Alaskan's audition didn't go as hoped

The former Bartlett High standout, who replaced Tim Jennings as the starter Sunday night, had some difficulty covering the Packers' receivers. He was on the short end of three touchdowns, including goal-line scores by James Jones and Jordy Nelson.

"It was some tough plays out there, but all in all, I was just doing everything that (the Bears) wanted me to do," Bowman said. "The two slants, the back-shoulder fade, those are tough plays. I was in position. I just have to find some way to get the ball out."

Jennings replaced Bowman late in the game.

Both Bowman and Jennings have expiring contracts, meaning the Bears have decisions to make this offseason. They could bolster the position through free agency or the draft.

Two of the touchdown passes Bowman surrendered came on receptions that were on short slants. It's almost impossible for any corner to cover those plays unless they are jamming the receiver, and Bears corners were playing slightly off.

"Zack Bowman will be blamed for an awful lot and he needed to make a couple plays, but we didn't get enough pressure up front," Smith said.

Bowman knows the Vikings' game might be important to his future.

"You have to make the plays," Bowman said. "Other than the red-zone situations today, I was out there fighting. I was out there competing. I had some tackles. At the end of the day, you have to make plays."