01-14-2020, 05:50 AM
MINNEAPOLIS - Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears had the ball back with one last chance.The defence had just stonewalled Minnesotas Matt Asiata at the 3-yard line on both third-and-1 and fourth-and-1, leaving the lead for the Vikings at four points with 2:53 left. Cutler even ran for 22 yards on the first play, giving the Bears some space and a spark.Then, in a fitting finish to this forgettable year, came the familiar mistakes. Three penalties, an incompletion and three too-short passes later, the Vikings took possession again with three kneel-downs all that remained.Teddy Bridgewater threw the go-ahead 44-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thielen in the third quarter, and the Vikings hung on for a 13-9 victory on Sunday to slap one more blemish on a bad season for the Bears.We were kind of shooting ourselves in the foot like weve been doing the entire year, which is something that needs to change if we want to continue to play in this league and win some games, running back Matt Forte said.Coach Marc Trestmans opportunity to effect such changes might have ended.After losing the last two games of 2013 to fall to 8-8 and hand the NFC North title to Green Bay, the Bears (5-11) finished 2014 with their worst record in 10 years. Trestman said he expected to return.Im not going to stand up here and try to make a case for myself. I believe in what Im doing, and I believe I have the answers to help us get better, Trestman said. I feel strongly about that, and I love this team and I love the players in this locker room.The Vikings (7-9) finally gave coach Mike Zimmer an interdivision win in the final game of his first season.Blair Walsh kicked two field goals, linebacker Audie Cole had 11 tackles, three assists and a pass breakup in his first start of the season and Bridgewater went 17 for 25 for 209 yards to finish 6-6 as a starter in his rookie year.Bridgewater finished the season a 64.4 completion rate, the third-highest by a rookie in NFL history behind Ben Roethlisberger (66.4) and Robert Griffin III (65.6).The players on the football team, the coaches, the organization, hopefully the fans, believe in this kid, Zimmer said.Here are some key nuggets to know about the game:CUTLER FUTURECutler finished turnover-free for only the third time in 15 games this season. But considering his 18 interceptions thrown, six lost fumbles and average of 6.8 yards per attempt, the second-worst of his career, the Bears could also decide to move on from their quarterback despite the hefty contract extension they gave him almost a year ago.I would like to be back. I said that a couple of weeks ago. But whatever happens, well deal with it then and make plans accordingly, Cutler said.FORTE RECORDThe bright spot for the Bears in this game was Forte, who set the NFL record for most catches in a season by a running back with 102. He passed Larry Centers, who had 101 receptions for the Cardinals in 1995.Forte also topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the fifth time in seven years and finished with 1,846 yards and 10 touchdowns from scrimmage.MORE THAN A THIELENThielen, an undrafted player out of NCAA Division II Minnesota State who spent last season on the practice squad, had his first career offensive touchdown. He scored last month on a blocked punt. But just as important was Thielens sprint to tackle Marc Mariani after a 67-yard kickoff return to the 35 early in the fourth quarter. The Bears had to settle for a field goal on that drive that cut the lead to 13-9.Good things happen when you hustle. Thats the type of kid Adam is, Zimmer said.COLE COMES THROUGHWith starting linebackers Chad Greenway and Anthony Barr out with knee injuries, Audie Cole got his first start of the season for the Vikings and shined with 14 total tackles, including one for a 2-yard loss on Forte. He also broke up a pass and had an interception negated by an offside penalty on Corey Wootton.CHALLENGING PATTERSONAfter a standout rookie year, playing in the Pro Bowl as a kickoff returner, wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson slumped badly and barely played on offence down the stretch. Though Bridgewaters throw was behind him, Patterson bobbled a third-quarter pass that Kyle Fuller intercepted for the Bears.Ive got a plan for this off-season for him, and hopefully it works, Zimmer said of Pattersons mindset. But its going to be up to Cordarrelle.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Nemanja Bjelica Jersey . In the days leading up to the draft, TSN.ca and TSN Radio basketball analyst Duane Watson looks at some of the names that will be headlining the event. Watch the 2014 NBA Draft on TSN, Thursday at 7pm et/4pm pt. Kings Jerseys 2020 . Henry, who missed three games with a knee injury, was charged with a handball in the penalty area in the 82nd minute as he went to block a strike from Patrick Mullins. On the ensuing penalty kick, Lee Nguyen picked up his fourth goal of the season, giving the Revolution a 2-1 win Saturday afternoon. https://www.cheapkingsbasketball.com/150...kings.html . Donald Young lost in straight sets to Israels Dudi Sela 6-3, 6-0. Querrey, ranked No. 61, is the second-highest ranked American, ahead of Johnson (64). Bob Davies Jersey . Assistant coach Glen Gulutzan said Thursday that Edler, who played Tuesday in Nashville, is out indefinitely. Isaiah Thomas Jersey . -- Those impatient for the Stanley Cup to return to Canada will have just one team to root for in the NHL playoffs -- the Montreal Canadiens.Sweden and Canada became the first mens teams to qualify for the Olympic curling semifinals on Sunday, and Britain missed the chance to join them by losing to Norway. Canada (6-2) stole a point at the last end to secure an 8-6 win over the U.S., which now cannot qualify. The Canadians didnt know they had qualified when they came off the ice after a tense win over the U.S. team, but they soon were celebrating. Even if the Canadians lose their last game — to China in the evening session — the worst they could finish is tied at 6-3 with Norway and Britain. They would qualify on a superior head-to-head record, the Canadian Curling Association confirmed. "We played all right, definitely not our best, but its still good to get the win knowing that we didnt put our best performance together," Canada skip Brad Jacobs said. The game came down to the final shot, delivered by U.S. skip John Shuster. His draw settled around the button next to a Canadian stone, which was clooser by barely half an inch.dddddddddddd "Sometimes you are on the right side and sometimes on the wrong side," Shuster said. "It just sucks that weve been on the wrong side at the Olympics." Playing in front of their king, Carl XVI Gustaf, the Swedes beat Russia 8-4 in nine ends to move into the outright lead at 7-1. They are the reigning world champions. Norway (4-3) staved off elimination with a 7-6 win over Britain (5-3), ensuring there will be plenty to play for going into the final day of round-robin action Monday. "It was one of the most important games of our career," said Haavard Vad Petersson, who was part of the Norway team that won an Olympic silver medal in 2010. "We had to win this one to stay alive. "We have won a medal before but we want to get gold." The Americans are 2-5. Norways final two games are against Switzerland and Denmark, both of which are out of contention. Britains last game is against China. ' ' '