Brad Biggs at the Chicago Tribune has highlighted a recent flaw in the Bears defense.
There was plenty of blame to pass around for the missed kick and many fair questions after the 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. But focusing on poor protection, a low kick, choosing not not to run another play and whether the left hashmark was ideal obscured an issue that has plagued the Bears recently and could be their undoing if it happens again Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.
The pass rush, spearheaded by defensive end Montez Sweat, has been lackluster of late, short of the level the Bears need to execute the plan of complementary football they talk about when charting a path to victory.
It’s been really interesting that the defense was under a little bit more scrutiny this week after new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown took over to improve the offensive performance against the Packers. But it important to note two things:
- The defense held the Packers to 20 points. An average team that holds an opponent to 20 points has every right to expect to win.
- The Bears offense was held to 19 points. On an average team, that’s considered to be very poor.
The defense is fine. I’m posting this early before the beginning of the Vikings game but I’ll be very surprised if they don’t hold the Vikings to under 20 points, as well, despite the apparent problems with the pass rush.
I guess what I’m saying is, this isn’t what I’m most focused on.
Having said that, it is a problem and the defense would certainly be much better, especially against very good teams like the Lions on Thursday, if they could get pressure without blitzing. In that respect, I thought the Bears plan to correct the problem was interesting.
Defensive line coach Travis Smith said resetting along the line doesn’t mean overhauling what they have been doing.
“Whenever you get some adversity or frustrations, a lot of people look outward to blame or say, ‘We need to do something different, we need to get fancier, we need to look at the trends,’ ” Smith said. “I think reset means let’s reteach us.”
I think “reset” is an interesting word but in my world it means the same thing that good coaches always talk about in situations like this. When there’s a problem, go back to your fundamentals. I’m sure that’s what the Bears defensive linemen spent their week doing.
The Lions on a short week are next on the docket after the Vikings. Here’s hoping what the Bears are doing bears fruit soon.