Chicago Bears: What we learned from loss to Packers

Questionable pass defense

Throughout the first half, it would have been a little more difficult for you to realize just how mediocre, and dare I say, bad, the Bears secondary was. Throughout the first 30 minutes of football on Sunday night, the Bears had all of the momentum.

The focus was all on the pass rush. Not only was Khalil Mack the party starter, but Akiem Hicks, Roy Robertson-Harris and Leonard Floyd were all getting in on the fun. Rodgers was under pressure nearly every snap he took in the first two quarters.

Then, the second half came.

In the third and fourth quarters, Mike McCarthy changed up his offense to atone for the price he had paid in the first half. No longer was he allowing his quarterback to have more than a couple of seconds to throw. It was all about quick passes and getting the ball out in a much more efficient manner. Kudos to McCarthy for dealing with the pass rush in this way — it worked.

The Bears’ secondary almost had no idea what to do with themselves if they weren’t backed by a vicious pass rush. On some occasions — although rare — the Packers’ offensive line did indeed give Rodgers a little time to throw, and he made the Bears pay.

Mostly, in the second half though, Rodgers got the ball out early and into the hands of his pass catchers where they could move the chains. On a couple of instances, Kyle Fuller looked lost. Even the safeties bit down on a few occasions, leaving Fuller out to dry — take that long touchdown to Geronimo Allison for example.

When Rodgers got the ball out quickly, the secondary appeared unprepared. This goes for linebacker play as well — I’m looking at you, Nick Kwiatkoski.

The middle of the field was a disaster with Kwiatkoski on the field. Next week, I fully expect Roquan Smith to be manning that spot with Kwiatkoski on the bench.