It was a wild and crazy game, unlike past 7-3 contests in the old black-and-blue division.
The Vikings scored plenty of points, but lost two fumbles, threw four interceptions and gave up two special-teams TDs.
The special teams have been horrible for some time now. They nearly cost the Vikings the game against New Orleans. Maybe it's time to replace the special teams coordinator. There's been nothing special about the punt and kickoff teams.
Adrian Peterson rushed for more than 100 yards and scored two touchdowns, but it wasn't nearly enough. Gus Frerotte threw for 298 yards and a pair of scores, but those four picks were killers.
And the Bears offense passed at will. Kyle Orton's a pretty good quarterback, but the Vikings' pass defense was weak. They had no interceptions and just two sacks, both by Jared Allen.
And yet as poorly as they played, they had the ball at the end of the game down just one touchdown. But Frerotte was sacked and then threw an interception. Game over.
The Vikings' passing offense has picked up. Bernard Berrian, a former Bear, had a good game with six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. He's done his job lately.
The Vikings clearly haven't put it together in any game, yet they've been in every game at the end. At 3-4, they're only a game behind first place.
They need to do something about the special-teams play. Brad Childress, already under fire by fans in Minnesota, needs to be as pro-active as he was replacing Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback. You can't win many games when your special teams give up two touchdowns.
The Vikings have a bye -- a pretty good time for it, actually -- and then are home to the Texans and Packers. Both are winnable games if the Vikes get their act together.
The most troubling thing about the Vikings is not their record but how they've played. They've been underachievers who just can't put a full game together.
