Step across the street from Soldier Field in Chicago and you will find the Field Museum, one of the largest natural history museums in the world and home to an extensive collection of rare and ancient artifacts.
During their annual field trip to the Windy City on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings unearthed something previously undiscovered in their rivalry with the Chicago Bears. Amidst an unrelenting, fog-choked rain, neither side was able to cross the goal line, but the Vikings made enough plays – especially on defense and special teams – to come away with a 9-3 victory.
The outcome marked the lowest-scoring final in the history of the series between Minnesota (2-0) and Chicago (1-1). It also became the 42nd time since 2000 that an NFL regular-season game finished with zero touchdowns scored by either team, per NFL research. Additionally, Sunday's contest was the eighth such occurrence in franchise history for the Vikings (7-1 record), with the previous seven listed below:
– 1971: 3-0 W vs. Green Bay in Week 9
– 1973: 11-3 W vs. Green Bay in Week 3
– 1977: 9-3 W at Tampa Bay in Week 2
– 1988: 12-3 W vs. Indianapolis in Week 12
– 1992: 6-3 W at Pittsburgh in Week 16
– 2006: 9-3 L at San Francisco in Week 9
– 2023: 3-0 W at Las Vegas in Week 14
View game action photos from the Vikings Week 2 game vs. the Bears at Soldier Field.
According to NFL research, the 56-point change between points scored by the Bears from Week 1 to Week 2 is the second-largest drop in points by a team in the first two weeks of a season in league history. Per Sportradar, the only other teams with a point drop of 56-plus across two games are the 1920 Rochester Jeffersons (66 to 0 from Weeks 3 to 4), the 1973 Atlanta Falcons (62 to 0 from Weeks 1 to 2) and the 1934 Philadelphia Eagles (64 to 7 from Weeks 9 to 10).
The victory not only extended Minnesota's road win streak in Chicago (and overall win streak dating back to last season) to seven consecutive games, it gave the Vikings an early division lead. It also provided Minnesota with a boost in this week's Power Rankings, with the biggest jump being seven spots.
Here's a look at where the Vikings landed heading into Week 3:
No. 15 (up 7 spots): Nick Shook – NFL.com
For a second straight week, Brian Flores' blitz-happy unit carried Minnesota to victory, wreaking havoc in rainy Chicago and forcing timely takeaways that allowed the Vikings to win one of the ugliest games we'll see all season. As the saying goes, defense wins championships. And until a team solves Flores' scheme, Minnesota will command respect on a weekly basis.
No. 11 (up 4 spots): Gary Davenport – Bleacher Report
That score admittedly looks more like the Twins played the White Sox than an NFL game, but Mother Nature decided to batter Chicago on Sunday, so the Bears and Vikings played in the slop at Soldier Field.
And for the second time in as many weeks, the Vikings found a way to win.
Last week, it was without quarterback Kyler Murray. In Week 2, it was without Murray and running back Jordan Mason. Carson Wentz didn't do much through the air Sunday, but he avoided mistakes. Minnesota rode Aaron Jones, Sr., (23 carries, 105 yards) and a stout defensive effort to status as the NFC North's lone unbeaten team.
Mind you, the Vikings have done this against a pair of playoff teams from a year ago. With the Buccaneers and hapless Dolphins next up, Minnesota can build a real head of steam — if Murray can pick up where Wentz left off.
No. 6 (up 7 spots): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports
The dominant defense, led by Brian Flores, is carrying this team. They get Kyler Murray back this week vs. Tampa Bay.
No. 9 (up 7 spots): Nate Davis – USA Today
Let's not lose sight of the fact that [the Vikings] were handling Chicago before QB Caleb Williams went down.
No. 10 (up 5 spots): Josh Kendall and Chad Graff – The Athletic
People are starting to learn about [Domonique] Orange and fellow rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks, Minnesota's first-round pick. The Vikings get bonus points for playing fifth-round tight end Max Bredeson at fullback.
No. 8 (up 7 spots): Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated
Brian Flores is averaging a blitz rate well over 70% through two weeks, but I don't think we'll ever quite understand how precise these calls are. Rewatch the end of that Bears game and notice how he has the Vikings best pass rusher on the Bears most vulnerable pass blocker and how consistent he can attain these matchups through honed chaos.
No. 8 (up 7 spots): Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News
Carson Wentz hasn't lit it up since taking over for Kyler Murray, but he's managed situations as well as possible with the defense flying around and making a ton of big plays for a game-and-a-half. With the Buccaneers, Dolphins, Saints and Colts over the next the month, the Vikings can stay hot with their D going to Detroit to start November.
No. 10 (up 7 spots): Frank Schwab – Yahoo! Sports
Edge rusher Dallas Turner seems to be having a breakout in his third season. He leads the NFL in pressures (20), QB hits (8) and PFF's pass rush productivity score. With the Bears at the 12-yard line, trailing 9-3, Turner had a sack on the final play of the game to seal the win. Turner was the 17th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he is playing up to that draft status.
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