Vikings vs. Bears live score updates: Monday Night Football Week 15

Follow along for live updates during Monday's game between Minnesota and Chicago.

U.S. Bank Stadium ahead of Vikings-Bears on Monday December 16. / Will Ragatz, Vikings On SI

The stage is set for the "Winter Whiteout" game at U.S. Bank Stadium between the Vikings and Bears. The home team is debuting brand new all-white uniforms and helmets in a nationally-televised primetime spot — and looking to move into a tie with the Lions atop the NFC North.

With Detroit losing to the Bills on Sunday, the Vikings now control their own destiny in the division race. But if they lose tonight, that opportunity will have been squandered, and they'll go back to needing help from the Lions' opponents.

This is a situation where the Vikings simply need to take care of business as seven-point favorites on their home field. They've won six in a row and are facing a Bears team that has lost seven in a row. A loss would be a major letdown for a team who has been cruising lately. But this is the NFL, so they'll need to show up and play well to get the job done.

The Vikings' offense has been on fire lately, led by Sam Darnold, who is coming off winning NFC offensive player of the week for his five-touchdown gem against the Falcons. He'll look to keep rolling in this one by leaning on Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, T.J. Hockenson, and the rest of his weapons.

Defensively, the Vikings will be hoping to play better than they did three weeks ago in the first meeting between these two teams. Caleb Williams threw for 340 yards — the second-highest total of his rookie season thus far — and a pair of touchdowns in that game, which went into overtime after the Vikings collapsed late in regulation. It'll be interesting to see what kind of adjustments Brian Flores has in store for the Bears.

Inactive lists can be found here. Follow along below for live updates throughout the night.

Live updates

Fourth quarter

Vikings 27, Bears 12

5:19 — The Bears got in the end zone for the first time, but missed the two-point conversion and then failed to recover an onside kick. This one is basically over.

Vikings 27, Bears 6

10:14 — Cam Akers plunges in another short rushing touchdown that should mostly seal this one.

Vikings 20, Bears 6

13:00 — The Bears cut it back to a two-score game with a field goal. The Vikings can make it very difficult for Chicago with any points on this next drive.

Third quarter

Vikings 20, Bears 3

1:38 — That was a big drive by the Vikings. They leaned on the run game and went 70 yards in 12 plays to make this a three-score game for the first time tonight. Aaron Jones punched it in with a 1-yard TD.

Vikings 13, Bears 3

7:02 — The Bears had a touchdown overturned by an "illegal substitution" penalty, then committed a hold, then had to settle for a short field goal. The shutout is over, though.

Second quarter

Vikings 13, Bears 0

0:00 — As the half comes to an end, the Vikings add onto their lead with a field goal.

2:35 — The Bears just ran the ball on 4th and 1 for the second time in this half...and got stuffed for the second time. Another turnover on downs.

7:14 — A penalty on Trent Sherfield for running into the punter extends the Bears' drive.

9:35 — The Vikings were driving, but Justin Jefferson dropped a sure touchdown and then Sam Darnold threw an interception while pressured on a 4th and 4 in field goal range. Could that let the Bears back into it?

First quarter

Vikings 10, Bears 0

5:04 — Once again starting on a short field, the Vikings only needed two and a half minutes to drive down and score a touchdown on a Sam Darnold touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson.

7:34 — Hello, Jonathan Greenard. He just roasted the Bears' rookie left tackle around the edge and drilled Caleb Williams for a strip sack that Blake Cashman recovered.

Vikings 3, Bears 0

12:04 — The Vikings go nowhere on offense after the turnover on downs but get a 52-yard field goal from Will Reichard to take an early 3-0 lead.

12:57 — The Bears, who don't have much to lose, just went for it on 4th and 1 from their own 39 to start this game. They didn't get it. Greenard and Tillery in on the stop for the Vikings.