Uphill at 6-6
Lovie Smith billed this as one of the biggest games of his Bears’ tenure. So it will take some backpedaling for Smith to remind his team that their playoff goals remain alive after losing this one. But with the Vikings’ remaining schedule and a potential suspension of defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams looming, Minnesota still can’t be considered a lock. The 6-6 Bears proved they are mediocre, which still gives them a chance in a division full of mediocrity. Don’t pout, don’t overreact and don’t ignore the problems the Vikings exposed. But don’t pack it in just yet.
Series of the season?
If you can’t punch it in from first-and-goal from the 1, you don’t deserve to lead the NFC North. It’s really that simple for the Bears. Had they scored in the second quarter to take a 14-3 lead in a game they had assumed control of, the rest of the game might have unfolded differently. Three straight runs up the middle showed a lack of creativity by offensive coordinator Ron Turner. Having all of them stuffed showed a lack of will by the offensive line. If a team that wants to define itself as a running team can’t score a touchdown in that situation, then second place in the division is where it belongs.
Buried by Berrian
There is no lonelier place for a cornerback than being across from a speedy wide receiver with 99 yards of green behind him. But somehow, inexplicably, Charles Tillman appeared to forget where he was on the field and lost track of former teammate Bernard Berrian, who was his primary assignment Sunday. Berrian ran straight down the field and all Gus Frerotte had to do was hang the ball up in the air for him to catch it. The longest offensive play in Vikings history helped Minnesota capitalize on the Bears’ failure on the 1. Suffice to say that Berrian never has been happier to see his old friends.
Line woes
The Bears didn’t lose this game because they couldn’t stop Adrian Peterson. The NFL’s best running back should be expected to gain more than 100 yards and break off big runs like the 59-yarder he had against the Bears. That, the Bears might have been able to overcome. But not when the offense commits three turnovers — all Kyle Orton interceptions. The offensive line that couldn’t punch in the ball inside the 1 couldn’t protect Orton either. So when looking at which side of the line let down the Bears more, don’t assume it was the one Peterson ran through all night.
