Vikings Return ‘Home’ to Sweden and Turn Away Bears, 28-21

The Minnesota Vikings were victorious in the land of the historic Vikings Sunday, beating the Chicago Bears, 28-21, in the first National Football League exhibition game on the European continent.

Playing on natural grass at Ullevi Stadium, named for the God of Viking, the Vikings got the decisive touchdown 1:27 into the final quarter on Wade Wilson’s 4-yard scoring pass to Reggie Ward.

The Vikings, who lost to the New Orleans Saints, 23-20, last week at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, are 1-1 in the exhibition season. The Bears, who previously Miami, 20-17, also are 1-1.

A crowd of 33,150, about 19,000 under capacity, sat through a steady rain during the game.

Minnesota, starting Tommy Kramer at quarterback, scored on its first drive, with D.J. Dozier getting the touchdown from a yard out.

Chicago’s Neal Anderson ran 19 yards for a touchdown to tie it, 7-7, with 3:34 left in the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, Anthony Carter electrified the Swedish crowd, taking a short pass from Kramer and outrunning the Chicago secondary on a 73-yard touchdown play that put the Vikings ahead, 14-7.

Jim McMahon, the Bears’ starting quarterback, was replaced by his Mike Tomczak in the second quarter after being sacked by Keith Millard. McMahon did not appear to be hurt.

Wilson replaced Kramer in the second quarter and Rich Gannon finished up for the Vikings.

The Bears tied it with 1:56 left in the first half when Tomczak completed a 21-yard scoring pass to Dennis Gentry.

Wilson threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Hassan Jones with 7:36 remaining in the third quarter for a 21-14 Viking lead.

The Bears tied the game for the last time with 1:51 left in the third last quarter on rookie Brad Muster’s one-yard scoring dive on fourth down.