Chicago Bears lose to Atlanta Falcons: Defensive grades

The Chicago Bears, while showing signs of being a top defense, let the game slip away with crucial mistakes against Atlanta.

Full disclosure: when yesterday’s game started, I was riding in a car jailbreaking for home so that I could get in front of a TV. However, thanks to the magic of radio and FoxSportsGo, I didn’t miss any action from the first half of the Chicago Bears hanging tough with the Atlanta Falcons.

And I must say, there’s something about watching a tough, hard-nosed and angry Chicago Bears defense that just gets one’s blood pumping.

I say that fully aware the offense looked like it could be a bottom-five unit again this season and won’t do the defense any favors. And I’m also aware that the Bears’ secondary continues to gift-wrap long touchdown throws to elite quarterbacks for some reason. Naturally, nothing in Bears Land can be without blemish.

But come on – don’t act like watching Akiem Hicks, Jerrell Freeman, Nick Kwiatkowski and Kyle Fuller (?!) running around sticking people doesn’t get you a little juiced.

The best part about this performance, minus late miscues, is that it appears to confirm what many hope about this Chicago Bears defense: they’re really good. They were good all preseason, and, provided health, they’re going to stay good now, even against top offenses.

If the offense can catch up, and if they can limit their own crunch-time mistakes, Bears fans could be in for a surprise this year.

Let’s take a look at yesterday’s defensive performance for the Chicago Bears, starting up front.