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CHICAGO (AP) – Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes, and the Minnesota Vikings beat the now short-staffed Chicago Bears 17-9 on Monday.
The Vikings (7-7), part of a small group of teams competing for one of seven spots in the National Conference playoffs, were heading to their most uneven victory before Justin Fields threw a touchdown pass to Jesper. Horsted on the final play of the match.
Minnesota withstood several scoring threats from Chicago down the stretch after a close win over Pittsburgh in which they nearly blew a 29-0 lead.
Given the state of the Bears (4-10), the result was not a surprise. Chicago lost for the eighth time in nine games, and with 14 players on the COVID-19 reserve list, that seemed inevitable. Receiver Allen Robinson was in it.
Health problems also affected the coaching staff, with all three coordinators testing positive for coronavirus in the week. Defensive coordinator Sean Desai was cleared to return hours before the game started.
Cousins completed 12 of 24 passes for 87 yards with an interception and was sacked four times. The two-time Pro Bowler also connected with Justin Jefferson for a 12-yard touchdown in the first quarter and threw a 7-yard touchdown to Ihmir Smith-Marsette in the third. Dalvin Cook rushed for 89 yards.
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