FINISHING PICK
Trubisky’s late interception sets up decisive field goal, spoiling his first start
So much for Leonard Floyd’s slow start.
The Bears outside linebacker sacked Sam Bradford for a safety late in the first quarter Monday night. On third- and- 15 from the Vikings’ 5- yard line, Floyd beat right tackle Mike Remmers and was positioned behind the quarterback when Bradford decided to roll left. He never saw Floyd, who tackled him from behind for two points.
Monday marked Floyd’s second career safety. He had a sack of the 49ers’ Blaine Gabbert inWeek 13 last season. Floyd also found the end zone last year when, after sacking the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers at the 5- yard line, he recovered the fumble for a touchdown.
Floyd had an uneventful start to his second season, not recording his first sack untilWeek 4 against the Packers.
The Bears second- year player finished the first half with two sacks of Bradford, who started his first game since suffering a knee injury inWeek 1 and then was removed before halftime when he re- aggravated it.
Cooper out
Bears cornerback Marcus Cooper didn’t play after experiencing back spasms late last week. He was listed as questionable after first appearing on the injury report Saturday. Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller, who have rotated with Cooper this season, started at cornerback.
Unsurprisingly, outside line backer Willie Young, who has a tear in his triceps and could miss the rest of the season, was listed as inactive. To help fill in, the Bears promoted outside linebacker Isaiah Irving from the practice squad with the roster spot left open by Danny Trevathan’s suspension.
The undrafted free agent from San Jose State was rated by Pro Football Focus as the top 3- 4 outside linebacker in pass- rush productivity. He had three preseason sacks.
This and that
After winning an astounding 14 straight coin tosses, the Bears lost Monday when the Vikings called heads and won. They chose to defer. As the Bears promised, Mike Glennon remained a captain even after being demoted to second string. The other five: guard Josh Sitton, defensive end Akiem Hicks, Floyd and special- teamers Benny Cunningham and SherrickMcManis.
Inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski ( pec) was inactive; he hasn’t practiced since the team’s second game. Other inactive Bears: quarterback Mark Sanchez, center Hroniss Grasu, running back Taquan Mizzell and nose tackle John Jenkins.
The Bears’ opponent Sunday, the Ravens, will play the Vikings the following week. So, yeah, coach John Harbaugh told reporters earlierMonday in Baltimore, he planned to watch Monday’s game. He usually turns it off at halftime.
“Sometimes if it is an AFC North team, you have to do it, or the Patriots or somebody like that,” he said. “But this game we will be watching. I will get home in time to watch this one.
“I think all of Baltimore probably will. The real fans will be watching this game. The next two opponents we play will be out there.”