Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings: Defensive Grades

Secondary: B+

Corners

Maybe this game looks different with Keenum playing for a whole game, as he put up 140 yards in just over a half of action.

But given the inconsistent pressure at times and the mess at linebacker, you have to give it up for the Bears’ secondary play generally.

Kyle Fuller is playing like a guided missile right now and, for the most part, taking to his press coverage assignments very well. Very rarely does he appear completely out of place, as was his trademark over his first three seasons. Don’t look now, but he’s probably playing his way into a new contract with Chicago.

He did get victimized, along with Adrian Amos, on Keenum’s touchdown throw, though.

Prince Amukamara continues to play solid coverage in his return to the lineup as well, nicely covering few throws down the field. He, like Fuller, also came up aggressively to tackle, though he also had an unfortunate miss on Kyle Rudolph on the Vikings’ first touchdown drive.

Also, Bryce Callahan has quietly done a really nice job, making trouble as a blitzer and never allowing easy catches. When he manages to stay on the field, he fits into this defense very nicely as a slot corner.

Safeties

My goodness, when is the last time the Chicago Bears had a safety playing like Eddie Jackson?

He’s still looking for that first interception, but he’s done just about anything else you could want from him this year.

He’s seemingly never in the wrong place (not counting that miscommunication against Atlanta that led to Austin Hooper’s touchdown).

He flies to the football and tackles fundamentally in a way he never did at Alabama, coming up with a few impressive stops so far.

And in coverage? When’s the last time you saw a Bears safety come from out of nowhere for a diving breakup of a sure completion? Or when’s the last time you’ve seen a Bears safety man up against a pass-catching tight end and actually look competent?

And he’s only going to get better from here, I think. I loved the Jackson pick when it happened, and I like it even more now.

Also, Adrian Amos might not be able to intercept a pass thrown right to him, but good gracious, he can hit.

I don’t approve of him getting juked by Keenum in the open field, of course, but for the most part, I’ll live with what Amos gave us as long as Jackson evens out his lack of ball skills. They actually might complement each other just about perfectly.

Next: Offensive grades for Chicago Bears vs. Vikings

Look at that, everyone. The Chicago Bears secondary arguably played the best out of all the defensive units yesterday.

Hard to hate too much on that.