There’s no question the Sunday night victory against the Minnesota Vikings belonged to the Chicago Bears defense. They were dominant most of the way and delivered huge play after huge play. Akiem Hicks had five tackles for a loss and a sack. Khalil Mack had a forced fumble and a sack. Eddie Jackson delivered the decisive punch with his pick-six touchdown. However, they weren’t the ones who closed the game out. That was Cody Parkey and Mitch Trubisky.
The Bears quarterback did not have one of his better nights. He was intercepted twice by the Vikings and almost intercepted a third time. His decision-making and comfort level weren’t good. However, as he’s done so often this year, the kid saved his biggest throw for right when the Bears needed it most.
Facing 3rd and 8 from his own 27 and facing the prospect of a 3 and out, Trubisky hit Allen Robinson for a huge first down to keep the drive alive. He then got 20 more on the next play when he ran for five and drew an unnecessary roughness call.
That helped put the Bears in position to put the game away. The only problem? It rested on the right leg of Parkey.
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Cody Parkey and Mitch Trubisky teamed for game-clinched sequence
Everybody knew the situation. Parkey had the worst game of his career the week before against Detroit. He missed four kicks that day, all four pinging off the goal posts. Many were calling for his head, especially after it was revealed he never practiced at Soldier Field. So special teams coordinator Chris Tabor decided to change that, bringing him to the stadium during the week for some practice.
It paid off. Parkey hit two field goals earlier in the game, but this time he needed a 48-yarder to put the team up by nine and essentially ice the game. He didn’t blink.
The wink from Matt Nagy said it all. The team had the utmost confidence in him and he didn’t let them down. It went right down the pipe. Give the game ball to the defense but make sure everybody knows that this win was clinched thanks to a pair of clutch plays from their quarterback and their kicker.
