The Minnesota Vikings (4-6) fell to the Chicago Bears (7-3) on Sunday, 19-17. It was not for lack of effort on the defensive side of the football.

The Vikings defense did its job largely limiting Chicago head coach Ben Johnson's innovative attack. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was held to a 50% completion percentage on 32 attempts, throwing for 193 yards without a touchdown to show for it.

Williams did have one significant advantage over his Minnesota counterpart: He didn't throw an interception.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy had another bad day on Sunday. Similar to Williams, he completed 16 of 32 passes for 43 fewer yards. His 150-yard passing day was his highest total in three games against divisional opponents. Needless to say, it wasn't enough to win on Sunday.

McCarthy's lack of production was not calamitous, but his turnover total might have been against the Bears. The Minnesota quarterback threw two interceptions. One stalled a Minnesota drive deep in Chicago territory toward the end of the half taking away an opportunity to score a field goal. The other set the Bears up at the Minnesota 25-yard line for a field goal.

It goes without saying that one can't afford offensive giveaways in games where the quarterback throws for less than 200 yards. Both turnovers individually proved to be the difference in the game as the Vikings lost by just two points following a late field goal by Bears kicker Cairo Santos.

That the Bears had to resort to four Cairo Santos field goals to win a close one was indicative of how winnable the game was for the Vikings. It's evident what stands between the Vikings and success is reliably consistent offense. They're just not getting that from the team they have on hand.

There were encouraging signs from Sunday's game. Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson had a better game catching five passes for 61 yards on nine targets. The rushing attack was serviceable for the Vikings as well.

Minnesota's rushing tandem of Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason proved serviceable in the close battle. Jones ran for 70 yards on 16 carries. Mason had six carries for 45 yards. The two combined for a solid 5.2 yards per carry on the day.

The Vikings will need to figure out how to move the ball better on offense as they head toward the stretch run.