Run more stunts to get at the quarterback and start mixing up coverages.
Defensive coordinator Alan Williams did not call a blitz. Not much-designed pressure was drawn up against a quarterback making his second-career NFL start.
Instead, the Bears relied on the fundamental principles of the Cover-2 defense by asking the front four to generate a pass rush.
It did not work.
I thought this #Bears defense would've come up with new ways to attack QBs after a season where they were THE WORST defense in ball, but instead they're trotting out the same stagnant 4-down Cover 2 defense.
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) September 10, 2023
Innovation? Man coverage? Modern concepts? Blitzing? Nah, Cover 2 baby
Yannick Ngakoue was the only player able to generate much of a pass rush for the Chicago Bears. He finished a sack, a quarterback hit, and two tackles for a loss. Otherwise, the defensive line got pushed around.
Justin Jones talked a lot of smack leading up to the game and he did not even register an assisted tackle. Andrew Billings started off great and then disappeared. Then the rest of the edge rushers did nothing.
A lot of fans were calling for more blitzes. It is not a bad idea to send Tremaine Edmunds or T.J. Edwards. At the same time, it cannot be an all-out jail break blitz on every down.
Instead, stunting more is a way to start generating pressure. DeMarcus Walker can rush from the outside and the interior. Try mixing up the matchups post-snap and find ways to get creative with rushing the four-down linemen.
Mixing up coverages also would be a good idea.
Bears running almost exclusive quarters and split field trap coverage. Looking like they are trying to confuse Love into a mistake.
— Michael Gus (@MichaelGus57) September 10, 2023
It’s also why I imagine they aren’t blitzing at all. I do give them credit for running a more modern MOF system.
Rookie Tyrique Stevenson’s strength is playing man coverage. Sometimes running some man or single-high coverage might be a better idea. Dropping into a zone is going to leave spots open in the field to get picked apart. If the defense is not getting pressure or turnovers, the opposing offense is going to get more touchdowns than field goals.
"It's bullshit."
— Josh Schrock (@Schrock_And_Awe) September 11, 2023
"We got punched in our face."
"We were riding too high."
The "dominant" defense the Bears talked about didn't show up vs. the Packers. They were overconfident, underprepared, and undisciplined.
All that's left is how they respond:https://t.co/389YHC31vX
Something has to be done to fix the defense. Otherwise, the Chicago Bears are going to keep losing games.