Chicago Bears beat Vikings 19-17 on dramatic last-second field goal, clinch NFC North lead

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By: Daniel Harris

Cairo Santos drilled a 48-yard field goal as time expired. The Chicago Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings 19-17 on November 16, 2025. This dramatic victory moves the Bears to 7-3 and into first place of the NFC North. The U.S. Bank Stadium crowd couldn’t believe it.

🔥 Quick Facts:

  • Final Score: Bears 19, Vikings 17 on November 16
  • Game-Winning Moment: Cairo Santos’ 48-yard FG with no time remaining
  • Key Play: Devin Duvernay returned kickoff 56 yards in final minute
  • Bears Record: Now 7-3, claiming NFC North lead
  • Streak: Third consecutive win for Chicago

How the Bears Pulled Off the Comeback

The Minnesota Vikings looked poised for victory on Sunday at home. They scored the go-ahead touchdown with just 50 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Nobody expected what came next.

This is where Devin Duvernay changed everything. His electric 56-yard kickoff return positioned the ball perfectly. The Bears took over at the Vikings’ 40-yard line. Just seconds ticked away, and the pressure mounted.

Cairo Santos stepped up for his fourth field goal of the game. The kick was true. The ball sailed through the uprights as the clock hit zero. 19-17. The Bears escaped with an improbable comeback victory.

“The Bears are all take and no give these days.”

ESPN, Game Recap

Chicago Takes Control of the NFC North

This victory is huge for Chicago’s playoff hopes. The Bears improved their record to 7-3 with this win. They now sit alone in first place of the NFC North division.

Consider where the Bears stood just a few weeks ago. Doubts surrounded the team. Questions about Caleb Williams and the offense filled sports talk. Now the narrative has completely shifted.

The Green Bay Packers sit at 6-3-1, just half a game back. The Detroit Lions are 6-4. The Vikings dropped to 4-6. But right now, the Bears own the division. This is their moment.

Game Statistics and Key Details

The game came down to special teams and clutch execution. Cairo Santos proved why he’s essential to this team. He connected on four field goals in the game.

Stat Category Chicago Bears Minnesota Vikings
Final Score 19 17
Field Goals 4 (Cairo Santos) TBA
Winning Play 48-yard FG as time expired Late TD, fell short
Location U.S. Bank Stadium U.S. Bank Stadium
Week Week 11 Week 11

Devin Duvernay was the unsung hero here. His late-game special teams play changed everything. Without his 56-yard return, the Bears don’t have time to line up and kick the winner.

What This Means for the Rest of the Season

The Chicago Bears now have momentum heading into the second half of the season. They’re 7-3 and in playoff position. Their remaining schedule will test them.

Here’s what could happen next:

  • Bears finish strong and clinch the NFC North title
  • Tight division race goes down to the final weeks
  • Multiple NFC teams fight for wild card positions
  • Caleb Williams continues proving doubters wrong
  • Cairo Santos remains the difference in close games

Seven games remain on the schedule. Every win matters now.

Is This the Real Chicago Bears Team We’ll See?

The question now is simple: Can they keep this up? The Bears have shown incredible resilience against the Vikings. But can they sustain this play against tougher opponents?

Watch the official highlights to see how this dramatic final moment unfolded:

Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings Full Game Highlights | Week 11

The Bears are building something in Chicago. With Caleb Williams at quarterback and Cairo Santos making clutch kicks, they’re positioning themselves for a deep playoff run.

Sources

  • ESPN – Official game recap and statistics
  • NFL.com – Week 11 highlights and coverage
  • Chicago Bears Official – Team game recap and analysis

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