Vikings Grind Out Victory In Season Finale

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings finished the 2014 season on a high note, beating the sputtering Chicago Bears 13-9 today.

The game featured few flashy plays on offense for both teams as the game was tied 3-3 at halftime.

Running back Matt Asiata had his most efficient game of the season, averaging 4.8 yards per carry and rushing for 91 yards.

Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater continued to show his progress in yet another solid performance - completing 17 of 25 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown.

Bridgewater appeared to hit receiver Greg Jennings on a deep touchdown pass early in the game, but the play was ruled an incomplete pass after review.

Bridgewater later got his deep touchdown pass, hitting a wide-open Adam Thielen - who is a Detroit Lakes native - in stride on a 44-yard strike to give the Vikings a 10-6 lead.

After a disappointing game last week in Miami, the defense shut down Jay Cutler and the struggling Bears offense.

Chicago running back Matt Forte broke the NFL record for receptions in a season by a running back with 102, but the Bears could not find the endzone against an inspired Minnesota defense.

With the victory, the Vikings finish the 2014 season at 7-9 - not bad, considering a rookie head coach leading a team with rookie quarterback and missing the team's best player since week two to suspension.

Vikings fans should look forward to seeing more progress in 2015 with an improved defense and a young quarterback who appears to be the real deal.