Chicago Bears Week 14: What To Look For

Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears secondary has to finally cover someone. 

Tell me if you have heard this before. Last week, the Bears secondary was torched. Matthew Stafford had 390 passing yards, 146 of them to Calvin Johnson. Johnson gave rookie Kyle Fuller a lesson on the field.

I hope Fullar learned his lesson well. This week he will have to cover Dez Bryant. Hopefully, though, he will get some help (some real help this time). Terrance Williams, the other receiver has struggled after a hot start. After reaching the end zone six times in the first seven games, he has not scored since.

Without Willams’ help on the other side, the Bears can put more attention on Bryant. Of course, they also have to watch out for tight end Jason Witten.

This secondary unit has to show some pride. Last year, the Bears defense could not stop anyone on the ground. This season, they cannot stop anyone through the air.

Receivers are getting open very quickly. So quickly, in fact, that the secondary isn’t giving the defensive line enough time to get to the quarterback. After knocking Stafford around in the first quarter of the game on Thanksgiving, the linemen could not get to him the rest of the game, even though they came very close on several occasions. If the secondary had just covered a little bit better, Stafford would have eaten the turf more.

Tim Jennings has to show some leadership. He is the main guy in the secondary now, so he has to give the young guys guidance. He also needs to get some interceptions. After getting 13 interceptions in the past two seasons (second only to Richard Sherman), he has none this season. He has come close, but that doesn’t do anything for the team. He needs to show some leadership skills on the field now, because he hasn’t done so at all this season.

Next: Throw the ball downfield a bit