Vikings top Bears 9-3 as defense and Reichard control soggy contest in Chicago
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears 9-3 in a rain-affected game on Sept. 20, 2026, in Chicago, with the Vikings’ defense and kicker Will Reichard providing all the scoring. The AP reported the victory improved Minnesota to 2-0 while the Bears fell to 1-1. Aaron Rodgers and Dallas Turner were credited with helping the Vikings shut down the Bears’ offense. The wet conditions limited offensive opportunities for both teams.
All scoring came via field goals. Reichard converted three for Minnesota from 35, 49 and 39 yards, while Chicago’s only points came on a 50-yard field goal by Cairo Santos. The drives that set up Reichard’s kicks covered 55, 33 and 67 yards, and Chicago’s scoring drive covered 37 yards, per the AP play-by-play. Neither team reached the end zone in the low-scoring contest.
Aaron Rodgers and Dallas Turner helped the Vikings maintain pressure on Chicago throughout the game, according to the AP. Turner brought down Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent on one play and celebrated afterward. The combination of Minnesota’s defensive pressure and the rainy conditions forced the Bears into conservative play-calling. Chicago managed only one sustained scoring drive in the game.
The win underscored Minnesota’s ability to convert defensive stops into points while Chicago struggled to sustain drives beyond the 50-yard field goal. Reichard’s reliability provided the margin in difficult weather. The Vikings will carry a 2-0 mark forward, and the Bears, 1-1 and 0-1 at home, will need to generate more consistent offense to avoid similar outcomes. The game highlighted the value of field position and special teams in adverse conditions.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Minnesota’s defense set the tone and kept Chicago out of the end zone, allowing Will Reichard’s three field goals to decide a gritty, rain-affected game. The Bears produced just one scoring drive, which resulted in a long field goal rather than points in the red zone. The Vikings showed that stout defense and dependable kicking can win close games in poor weather. Chicago must improve sustained offensive execution if it hopes to convert drives into touchdowns going forward.