Bears vs. Vikings results: Score, highlights from Minnesota's elimination from postseason contention

Jacob Janower

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Bears vs. Vikings results: Score, highlights from Minnesota's elimination from postseason contention image

With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the Vikings delivered arguably their worst offensive performance of the season in a 24-10 loss.  

Kirk Cousins threw for 132 yards but was thoroughly dominated by the Bears defense as Minnesota (8-7-1) got within three points in the third quarter but was never able to take the lead on Sunday. The Vikings were outgained 332-164 yards. 

MORE: Week 17 updates, highlights  | NFL playoff scenarios

The Bears (12-4), who gradually pulled their starters as the second half progressed, weren’t flashy but scored three rushing touchdowns — including two by Jordan Howard — to cruise to the victory.  

Chicago locked in the No. 3 seed in the playoffs and will face the Eagles, who surpassed the Vikings to make the postseason, at home.

Sporting News provided live updates from a Bears vs. Vikings game that prevented Minnesota from making the postseason.

Bears vs. Vikings: Score, live updates, highlights

(All times ET.)

Bears: 24
Vikings: 10

Final: Bears 24, Vikings 10

7:23 p.m.: Cousins heave on fourth down is incomplete and the Vikings will miss the postseason in 2018.

7:21 p.m.: The Vikings started to move the ball but Isaiah Irving comes up with a huge sack to push them back to the 40.

7:18 p.m.: The Vikings have the ball at their own 48-yard line as we have hit the two-minute warning. 

7:15 p.m.: Bears don't convert on fourth down and Minnesota will get the ball back with a last-ditch effort to try to cut the deficit.

7:11 p.m.: The fourth down pass is incomplete and that should do it. 

7:09 p.m.: Another incompletion by Cousins brings up a fourth down. Minnesota is now 1 of 10 on third downs. 

7:03 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, BEARS. Chicago gets just eight yards of offense but milks a lot of clock. Cody Parkey makes a field goal to extend the lead to 14 points. Minnesota has 4:25 left to score two touchdowns. Bears 24, Vikings 10

6:58 p.m.: Two straight passes, including one on fourth down, fall incomplete and the Bears are close to wrapping this one up.

6:51 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, BEARS. Tarik Cohen runs it in for a touchdown and the Bears' lead is back up to two possessions with 7:46 remaining. Trubisky hits linebacker, yes, linebacker, Nick Kwiatkoski for the two-point conversion. Bears 21, VIkings 10

6:49 p.m.: Another key conversion for the Bears as rookie Javon Wims makes a first down catch. The Bears have a first-and-goal.

6:45 p.m.: Trubisky finds Trey Burton for a first down and the Bears have the ball inside the red zone.

6:43 p.m.: Vikings get bit with a penalty after stopping with the Bears on third down, preventing them from getting the ball for the time being.

End of the third quarter: Bears 13, Vikings 10

6:27 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS. On first down, Cousins hits a wide open Stefon Diggs for a touchdown and the Vikings have cut this to a three-point game. Bears 13, Vikings 10

6:27 p.m.: The challenge stands but Cook picks up the first down on the next play anyway.

6:22 p.m.: Minnesota gets a first down on a fourth-and-1 but before the snap, Mike Zimmer threw the challenge flag to review the previous play. The review is looking at whether Dalvin Cook crossed the first down marker on his catch.

6:20 p.m.: Latavius Murray with a 20-yard run down to the 13-yard line and the Vikings have their best offensive chance of the game.

6:18 p.m.: For the second time of the drive the Bears are penalized on third down. This time it's a spot foul penalty on pass interference. 

6:15 p.m.: Vikings miss on another third down but Roquan Smith is flagged for a roughing the passer to keep the drive alive. 

6:03 p.m.: Despite the possibility of the Bears resting their starters, Trubisky is back out there for the second half. 

6:00 p.m.: Cousins and Thielen appear to be having a disagreement at the end of the first half. 

Halftime: Bears 13, Vikings 3

5:47 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, VIKINGS. Minnesota doesn't get the touchdown it wanted but settles for a field goal to get on the board. Bears 13, Vikings 3

5:43 p.m.: Minnesota catches a break as Cousins misses Adam Thielen deep on third down but safety Deon Bush delivers a hit to the head to make it a first down. 

5:36 p.m.: Minnesota gets an important stop before the two-minute warning. 

5:33 p.m.: The Vikings aren't playing like they have a lot on the line. Five drives, five punts. 

5:29 p.m.: With 6:08 to play in the second quarter, the Vikings have finally picked up a first down in this game. 

5:26 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, BEARS. One play after the touchdown pass Jordan Howard pounds it in for his second touchdown run of the game. Kicker Cody Parkey misses the extra point. Bears 13, Vikings 0

5:22 p.m.: Trubisky nearly had a great touchdown pass to Taylor Gabriel, but the wide receiver is ruled down at the 1-yard line.

5:18 p.m.: Bears take a delay of game and then have to call a timeout to avoid another. It looked like they would have to punt, but the Vikings are flagged for a roughing the passer on third down. 

5:08 p.m.: Cousins is sacked for the second time today as the Vikings nearly avoid a safety on third down. 

End of first quarter: Bears 7, Vikings 0

4:59 p.m.: Rarely used Kevin White makes a first down catch to keep the Bears drive alive, but they will punt after failing to move the sticks again.

4:52 p.m.: Make that three drives and no first downs for the Vikings. 

4:41 p.m.: Another three-and-out for the Vikings that includes a sack of Cousins. Minnesota nearly catches a break on a punt that's muffed by Tarik Cohen, but the returner recovers it. 

4:35 p.m. TOUCHDOWN, BEARS. The Bears move the ball efficiently on their first drive and get a rushing touchdown by Jordan Howard, but an injury to wide reciver Anthony Miller could be cause for some concern. Bears 7, VIkings 0

4:30 p.m.: Jordan Howard gashes the Vikings defense for 42 yards on the Bears second play from scrimmage. 

4:28 p.m.: Three straight passes and just one completion for Kirk Cousins and a three-and-out for the Vikings. 

4:26 p.m.: Cousins and the Vikings take the field and will start with the ball.

4:09 p.m.: So much on the line for Minnesota in this one. Vikings fans will temporarily become Redskins fans on Sunday as well.

3:40 p.m.:  Impressive one-handed work from some Bears receivers before the game.

3:01 p.m.:  Wide receiver Allen Robinson and Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson will miss the game for the Bears. 

Jacob Janower