feeling."

Fifty proved a significant number for the Vikings running backs Monday, as Cam Akers played in his 50^th career game and also got in the scoring column.

Akers also recorded a 1-yard touchdown, thanks in part to a second effort by fullback C.J. Ham.

"He pulled me in there. C.J. got me in," Akers said, grinning. "It's just a blessing to touch the paint and be a spark for this team — help us get over that hump and put even more points on the board."

Akers totaled 10 carries for 24 yards, including getting loose for an 11-yard run in the first quarter.

Jones finished the night with 18 carries for 86 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per attempt in the second half compared to 4.1 in the first. He added two catches for 20 receiving yards, most notably converting a third-and-17 at the end of the first quarter.

Quarterback Sam Darnold connected with Jones, who not only secured the catch but somehow maneuvered his way another 10 yards for the first down. The play enabled the Vikings offense to extend their drive another five minutes, tiring the Bears defense while relieving their own.

Jones wasn't the only one to flash on third down, either.

Darnold found T.J. Hockenson for third-down completions three different times, and on a fourth they drew a pass interference penalty on Chicago's Kevin Byard III.

Hockenson totaled five catches for 52 yards on the evening. His first three receptions, the final gaining 16 on third-and-15, all occurred on a drive capped by a 31-yard field goal just before halftime. He logged another two grabs on back-to-back plays, followed soon by the penalty, on the Jones' touchdown series.

Darnold called Jones and Hockenson "unbelievable" in critical situations.

"Those guys, to be in the spots they were in and be a really good presence on a checkdown, to be able to go and get that first down the way they did … was very crucial in the game," he said.

The Vikings didn't rely on explosive plays, their longest being a 21-yard catch by Justin Jefferson, but found ways to be effective offensively nonetheless.

Hockenson noted that they adjusted to the Bears defense playing them differently this time around than they did in Week 12.

"They played a lot of 3 Carry in the first game … and this week they were playing a lot of 2, trying to keep us in front of them," he explained. "And you know, when they do that, we've gotta dink and doink a little bit in order to get our looks.

"Obviously we see things each week that are different from what we're scouting or what we see on tape," Hockenson added. "There's just so many high-powered guys and guys you've gotta watch with J.A. (Jordan Addison), Jets (Jefferson), me, Aaron, Speedy (Jalen Nailor) has been in the mix. We've got a lot of guys that can go out there and make plays, and it's tough on the defense."

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell also commented on responding to Chicago's defense, particularly in the run game.

"We got a lot of five-DB groupings to the 12 personnel groupings," he said. "It became that kind of night where we were going to be able to get some runs off.

"Credit them," O'Connell added. "They're physical. It's a good defense. A lot of talented players over there."

In the receiving game, Jefferson led the way with seven catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, followed by Addison's seven catches for 63 yards.

Darnold was 24-of-40 passing for 231 yards and the touchdown with one interception. His passer rating was 74.1.

O'Connell acknowledged there were a couple errant passes by Darnold but also emphasized how well the QB has played — and continues to play.

"He's set an incredibly high standard for himself, so I think everybody, me included sometimes, when either somebody is open or he's able to stride into one and doesn't throw an absolute strike — it's a pretty good standard to set for yourself when you're kind of wondering what happened at that point," O'Connell said. "But I thought he battled. I thought he showed his athleticism again. There were some big-time ops.

"He continues to execute at a high level," he added. "He will continue to improve, but Sam is doing a great job."

Darnold and the Vikings will now turn their attention to Seattle, before playing back-to-back divisional games against the Packers and Lions to close out the regular season.

But for now, they're focused solely on the Seahawks.

"We take it one game at a time," Hockenson said. "That's one thing I love about [O'Connell], love about this program. We take it one play at a time, one game at a time.

"He (O'Connell) doesn't talk about the division, he doesn't talk about anything past this week, and that's why he's such a good coach," Hockenson added. "He keeps you in the moment and keeps you where your feet are."