The Chicago Bears continue to prepare for their Week 5 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, as the team looks to bounce back after losing to the New York Giants. There are concerns with the Bears on offense and defense, as Chicago’s defense is on pace to allow the most rushing yards over a season in franchise history. Despite the struggles, there have been several positives that show head coach Matt Eberflus and defensive coordinator Alan Williams building the defense slowly but surely.
The Bears Continue to Make Impact Plays On Defense
Chicago’s defense has had issues stopping the run and keeping opponents from scoring, as their last three opponents have averaged 22 points per game and have allowed 733 rushing yards this season. Despite the glaring issues, the Bears’ defense continues to make impact plays, whether it’s sacks or creating turnovers. Through the first four games of the season, Chicago has recorded at least one sack and one turnover in every game.
According to Pro Football Reference, the #Bears' defense is currently ranked No. 3 in QB pressures per dropback at 29.7%.
Definitely wasn't expecting that considering the Bears have 35 QB Pressures (tied for 17th) and just 7 sacks (Tied for the fourth least).
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) October 4, 2022
Safety Eddie Jackson is having a resurgent season, as he has recorded three interceptions in the team’s first four games. The three interceptions by the 2018 All-Pro safety are more than he has had in the last three seasons combined. Jackson is benefiting from the stellar play from rookie safety Jaquan Brisker, who is helping to defend against both the run and pass. Brisker has 25 tackles, one fumble recovery, and one sack this season.
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.@JaquanBrisker comin' in HOT 🔥
📺: #CHIvsNYG on FOX pic.twitter.com/So4OC5xagK
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 2, 2022
Chicago’s younger players on defense are driving the impact plays, especially with sacks, as the team has brought down opposing quarterbacks seven times. Over half of the Bears’ sacks have come from defensive players that have been in the league for three years or less. Defensive ends Trevis Gibson and Dominique Robinson have generated consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which has been highly beneficial given All-Pro defensive end Robert Quinn’s slow start.
The other significant stat to focus on with the Bears’ impact plays is when they are creating turnovers, as they have created a turnover in the second half of all their games. Additionally, they have forced an interception in the fourth quarter in three of their four games. The fourth-quarter takeaways have played pivotal roles in the Bears’ two wins as Jackson’s interception against the 49ers set up a touchdown which extended Chicago’s lead to 19-10, while Roquan Smith’s interception against the Houston Texans led to the eventual game-winning field goal by Cairo Santos.
6. Not everything is terrible with the #Bears defense.
They've already forced seven turnovers in the first four games. They had 16 total last year.
That part of the H.I.T.S principle is already showing results.
It should get better as they stack more young talent.
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) October 3, 2022
Chicago’s Defense Will Get Better As The Season Progresses
Although defensive rookies like Brisker and Robinson have thrived early in the season, others, such as cornerback Kyler Gordon, have struggled immensely. Gordon has been targeted by opposing offenses on passing and rushing plays while consistently being exposed. The rookie cornerback was drafted by the Bears with the 39th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and was expected to perform well in pass coverage. Against the Packers, Gordon was significantly targeted by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. This past Sunday, the Giants continued to rollout quarterback Daniel Jones towards the side of the field the rookie cornerback was covering.
Gordon’s struggles should improve as the weeks go on as the rest of Chicago’s secondary is playing well to start the season as Jackson, Brisker, and Jaylon Johnson in the limited time he has played. A key reason to believe that Chicago’s rookie cornerback and the defense will improve is that the Bears have yet to allow a touchdown in the second half of their games. The ability to prevent touchdowns demonstrates that the defensive coaches, led by Eberflus and Williams, are making the correct halftime adjustments with the players executing those adjustments.
Kyler Gordon continues to get beat like a drum. Really rough start continues for him. #Bears defense struggling on this drive.
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) October 2, 2022
Even if the Bears’ defense is struggling now, the key is to see how the unit can improve as the season progresses, especially with the younger players. Chicago’s pass defense features younger players that are expected to help build a foundation during the Bears’ rebuild. Outside of Smith, Chicago’s linebacker and defensive tackle position will be addressed significantly during the offseason, whether through free agency or the 2023 NFL Draft.
If the Bears’ rush defense can improve over the next several games, the team’s pass defense will have more chances to generate sacks or turnovers. Although Chicago’s defense has struggled from a statistical standpoint, they have given the team a chance to win three of their four games, despite the troubling struggles of the offense. The Bears can be a team that wins several games in the second half of the season, depending on if they can continue to build on their positive traits.
I like how he can say Fields is bad as a QB but then also say Kmet is a terrible TE without referencing the bad QB play and comparing him to Kelce and Hockenson. By the same respect Mooney is a bust since Diggs has 4 TDs and Evans has 3 TDs and Mooney has 0.