Devin Duvernay was signed in the offseason to take over the Bears’ kickoff and punt return duties this season, and Sunday, trailing 17-16, with 50 seconds left, Duvernay chose the perfect time to have his most impactful return of his Bears tenure so far. 

Fielding the kickoff at his own four-yard line, Duvernay angled right, ran cross-field field and found a crease. Josh Blackwell then peeled the right side with a key block. Eventually, Duvernay was run out at the Minnesota 40-yard line by Eric Wilson, resulting in a game-changing 56-yard return, Duvernay’s longest of the season. 

Since entering the league in 2020, Duvernay has the most kick return yards in the NFL (2,895) and the most kick return opportunities (115). The two-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro returner knew he had to make a difference. 

“Man, just a lot of green grass, and my eyes lid up,” Duvernay said. “Moment to go make a play.” I was just trying to get down the sideline and maximize the return and put ourselves in the right position to get some points to win the game.” 

And put the Bears in the right position, he did. With the ball at the 40-yard line and 42 seconds left, Chicago maintained all three timeouts. From the 40, the field goal would have been a 57-yarder, but with three straight D’Andre Swift rushes, Chicago got nine yards closer. 

It set up Cairo Santos with four seconds left to attempt his seventh game-winning field goal from 48 yards out. The snap was good, the hold was good, but the laces of the ball didn’t get entirely around as they were pointed to the right when Santos made contact. Nonetheless, the kick went through the uprights, and the Chicago Bears rallied to win 19-17, going 1-0 on the week and improving to 7-3 on the season. 

You have to let the game come to you,” Duvernay said. “I feel like I’ve been in positions earlier in my career, where I’m trying to force things to happen that doesn’t always work out. So, just let the game come to you.” 

Significance of the win

The 19-17 win was the Bears’ first NFC North win of the season, their first win at U.S. Bank Stadium since 2023, and just their second win against the Vikings in the last 10 meetings. Since 2020, Chicago has lost eight of its last nine games to the Vikings, and Sunday’s win avenged its Week 1 collapse. 

Ahead of the game, coach Ben Johson said this was a game Chicago desperately needed Sunday’s win. See, the Bears have been abysmal against the NFC North. The last time the Chicago Bears finished with a winning record against their division was in 2019, when they went 4-2 in the division. 

Since 2020, Chicago is 8-25 against the NFC North, 6-11 on the road, and 2-14 at home. Sunday’s win was a step in the right direction for Chicago, who are 7-3 for the first time since 2018 and has sole possession of first place in the NFC North entering week 12. 

Next for Chicago is a home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are 6-4 at the top of the AFC North. Aaron Rodgers did leave the 34-12 victory on Sunday with a wrist injury, and it’s unclear if we will miss the game. 

Since 2011, Rodgers is 11-1 at Soldier Field and 25-5 overall against the Bears in his career.