On Dec. 31, 2017, at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings held the Bears to one third-down conversion in 12 attempts and won 23-10 while setting an NFL single-season record for third-down defensive dominance at 25.2 percent.
Boy oh boy, what a difference 364 days can make.
Sunday, the two teams did a 180-degree role reversal. This time, the Bears won 24-10 while converting eight of 14 third downs — eight of 12 when the outcome still was in doubt — for a season-high 57 percent against a Vikings defense that went into the game ranked No. 1 on third downs at 28.4 percent.
"The way we played today, we don't deserve to be in the playoffs," linebacker Anthony Barr said. "The game we played today, it's not a playoff performance."
Of course, it didn't help that the Vikings' offense almost matched the '17 Bears' season-finale futility by converting one of 11 third downs. Or started with four straight three-and-outs for the second straight week. Or fell behind in total yardage 195-2. Or didn't pick up a first down until 6 minutes, 8 seconds were left in the first half.
A year ago, the Vikings defense was at full strength as it won its 13th game while handing John Fox a 5-11 record in his final game as Bears coach. This year, the Vikings were without cornerback Xavier Rhodes (groin) and linebacker Eric Kendricks (hamstring) as the Bears won their 12th game to deny the Vikings a third playoff spot in Zimmer's five years.
Forced to play undrafted rookie corner Holton Hill and safety/corner Jayron Kearse more than they would have liked, the Vikings were vulnerable on third downs. Hill also left the field briefly before returning.
"They threw a long ball on Holton Hill one time," Zimmer said of a 40-yard completion to the 1-yard line. "They threw another completion on him. And then, honestly, we kind of ran out of defensive backs today."