MINNEAPOLIS – After getting gashed by Adrian Peterson Oct. 14 at Soldier Field, the Bears run defense generally held the Vikings running back in check in Monday night’s 20-13 loss in Minnesota.

The frontrunner for NFL rookie of the year honors rushed for only 22 yards on eight carries in the first half and just 41 yards on 14 attempts through three quarters before finishing the game with 78 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.

The Bears limited Vikings running back Adrian Peterson to 78 yards in Monday night's loss.

Peterson had the same number of rushes in the Vikings’ 34-31 win earlier this season in Chicago when he amassed 224 yards—the most by an individual opponent in Bears history—including TD runs of 67, 73 and 35 yards.

According to defensive coordinator Bob Babich, the difference Monday night was that the Bears made a few minor adjustments and did an outstanding job of executing. 

“Guys did a good job tackling,” Babich said. “Our approach was we were going to be an eight-man front. There’s going to be an unblocked player in an eight-man front and he’s got to make the play, and that’s what’s got to happen.”

After spending so much time on the field, the Bears defense appeared to be tiring when Peterson finally broke loose for a 28-yard gain midway through the fourth quarter. But coach Lovie Smith was interested in results, not excuses.

“We know you have to be able to play a complete game,” said the Bears coach. “In the end, those same guys that made plays earlier need to step up during the fourth quarter and make them. It’s as simple as that.”

New faces: With the Bears depleted by injuries at defensive tackle, Jimmy Kennedy and Matt Toeaina both played against the Vikings. Kennedy and Toeaina signed with Chicago last week and had not appeared in an NFL game this season prior to Monday night.

Israel Idonije started at defensive tackle next to Tommie Harris. Darwin Walker sat out Monday night’s game with an elbow injury, and Anthony Adams and Antonio Garay were placed on season-ending injured reserve last week.

Toeaina distinguished himself by dropping Adrian Peterson for losses of three yards and two yards in the fourth quarter.

“Matt played extremely well,” Babich said. “I saw him make some plays, and Jimmy did a good job plugging up the middle. For those guys to come in and get the amount of reps that they got without much contact and go in and play the way they did is something that’s going to help us in the future.”

No big plays: The Vikings did an excellent job of containing Devin Hester. The dynamic second-year pro averaged 7.3 yards on four punt returns with a long of 17 yards and 14.7 yards on three kickoff returns with a long of 17 yards. Hester also was dropped for a 1-yard loss on a reverse and caught four passes for 28 yards with a long of 11 yards.

Aches & pains: Defensive end Mark Anderson hurt his knee in the first quarter and did not return. … Brendon Ayanbadejo also injured his knee while covering a punt midway through the first period, but he returned on the next special teams play.

Roster notes: In addition to Walker, other Bears inactives were safety Josh Gattis, linebacker Darrell McClover, guard/center Josh Beekman, defensive tackle Babatunde Oshinowo, wide receiver Mike Hass and tight end John Gilmore.

Rex Grossman was listed as the emergency third quarterback, though he watched the game from the sideline in street clothes after spraining his left knee Dec. 6 against the Redskins.