Special (teams) delivery: Another Vikings defeat

Gordon ranks 26th in the NFL with a 3.8-yard average per punt return. Maurice Hicks is 22nd in the league with an average of 22.6 yards per kickoff return.

"They get coached every day, and there's somebody back there with 'em so they're not standing in a vacuum," Childress said. "I think we've got a good scheme. I think we just need to operate it better."

In-game coaching decisions are still ripe for criticism, whether play calls that appear too conservative at times and too cute at others or management of the clock in the fourth quarter.

The choice to squib kick and keep the ball away from dangerous Bears returner Devin Hester was clearly rooted in his success against the Vikings last year - and Bush's two weeks prior - but Hester was hurting on Sunday and has not been nearly as effective this season while spending a big chunk of his time as a wide receiver.

Getting the offense, defense and special teams to perform up to par at the same time has been a fleeting goal. Minnesota is outgaining opponents this year by an average of 342 to 290 yards per game, but the turnovers and third-down struggles will always add up the fastest.

Gus Frerotte threw four interceptions against Chicago, and the Vikings' minus-four takeaway-giveaway margin is tied for 25th in the NFL. Their 32.7-percent conversion rate on third down ranks 27th in the league.

The best reason for this team to be optimistic when it emerges next week from a mini-vacation is the mediocre division.

"If it was 0-7 it might be a different story, but we're still in it and that's the attitude we need to have," safety Darren Sharper said, adding: "We still have a fighting chance."