Replay: Chicago 48, Vikings 41

GAME BALLS

Kevin Payne, Bears: The second-year strong safety out of Louisiana-Monroe led both teams with nine tackles and returned an interception 50 yards to set up the Bears' final touchdown.

Kyle Orton, Bears: Chicago doesn't have QB issues anymore. Orton was 21-for-32 for 283 yards, a pair of touchdowns and a 114.5 rating.

PLAY OF THE GAME

'MAYBE I SHOULDA RUN'

Time: Third quarter, 4:12 remaining

Score: Bears led 34-31

Ball: Vikings fourth-and-1 at Chicago 36

The play: Gus Frerotte rolled right, looking for Adrian Peterson. It seemed Frerotte had room to run for the first down, but he fired an incomplete pass to Bernard Berrian.

The result: The Bears took over on downs and scored a touchdown four plays later.

VIKINGS: NEXT GAME

vs. houston

Noon Nov. 2, at Metrodome (Ch. 4)

About the Texans (2-4)

Houston got past the winless Lions 28-21 on Sunday as Matt Schaub threw a pair of TD passes to tight end Owen Daniels. The Texans play host to Cincinnati this Sunday.

Dangerous player: Andre Johnson, WR

Johnson had his third consecutive 100-yard receiving game Sunday, with 11 catches for 141 yards.

NEW ... AND IMPROVED?

We'll stick with the theme of our 2008 preview section all season and keep grades on the new guys and the young players expected to lead:

THE SACK MAN

DE Jared Allen

Had four tackles for loss, including two sacks, and forced a fumble. Making big plays at key times lately.

THE DEEP THREAT

WR Bernard Berrian

With 517 receiving yards already, he's destined for team's first 1,000-yard season since 2004.

THE VETERAN

QB Gus Frerotte

Despite four interceptions, Frerotte isn't a problem. The Vikings offense did put up 439 yards and 41 points.

THE SOPHOMORE

RB Adrian Peterson

Nitpickers will say he doesn't hit the hole hard enough ... but he's headed toward a 1,500-yard rushing season.