Falling behind the Vikings 10-0 during a listless first quarter Sunday at Soldier Field, it looked like the Bears were headed down the same ugly path they traveled in losing their three previous games.
After all, they had been outscored 104-7 in the first half since recording their last win Oct. 12 in Atlanta. But this time would be different. This time, the Bears' big-play offense awoke from its slumber and the defense played with tenacity and fire.
Over the final three quarters, the Bears scored 21 unanswered points and held the Vikings to a late field goal in rallying for an inspiring 21-13 victory before 55,320 fans at Soldier Field.
"It's huge," said defensive end Jared Allen. "We needed it. It was time to get some confidence and get back on the right track. I thought we did a great job of playing team ball. That's what you need to do, and now you just go back to the table and try to repeat it."
View photos from the game as the Bears take on the Vikings at Soldier Field.

Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman talks to defensive end Jared Allen.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer walks around the field during warmups.

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater talks to Chicago Bears assistant defensive line coach Clint Hurtt.

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings.

Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman.

Chicago Bears players huddle before the game.

Chicago Bears' Chris Conte (47), Senorise Perry (32) and Christian Jones (59) stop Vikings' Rhett Ellison (85) on a kick off return during the first half.

Chicago Bears DT Jeremiah Ratliff tackles Minnesota Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon.

Minnesota Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater is tackled by Chicago Bears DE Jared Allen.

Chicago Bears WR Brandon Marshall celebrates his touchdown reception with QB Jay Cutler.

Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall spikes the ball after catching a touchdown pass.

Minnesota Vikings WR Greg Jennings is tackled by Chicago Bears defenders.

Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler.

Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler is stopped by Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes just short of the goal.

Chicago Bears WR Alshon Jeffery runs past Vikings CB Captain Munnerlyn.

Chicago Bears WR Brandon Marshall is tackled by Vikings CB Captain Munnerlyn.

Chicago Bears K Robbie Gould kicks an extra point.

Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte.

Chicago Bears WR Brandon Marshall catches a touchdown pass against Vikings CB Josh Robinson.

Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte is tackled by Vikings CB Captain Munnerlyn and LB Chad Greenway.

Chicago Bears WR Alshon Jeffery.

Minnesota Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon.

Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater hands off to RB Jerick McKinnon.

LB Lance Briggs and LB Jon Bostic make a tackle.

WR Chris Williams and RB Senorise Perry.

Chicago Bears attempt to block a Vikings field goal.

Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler.

Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte.

Chicago Bears TE Dante Rosario

Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler.

Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte.

Minnesota Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon.

Chicago Bears DT Jeremiah Ratliff.

LB D.J. Williams and FS Ryan Mundy make a tackle.

Minnesota Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson is stopped by the Chicago Bears defense.

Minnesota Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater.

Minnesota Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater is tackled by Bears DE Jared Allen and DT Will Sutton.

Chicago Bears WR Brandon Marshall.

K Robbie Gould attempts the point after.

Chicago Bears WR Brandon Marshall wrapped up by Vikings CB Josh Robinson.

Chicago Bears CB Kyle Fuller.

Chicago Bears DE Jared Allen tackles Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater.

Chicago Bears LB Jon Bostic tackles Vikings WR Charles Johnson.

Chicago Bears huddle before a play.

Chicago Bears TE Martellus Bennett.

Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler scrambles on a play.

Chicago Bears WR Brandon Marshall tries to evade Vikings CB Captain Munnerlyn.
Jay Cutler completed 31 of 43 passes for 330 yards with three touchdowns, two interceptions and a 98.0 passer rating. All three of his TDs came on contested throws versus one-on-one coverage with Brandon Marshall catching two of the passes and Alshon Jeffery snaring one.
"It's awesome," said right guard Kyle Long. "It's really great to see those guys be able to do what they do best. If you can give Jay some time and Jay can have a clean throwing lane, then those guys can go up and make plays."
Jeffery had a game-high 11 receptions for 135 yards, while Marshall added seven catches for 90 yards. Kyle Long rushed for 117 yards on 26 carries and caught six passes for 58 yards.
The Bears dominated in total yards (468-243), first downs (24-10) and time of possession (38:38-21:22). But they didn't clinch the win until safety Ryan Mundy intercepted Teddy Bridgewater's pass in the end zone on second-and-three from the Chicago 29 with :42 remaining.
In winning their first game of the season at Soldier Field after three losses, the Bears (4-6) pulled into a third-place tie with the Vikings (4-6) in the NFC North.
"I think everyone had a chip on their shoulder," Cutler said. "No one is happy with where we're at. I think it showed today."
After allowing 11 touchdowns in back-to-back losses to the Patriots and Packers, the Bears defense permitted just one TD Sunday, and that came after Andrew Sendejo's 48-yard run on a fake punt gave the Vikings a first down at the Chicago 7-yard line.
Bridgewater's 7-yard TD pass to wide open tight end Rhett Ellison on the next play made it 10-0. But the defense responded by limiting the Vikings to 47 yards and two first downs on 22 plays in the second and third quarters.
"Guys came back ready to work," said coach Marc Trestman. "[Defensive coordinator] Mel [Tucker] and the guys worked hard, and they worked hard together, both the staff and players. It was good to see that there was passion there. There were guys playing hard out there, and there was a lot of second effort."
The Bears took a 14-10 halftime lead as Cutler threw TD passes of 27 yards to Jeffery and 44 yards to Marshall in the second quarter, with both receivers beating cornerback Josh Robinson.
Midway through the third quarter, Cutler tried to avoid a sack with a quick pass over the middle to tight end Martellus Bennett. But the ball was intercepted by safety Harrison Smith, who returned it 52 yards to the Chicago 27.
The defense protected the lead, holding the Vikings without a first down and forcing them to settle for Blair Walsh's 38-yard field goal attempt, which he pushed wide to the right.
The Bears increased their lead to 21-10 midway through the fourth quarter on Cutler's 4-yard TD pass to Marshall, who posted up Robinson like a low-post player in basketball.
After the Vikings closed to 21-13, the Bears held on to win for just the second time in their last seven games.
"It's just resiliency to come out there and fight like that," Long said. "We knew it was going to be a four-quarter game. It's the only way you can win in the NFL."