Offense: D+
Minnesota’s defense gradually overpowered the Bears in the second half, but Kyle Orton played with poise in his first game in two years and had the Bears in position to win or tie late before his only interception. The offensive line effectively killed a golden opportunity with two false starts in the span of three trips to the line inside the Minnesota 20 after a turnover.
Defense: B-
Brian Urlacher had two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery through three quarters. Nathan Vasher returned in style with a hit to force receiver Robert Ferguson into bobbling a ball that Urlacher intercepted, leading to a field goal. Urlacher also pounced on an Adrian Peterson bobble on Minnesota’s next possession. Vasher’s second-quarter interception positioned the Bears for a TD.
Special teams: B
Robbie Gould had a 29-yard field goal to salvage points from the first-quarter interception and a 47-yarder for a second-quarter lead. Devin Hester’s ill-advised fielding of a first-quarter punt, with a fake reverse called, left the Bears at their 3 instead of 20.
Coaching: C+
Ron Turner let Orton operate occasionally in the no-huddle and schemed to get Orton and the offense some early completions and positive plays. The Bears were willing to try several fourth-and-1 conversions that instilled some aggressive thinking, and Turner called for enough deep throws that the Vikings had to leave openings for Peterson underneath.
