Fans rip Bears over late-game decision vs. Vikings

Published: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 6:36 am

Bears' Late-Game Blunder Costs Them Victory Against Vikings

Chicago Bears fans are expressing their frustration after a late-game decision contributed to a 27-24 loss against the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears, coming off a disappointing 5-12 season, appeared poised for a season-opening victory, particularly after holding Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy in check for much of the game. A pick-six in the third quarter extended their lead to 17-6.

However, the Vikings mounted a comeback, with McCarthy finding his rhythm and leading Minnesota to a 27-17 lead with just under three minutes remaining. The Bears responded with a touchdown, narrowing the gap to three points with over two minutes left.

The pivotal moment came after the touchdown. Instead of instructing kicker Cairo Santos to kick the ball out of bounds, the Bears opted for a touchback. This decision forced the team to use their final timeout to stop the clock on the Vikings' subsequent drive. Had the ball been kicked out of bounds, the clock would have remained at 2:02, and the Bears would have had the ball on the 40-yard line after the two-minute warning, potentially setting up a more favorable offensive opportunity.

The Bears' late-game strategy backfired, and the Vikings were able to run out the clock, securing the win. The decision has drawn heavy criticism on social media, with fans and analysts questioning the coaching staff's judgment. Many pointed to the missed opportunity to maintain possession and potentially mount a game-winning drive. Kicker Cairo Santos also became a target of criticism, with some fans commenting on his perceived inability to kick the ball out of the endzone.

BNN's Perspective: While the Bears' late-game decision was undoubtedly questionable, it's important to remember that this is just the first game of the season. The team has plenty of time to learn from this experience and refine its decision-making process. The focus should be on addressing the issues and improving performance in the coming weeks.

Keywords: Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, football, game, loss, decision, Cairo Santos, JJ McCarthy, social media, fans, criticism, coaching, strategy, touchback, timeout, offense, defense, season, victory, blunder

Full Story