Chicago Bears’ Opportunistic Defense Making Up for Injuries, Shortcomings
Published by Zach Kruse on September 23, 2014
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The product hasn’t always been aesthetically pleasing, but the opportunistic nature of the Chicago Bears defense has been good enough to help overcome a growing number of injuries and secure road wins against the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets in consecutive weeks.
On Monday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Bears gave up 414 total yards but also caused three Jets turnovers, including a pick-six from safety Ryan Mundy that gave Chicago a 7-0 lead just 32 seconds into the game.
Over the next 59-and-a-half minutes, the Bears played bend-but-don’t-break defense—making just enough stops to escape MetLife Stadium with a 27-19 win.
Both the story and ending were similar a week prior in San Francisco.
The Bears allowed 359 yards, including 312 total yards to quarterback Colin Kaepernick, but four takeaways flipped what was a 17-0 deficit Chicago’s way. Two late interceptions from rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller—who also played a key factor in Monday night’s result—set the Bears up for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, and Chicago left San Francisco a 28-20 winner.
The Jets rarely had trouble moving the football Monday. New York tallied 21 first downs, averaged 5.8 yards over 72 plays, rushed for 114 yards and made six trips into the red zone.
But New York scored just 19 points, largely thanks to three giveaways and an inability to score touchdowns once inside the 20-yard line.
Mundy’s interception on the game’s second play was a gift from Jets quarterback Geno Smith. A screen pass to running back Chris Johnson was wildly overthrown, and a charging Mundy had an easy catch and an unburdened path to the end zone for six points.
Four minutes later, the Jets muffed a punt. Safety Ahmad Dixon recovered, which led to a second touchdown and a 14-0 lead for the Bears four plays later.
In the third quarter, Fuller kept the Bears’ lead at 24-13 when he made a leaping interception of Smith in the end zone. He also forced two fumbles, although neither was successfully recovered by the Bears.
Linebacker Jon Bostic should have ended the game with an interception on New York’s final series. Fuller also had a chance to put away the game with a pick of Smith at or near the goal line.
“We harp on takeaways every day,” Fuller said on ESPN’s postgame set.
It shows. The Bears have seven takeaways over the last two weeks and eight overall this season, which is tied for the NFL lead with the New England Patriots.
The Jets couldn’t get out of their own way in the red zone.
Rookie defensive tackle Ego Ferguson sacked Smith for a 13-yard loss in the first quarter, forcing a field-goal attempt after the Jets had first down at the Chicago 15-yard line. The Jets advanced to the Bears’ 10-yard line a drive later but still had to settled for a 28-yard chip shot after failing on third down.
After the Jets finally found the end zone on Jeremy Kerley’s 19-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, Fuller picked off Smith on New York’s first trip into the red zone of the second half. Smith scrambled to his left but forced a wild throw into the end zone, and Fuller was there to bring down his third interception of the young season.
A series later, the Jets had 3rd-and-goal at the Bears’ 2-yard line, but a designed quarterback draw with Smith was stuffed for a two-yard loss. New York settled for a 22-yard field goal.
The Bears put the nail in the Jets’ coffin when the defense stopped New York on 4th-and-5 from the Chicago 9-yard line with just over a minute to go in the contest and the Bears up eight points.
It was bend-but-don’t-break defense at its very best.
Overall, nine of the Jets’ 11 drives totaled 20 or more yards. Eight of the 11 lasted five or more plays, and the Jets had just two three-and-outs. Five of the drives scored points, and at least two others were in a good position to score.
Yet despite all the production from New York, the Bears still allowed fewer than 20 points for the first time since Dec. 23, 2012. The Jets’ 19 points Monday snapped that unsightly 19-game streak for the Bears, which stretched over three seasons.
The final result was even more impressive, considering the injuries the Bears faced, especially in the secondary.
Already down cornerbacks Charles Tillman (triceps) and Sherrick McManis (quad), tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion) and linebacker Shea McClellin (hand), the Bears saw both Mundy and Chris Conte leave the contest with shoulder injuries. Safety Danny McCray also left briefly.
With reinforcements running low, the Bears found a way to hide any new holes and keep the Jets out of the end zone.
“We talk about poise all the time,” Fuller said. “I never felt any panic from the guys out there.”
Injury updates from those hurt Monday night were not immediately known.
The Bears have work to do on defense, especially with a sure-to-be cranky Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers coming to Chicago next week. Rodgers isn’t prone to same kind of game-changing mistakes committed by Kaepernick and Smith over the last two weeks.
Still, the Bears can survive with an opportunistic defense that creates scoring chances and makes key stops. Back-to-back wins on the road have proved it.
Zach Kruse covers the NFC North for Bleacher Report.
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