The Vikings ran into a Bear trap on Monday night in Chicago.
The offense struggled to move the ball and capitalize in prime position, and the defense didn't make a considerable dent in a foe for the first time this season.
The outcome was a 20-10 decision that dropped the Vikings to 5-2. The Bears improved to 2-6 and beat Minnesota at Soldier Field for the eighth time since 2007.
Here are three stats that stood out:
1 — first down obtained via a run by the Vikings
The Vikings want to be balanced on offense, but have been without Adrian Peterson since Week 2. They were also without leading rusher Jerick McKinnon (ankle) on Monday. Matt Asiata provided the lone first down by running, scraping to convert a third-and-1 at the Chicago 4-yard line in the second quarter. Minnesota totaled one yard on two run plays that followed and suffered a sack on the following third down.
The Vikings converted 13 first downs via passes and were gifted another on a penalty by the Bears.
Chicago, however, had more balance, obtaining seven first downs on runs and 12 via passes.
182 — yards gained by the Bears on five plays
Chicago got a tone-setting, 69-yard run by Jordan Howard on its third offensive snap of the game. The play benefitted from missed tackles, flipped field position quickly and led to a field goal.
Cutler had completions of 34 yards on a short improvised shovel pass to Howard and on a deep attempt to Alshon Jeffery. He also had a 24-yard completion to Cameron Meredith and a 21-yarder to Zach Miller. The Bears totaled 403 yards of offense with a balanced attack.
The Vikings netted 154 yards of offense on their first eight possessions combined.
11:03 — Vikings time of possession in the second half
The Vikings had the football just four times in the second half: just 5:37 of the third quarter and 5:26 of the fourth quarter.
Chicago was able to open the second half by building its lead to 20-3 with a possession that lasted 5:08. The Bears other possessions in the second half ended in punts but lasted 4:15, 3:57 and 5:37, keeping the ball away from the Vikings.
