Brett Favre called this week’s game in Chicago a must win. They were dominated in every phase of the game in a 27-13 loss to the Bears.

Vikings player have often talked this season about missing a break here or a break there. They have been close to winning a few times, but they haven’t ever been close to playing like a championship-caliber team. Sunday’s loss should hammer home the point they just aren’t that good.

Give the Bears defense credit. They clamped down on Adrian Peterson (17 carries, 51 yards) and made Brett Favre often check the ball down or make mistakes. Favre ended up with three interceptions and a lost fumble on 27 attempts. (One pick came on a tipped pass, another when Peterson fell.) Favre’s protection didn’t hold up, his receivers dropped passes, and Favre made poor decisions under pressure.

At 6-3, we’re still not sure how good the Bears are. But this game was very encouraging. Aside from one mind-numbing interception, Jay Cutler played very well, completing 22-of-35 passes for 237 yards, three touchdowns, and two picks. (The other interception came on a dropped pass.) Cutler escaped pressure to make third-down conversions a number of times.

At times, Cutler looked like a young Favre. Favre looked like an old Favre, and one has to wonder what happens after another loss or two.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf told ESPN’s Ed Werder he won’t consider firing Brad Childress at this time. That just seems to be just delaying the inevitable. The Vikings have looked like a mediocre team since the season started, and there’s little reason to think that will suddenly change.