LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Coaches and players downplayed the players-only film session held by Chicago's defense last week prior to the team's 21-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings, but nobody's denying the positive impact.

After surrendering 27 points or more in three consecutive games, including 50-plus in losses to Green Bay and New England, the Bears limited Minnesota 13 points and 243 total yards, in addition to stalling the Vikings' offense to a 2-of-11 performance on third downs.

"We talked last week about everyone needing to do more," Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker explained Wednesday. "Players and coaches together, just looking to take it up a notch. I think that was an effort on their part to take some extra time together as a unit. I think that was a positive. I think it paid off for us."

Tucker approached Jared Allen about holding the meeting, according to the defensive end, who said the staff "wanted to give us an opportunity to take over as leaders and add some accountability to the defense."

"He approached me about it," Allen said. "I thought it was a good idea. It's a good way for guys to understand what each group is doing. It's just another way to hold each other accountable and to build off things and create communication."

Allen stressed the meeting "really wasn't a big deal." But its effects on the defense can't be denied as the group held the Vikings to just 10 first downs, while taking the ball away once on an interception, in addition to producing two sacks.

"This is not something unusual," Bears coach Marc Trestman said of the meeting. "The more we can do things together, oftentimes we can get better that way. It's another way to get better, another format for the guys. It's a positive thing. It's encouraging the guys want to do those types of things."

Linebacker Lance Briggs jokingly denied the meeting ever took place, before adding "what I can tell you about the players-only meeting was that the information is for the players only."

Fair enough, but it's clear the approach worked for defense against the Vikings.

The group faces another challenge Sunday when the Bears host former head coach Lovie Smith and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Smith set a high standard for Chicago's defense during his nine-year tenure as the team's head coach.

Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown, who served as the backup in Chicago last season, doesn't see much difference in the club's defense now compared to his time as a Bear.

"It's very similar to what I saw last year, very similar to what we've practiced against here down here in training camp," McCown said. "This last game, it really looked like they flew around, made some plays, played with great energy and great juice. So we expect nothing less come Sunday."