Recurring mistakes lead to another loss for the Chicago Bears

What were the Chicago Bears thinking with these play calls?

On the first drive of the game, Nagy called a run up the middle with David Montgomery on second-and-18. Montgomery picked up a yard, and the Bears later punted. After an unnecessary roughness penalty on Teven Jenkins in the third quarter, Nagy — again — called a run on second-and-22, with the Bears down 17-3. Montgomery picked up two yards. Of course, that drive ended in a punt as well.

There was also miscommunication on a key fourth-and-1 play late in the third quarter. The Bears called a naked bootleg that they “have had all year long,” according to Nagy. But receiver Darnell Mooney – who the play was designed for – didn’t hear the play until late so he lined up in the wrong spot.

Fields rolled right and there was a Vikings defender closing in on him. The timing of the play was disrupted by the Vikings’ Cover-2 defense. Fields was sacked and the Bears turned the ball over on downs.

"That’s football, you win some, you lose some,” Fields said. “That’s the name of the game. You’ve got to give credit to them at the end of the day. Again, I think overall, we shoot ourselves in the foot with turnovers and penalties. I think if we get rid of those, we win the ball game."

For the Bears, getting rid of those turnovers and penalties is far easier said than done. Fields lost a fumble on the Bears’ second possession of the game. On the next offensive possession, with the Bears on the Minnesota 10, David Montgomery fumbled. And to complete the trifecta, Damiere Byrd muffed a punt after a three and out to begin the fourth quarter.

In the last three games, the Bears have turned the ball over 10 times.