Fox: Bears' 'Most Complete Game' Led To Win Over Vikings
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Bears got their second win of the year with a dominating 20-10 victory over the Vikings (5-2) on Monday night, thanks to their "most complete game" of the season, coach John Fox said Tuesday.
The Bears sacked Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford five times, quarterback Jay Cutler threw for 252 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown to Alshon Jeffery, and had no turnovers in his return from a thumb injury and rookie running back Jordan Howard had his best game with 153 yards rushing, 49 yards receiving and a touchdown.
"It was just good balance,"Fox told WBBM Newsradio's Dave Kerner. "It was really probably our most complete game; both as far as four full quarters, and really we were kind of operating in all three phases – offense, defense and special teams. So any time you can create that balance keeps the defense at bay, whether it's being efficient in the run game and as executing in the pass game."
Cutler's return after five weeks out with a sprained thumb helped fuel the Bears on both sides of the ball, Fox said.
"His teammates were inspired that he was out there; and again as I mentioned, it was a very, very good team win," Fox said.
With two weeks to prepare for his team's next game against the Buccaneers, Fox is hoping several players can get healthy for Week 10. Guards Kyle Long and Josh Sitton, arguably the best offensive linemen on the team, both missed the Vikings game. Receiver Eddie Royal hasn't played in two weeks, and linebacker Pernell McPhee, cornerback Tracy Porter and linebacker Danny Trevathan all played through injuries Monday.
"There's no mystery that we're pretty banged up," Fox said. "I think that 10-day – or mini-bye we call it – coming off of a Thursday night and again now with our real bye this week, hopefully we get guys healed up and get more healthy players up for game day,"
You can listen to Kerner's full interview with Fox below: