Furious Bears supporters protesting a controversial holding penalty they believe swayed the game against the Vikings

In a disappointing turn of events, the Chicago Bears fell to the Minnesota Vikings in their opening game of the 2022 NFL season. The final score was a close 29-21, but a crucial sequence of events in the second quarter proved to be a turning point for the Bears.

The Bears were deep in Vikings' territory with a 17-6 lead when a holding penalty on Darnell Wright occurred. This penalty, which occurred near the goal line, knocked the Bears out of the red zone and halted their momentum. An intentional grounding call on Caleb Williams followed, leading to a missed 50-yard field goal.

This sequence of events was a significant blow to the Bears, as it prevented them from taking a commanding three-score lead. FOX Sports analyst Geoff Schwartz and Bears analyst Adam Hoge both highlighted the impact of the penalty, with Hoge stating that it had a significant influence on the game's outcome.

The Bears managed only one touchdown on 12 drives after the opening drive, with their offense struggling significantly in the second half of the game. In contrast, the Vikings mounted a fourth-quarter comeback, scoring three consecutive touchdowns to take the lead and secure the victory.

Many Bears fans were irate about the holding penalty and the referee's decision, with one fan commenting that the official needs to be disciplined. The Bears' inability to capitalise on opportunities and their ineffectiveness in the final minutes of the game were also contributing factors to their loss.

Despite the disappointing result, it's important to note that nearly half of the Bears' total offense (317 yards) came on their two touchdown drives. Brett Favre, who holds the record for the most interceptions thrown in NFL history with 336, was certainly not watching the Bears' performance with envy.

The Bears will look to bounce back in their next game, as they look to turn their season around and make a run for the playoffs.

Furious Bears supporters protesting a controversial holding penalty they believe swayed the game against the Vikings