LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Jay Cutler outrushed Falcons running back Michael Turner 34-30 and the Bears held decisive advantages in total yards (373-253), first downs (21-16) and time of possession (33:54-26:06) Sunday night. 

So how exactly did they leave Atlanta with a loss?

Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa forces Michael Turner to fumble in Sunday night's loss to the Falcons.

The answer, which may not be as complex as you might think, can be explained in two words: Turnover ratio. 

With three giveaways and two takeaways against the Falcons, the Bears fell to 0-2 this season when they have a negative turnover differential. They’re 3-0 when they win or tie the turnover battle.

“We had a lot of chances to win the football game, but didn’t take advantage of a lot of opportunities,” said coach Lovie Smith. “But that’s how it normally goes whenever you lose the turnover ratio.”

In Smith's six seasons as coach, the Bears are 27-6 when they win the turnover ratio, 8-20 when they lose it and 13-11 when it's even.

Two of the Bears’ giveaways Sunday night came in the red zone. Jay Cutler completed his first six passes for 38 yards on Chicago’s first possession. But on third-and-nine from the Atlanta 12, his pass over the middle to Devin Hester was intercepted by safety Thomas DeCoud at the 9.

“The safety really jumped it,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner. “[Cutler] had to wait for Devin to get across the ‘Mike’ linebacker, and it’s tough for him to see the safety. He threw it out in front of the ‘Mike,’ threw it out in front of Devin, and the safety came in lower than we anticipated.”

Three of Cutler’s seven interceptions this season have come on plays that originated inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Asked what he told Cutler following his red-zone pick Sunday night, Smith said: “Don’t do it. It’s really kind of as simple as that. We can’t have those interceptions down there. Jay realizes that, but was trying to make a play.”

Running back Matt Forte also was trying to make a play when he fumbled on back-to-back snaps from the Atlanta 1-yard line late in the third quarter. He recovered the first one, but the Falcons smothered the second to thwart a drive that could have resulted in a game-tying touchdown.

Defensively, the Bears generated two takeaways on interceptions by cornerbacks Zackary Bowman and Nate Vasher. But they failed to take advantage of two other opportunities on back-to-back plays as linebacker Lance Briggs was unable to scoop up a fumble and safety Danieal Manning dropped a potential interception.

Asked how the Bears can turn those near-misses into takeaways, Smith said: “You just keep the emphasis on it; keep talking about it, keep working at it in practice. As long as the players continue to play hard and we get more bodies around the football, eventually we’ll start getting those breaks.

“On Lance’s fumble, he was in position. Next time he’ll pick it up, scoop it up and score. Danieal Manning made a great break to get in position to intercept the ball. We’ll just finish the job next time. We’ll just get the guys running and getting to the ball, and eventually we’ll have a big takeaway game.”

On the Briggs’ play, he was unable to pick up a Turner fumble that was caused by Bears linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan recovered the loose ball at the Atlanta 27.

Smith said that Briggs made the correct decision in trying to pick up the fumble and run with it.

“We’re trying to score every play,” said the Bears coach. “That’s our goal; to score every time you get an opportunity to. Now, if there’s a lot of traffic, we would like them to fall on it. But Lance had a clean scoop at that. He was thinking the right way. Next time he’ll secure it and go.”

Vasher’s interception early in the fourth quarter came on his only defensive snap of the game. The sixth-year pro, who was demoted from the starting lineup following the season opener, subbed in temporarily for Charles Tillman, who was taking a breather after lining up on special teams on the previous snap.

“Nate has practiced hard throughout,” Smith said. “It’s a tough situation when you’re asked to take a different role, but he’s accepted it. He’s tried to get better on the football field; done everything we’ve asked him to do. It was good to see him get back on the football field and make the pick.”