But on fourth and goal, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre came through hitting Sidney Rice for a touchdown and sending the game to overtime.
In overtime, the Bears recovered a fumble and on the next play Cutler hit Devin Aromashodu with the game-winning touchdown. Bears won 36 to 30.
But Monday night's win does not negate the fact that this season has been mostly a disappointment. So is it too little, too late for Lovie Smith?
Smith's future may be the hot topic right now. What's going to happen to him? Will he be fired? Will he stay?
Bears fans fired off about that topic, and many others on Tuesday.
Two teams. Two viewpoints.
"If there is ever a team that needed to win, it was the Bears on Monday Night football. You can see how we can really play. Too bad it's too late, but it was fun watching the game," said Gregory Michalek, Bears fan.
"We should have won but when they sacked Brett Favre two times in a row...I turned the TV off," said Ethel Matthews, Vikings fan. "No, the Bears didn't need it. We needed, but I'm glad for you Chicago fans, how's that."
Well, pretty good, if you ask Bears fans Tuesday morning.
The Bears made front page news with the victory. And fans, like Terrence Snell, are proud to show off their Bears gear after the win.
"I'm very proud of them. They are trying to finish with a bang. So I'm happy for them," said Snell.
Happy, but after the season, also frustrated mainly with the coaching.
"I think they're a good team, they just have some bad coaching...Lovie, Turner and the rest of that crowd that is calling the play. I'm telling you...I'm through with those guys," said Joe Adams, Bears fan.
"Lovie is doing the best he can do with what he has to work with. I don't think they should fire him," said Alvin Forbes, Bears fan.
And how about ProBowl Quarterback Jay Cutler, who came from Denver.The Bears call it one of the biggest trades in NFL history. Was it worth it, looking back?
"Yes, he's worth it. Very, very, very tough year but in the end, he's going to be everything we expect him to be," said one Vikings fan.
Bears fans were also fired up online on Tuesday. ABC7 asked you about the team and Lovie Smith on one of our ABC 7 Facebook pages. Our question: Is it too little, too late for Lovie Smith?
Jennifer Holloway writes, "I think so. He's made some really bad decisions the last couple of years."
Nancy Scamen says, "too little, too late. He should go." And Jaime Manzo's thoughts: "Too late. It's easy to win big games when you're out of the hunt."
