Bad News This Time Not All About Bears

MINNEAPOLIS â€”  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.�