Bears vs Vikings: The McMahon Miracle
Some incredible games have been played in the Bears’ rivalry with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings’ first NFL game was played in 1961 vs. Chicago, and Minnesota upset the heavily favored Bears 37-13. In 1968, the teams met at Wrigley Field in a see-saw game. Minnesota took a 24-23 lead late in the game on a Joe Kapp TD pass to Gene Washington. Bears rookie QB Virgil Carter led a methodical two-minute drive before Mac Percival booted a game-winning 47-yard field goal as time expired.
One of the most memorable games in the rivalry occurred on September 19, 1985, when the Bears traveled to Minnesota for a rare Thursday night game. Both teams had won their first two games.
In their week two victory over the New England Patriots, Bears QB Jim McMahon sustained a pinched nerve in his neck. McMahon was hospitalized for two days, as physicians used traction to ease the pain. Prior to the Thursday night game, coach Mike Ditka announced that backup QB Steve Fuller would start. McMahon would dress for the game, but Dikta was adamant that if McMahon couldn’t practice, he would not play.
At halftime, the Vikings led 10-6. Steve Fuller led the Bears offensively on the second half’s opening possession, but Chicago could only manage a field goal. Despite dominating the time of possession, the Bears trailed 10-9.
On the ensuing possession, Vikings’ QB Tommy Kramer led a 67-yard drive capped off by a 9-yard TD pass to Mike Jones. Midway through the 3rd quarter, the Bears trailed 17-9.
The McMahon Magic Strikes
The Bears next possession started at their own 30-yard line. Jim McMahon, who had been constantly bugging Ditka to put him in, entered the game. The first play call was supposed to be a screen pass to Payton. Minnesota blitzed on the play, sending two linebackers. As McMahon took the ball from under center, one defender came free up the middle. Payton launched himself into the linebacker to keep him off McMahon. As Jim righted himself after almost tripping as he dropped back, he looked downfield and found Willie Gault for a 70-yard touchdown.
Three plays later, Bears LB Wilbur Marshall intercepted Kramer and set up the offense at the Vikings 25-yard line. McMahon immediately went back to the air, this time finding Dennis McKinnon for his second TD in as many throws. Suddenly, the Bears led 23-17.
After a Vikings punt, Chicago lined up on their own 32, and McMahon once again found Gault streaking down the left side. The ball was slightly underthrown, and Willie did McMahon no favors as he misjudged the pass and the pass fell incomplete. But the drive continued with McMahon finding McKinnon for a 43-yard TD.
McMahon finished the third quarter with five completions on seven attempts, good for 166 yards and three TDs. Both incompletions were balls that should have been caught. The final score: Bears 33, Vikings 24.
News and Notes
Sunday’s game will be the 124th regular season meeting in the rivalry. Minnesota leads the series with 65 victories. Chicago has won 56 times. There have been two ties.
The Bears and Vikings have only met one time in the postseason. Chicago defeated the Vikings 35-18 during the 1994 playoffs.