Bad News This Time Not All About Bears

MINNEAPOLIS —  The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings continued their surprising play Sunday. That was good for the Bears and bad for the Vikings.

The upstart Bears edged the disappointing Vikings, 24-22, by forcing five turnovers and turning three of them into touchdowns.

Chicago improved to 3-2 under first-year coach Dick Jauron. Minnesota, which reached the NFC championship game last season, is 2-3.

“We made a statement,” Bear cornerback Terry Cousin said. “Everybody remembered what happened last year [when the Bears lost to the Vikings, 48-22, at the Metrodome].”

But this is a Bear team with a new style and a swagger.

“I think what should have happened out there today happened,” Jauron said matter-of-factly. “It’s a big step for us, not only a win on the road but in the division.”

Until Chris Walsh’s 18-yard touchdown reception with two seconds left--the Vikings were offsides on the ensuing onside kick--Minnesota had failed to score a touchdown in seven trips inside the Bear 25.

Jeff Jaeger, kicking with a injured hip, missed three field goals but made a 41-yarder for the final Bear points. Chicago also intercepted three Randall Cunningham passes and forced tight end Jim Kleinsasser to fumble twice, recovering one in the end zone for a touchdown.

Bear quarterback Shane Matthews completed 19 of 28 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions before leaving the game in the third quarter with a pulled hamstring.

Rookie Cade McNown played the rest of the game, completing nine of 14 passes for 97 yards with no interceptions.

“A lot wasn’t asked of me,” McNown said. “We already had the lead and the defense was playing strong and you just go in there and hand the ball off to guys like Curtis Enis.”