EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings and Bears are running it back with Minnesota's icy fresh look for Monday Night Football in Week 15.
"It feels like we just played them – obviously we did a couple weeks ago, or a few weeks ago, and [they have] a really good defense, really good scheme," quarterback Sam Darnold said. "We have a really, really tough challenge in front of us."
The matchup is just three weeks and a day after Darnold completed all six passes he attempted in overtime for 90 yards in leading Minnesota to a 30-27 victory after an 11-point Vikings lead evaporated in the final minute of regulation.
The Vikings had built that margin on a day when the Bears committed vast resources to try to stop Justin Jefferson. The plan worked in limiting his stats to one catch for 7 yards in the game's first 60 minutes, but Darnold connected with the star receiver for a gain of 20 on first-and-15 in the extra session.
Darnold (330 passing yards), Jordan Addison (162 receiving) and T.J. Hockenson (114 receiving) and Aaron Jones, Sr. (106 rushing), became Minnesota's first combination of a 300-yard passer, two players with more than 100 through the air and a one with three bills on the ground since 2000.
The Bears have made a change at head coach, opting to part ways with Matt Eberflus the day after Chicago lost at Detroit on Thanksgiving.
Everybody will soon find out what Bears Interim Head Coach Thomas Brown and Defensive Coordinator Eric Washington have in mind this time around.
"We never know what teams' game plans are going to be," Jones said. "We assume they're going to come out and try to stop Justin, but you can get there, and it can be something completely different, so everybody just has to be ready to roll at all times."
The Vikings have plenty of options, including Addison, who reeled in catches of 45 and 69 yards at Chicago, as well as a short touchdown. Addison particularly impressed with his contact balance after a hit by safety Jonathan Owens and his ability to stay in bounds on the sideline for the 69-yard reception that opened the second half.
"That was pretty incredible to see somebody — he's not a big frame, big stature, but he's strong," Jones said. "I think the staying in bounds is even more impressive after breaking the tackle. He's a special player, and he's showing it."
The matchup is one of two games on Monday. Atlanta (6-7) is visiting Las Vegas (2-11) for a game that kicks off at 7:30 p.m. (CT) and will air on ESPN.
Here are all the ways to catch the Vikings and Bears final matchup of 2024.
NATIONAL TELEVISION
ABC (KTSP in the Twin Cities)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (CT)
Play-by-Play: Joe Buck
Analyst: Troy Aikman
Field reporter: Lisa Salters
Note: This game also will be streaming on ESPN+.
LOCAL/REGIONAL RADIO
KFAN (100.3-FM), KTLK 1130-AM and the five-state Vikings Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Paul Allen
Analyst: Pete Bercich
Field reporter: Ben Leber
Note: The pregame radio show on the Vikings Radio Network will begin at 5 p.m. (CT).
Audio Streaming Option: Catch the audio broadcast on your smart devices through the KFAN channel on the iHeart app.
View practice photos of the Vikings wearing their new all-white Winter Warrior alternate uniform helmets as they prepare for the 2024 Winter Whiteout game against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
NATIONAL RADIO
Westwood One (station finder)
Play-by-Play: Kevin Harlan
Analyst: Kurt Warner
SPANISH RADIO
Catch the Vikings on Tico Sports at WREY "El Rey" 94.9 FM and 630 AM in the Twin Cities and on Tico-Sports.com, elrey949fm.com and Vikings.com.
Play-by-Play: Gabriel Rios
Analyst: Isaias Zendejas
View photos of Vikings players posing in the new "Winter Warrior" alternate uniforms.
SATELLITE RADIO
Minnesota: SiriusXM 85 or 225/Vikings Team Page
Chicago: SiriusXM 81 or 226/Bears Team Page
National: SiriusXM 88
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
Click here for the full bevy of options that include over-the-air, cable, satellite, over-the-top and streaming methods.
Winter Whiteout is Back
Wear White on Dec. 16! Vikings will debut Winter Warrior alternate uniforms vs. Bears on Monday Night Football.
NFL+ AND NFL+ PREMIUM
Watch out-of-market Vikings preseason games live or on-demand with NFL+ or NFL+ Premium. It is available in the NFL app and at NFL.com/plus.
NFL+ is available for $6.99/month or $49.99/year and offers the following:
- Live out-of-market preseason games across devices
- Live local and prime-time regular-season and postseason games on your phone or tablet
- Live game audio (home, away & national calls) for every game of the season
- NFL Films on-demand content, ad-free
- Ad-free highlights from every NFL game
- Fantasy+
- NFL Network
NFL+ Premium is available for $14.99/month or $99.99/year and offers all NFL+ features and the following:
- Full-game replays across devices
- Condensed game replays across devices
- Coaches film
- RedZone from NFL Network
