Mike Zimmer and the Minnesota Vikings scored a huge 17-9 win at Soldier Field Monday night against NFC North rivals Chicago Bears. The game was not a particularly watchable one, with both teams flunking on several opportunities on third downs and producing plenty of penalties.

But the Vikings will take a win any way they can get it, as Minnesota tries to keep itself in the playoff race in the NFC. It might be an ugly victory for the Vikings, but Zimmer was happy with the result and how his men responded to the contest's nature.

Via Courtney Cronin of ESPN:

Zimmer said he felt Vikings did a good job handling the chippiness of the game: “I know that it helped us a couple times because they got 15-yard penalties. We try to be a disciplined football team and not do those kinds of things. But when you get your manhood challenged sometimes, you react, and you just have to keep – you know, I talked to the offense, I talked to the defense, about being composed and just doing our job.”

The Vikings went just 5/17 on third downs, but that's better compared to the Bears' 2/12 line on such opportunities. Minnesota also committed seven penalties for 54 yards, while Chicago had nine for 91 yards. Minnesota's defense stepped up to the plate in this game and delivered, despite the shortcomings of the offense, as the Vikings forced three turnovers, but the team will have to do a whole lot better on both sides of the field in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Rams at home.