Peyton Manning criticizes Bears for lack of situational awareness late in loss to Vikings

Nick Wright shares his NFC North predictions, including the Chicago Bears making the playoffs and the Green Bay Packers missing it.

Chicago Bears first-year head coach Ben Johnson already came under fire in the first game of the season against the Minnesota Vikings as he watched a fourth-quarter lead slip away.

NFL legend Peyton Manning, one half of the hosts on ESPN’s "ManningCast" during the Monday night games, criticized how Johnson handled a key moment following a Caleb Williams touchdown pass to Rome Odunze.

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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025. (David Banks/Imagn Images)

Chicago’s touchdown came with 2:02 left. The Bears had one timeout left and it may have been a good idea for the ensuing kickoff to go out of bounds to have the clock stop at the two-minute warning. Instead, the kickoff went to Vikings returner Ty Chandler and Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell signaled for Chandler to take the ball out. The two-minute stoppage was burned and the Bears had very little time to do any kind of offense on their next possession.

Manning was heard on the alternative broadcast saying the Bears should have just kicked it out of bounds.

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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell reacts during the second half at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025. (Matt Marton/Imagn Images)

"Kevin O’Connell said they spent a ton of time on situational football," he said after the Bears scored, via Pro Football Talk. "This should be good situational football for both sides right here. The kick return