Case Keenum gave the Minnesota Vikings the lift they needed and that was just enough to spoil Mitchell Trubisky's highly anticipated debut.
Keenum led three second-half scoring drives after Sam Bradford's troublesome left knee flared up again, as the Vikings beat Trubisky and the Chicago Bears 20-17 on Monday night.
Kai Forbath kicked a 26-yard field goal in the closing seconds after Harrison Smith intercepted Trubisky , and the Vikings (3-2) came away with the win after dropping two of three.
"I didn't know (if I would play)," Keenum said.
"That's something I've tried not to think about. I tried to approach the week like I was starting.
"I did the same thing I did the previous four weeks. I did the same thing I've done every week I've been in the NFL. I've tried to prepare like I've been the starter."
Called on after Mike Glennon struggled in the first four games, Trubisky played like he belonged. The No.2 overall pick was 12 of 25 for 128 yards with a touchdown.
Sidelined the previous three games because of swelling and soreness in his surgically repaired left knee, Bradford aggravated the joint when he was tackled in the first half.
With limited mobility, he completed just five of 11 passes for 36 yards and was sacked four times - including a safety by Leonard Floyd.
Bradford was listed as limited in practice during the week, though coach Mike Zimmer said there was "no doubt" he would play.
He wasn't sure how much more time Bradford will miss.
"We wouldn't put him on the field if he wasn't healthy enough to play," Zimmer said.
"He was very confident about it. He felt good about it. The medical people felt good about it. Everybody. We practised on turf for two days this week, too, so that's even a little bit harder on the legs. But I don't think there was any doubt whatsoever he was ready to go."
Keenum replaced him with 25 seconds left in the first half and went 17 of 21 for 140 yards and a touchdown.
The Vikings next game is hosting Green Bay on Sunday, while the Bears are off to Baltimore the same day.
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