Bears’ Week 2 loss to Lions exposed a glaring liability and it’s not something the team will be able to fix anytime soon
It could a consistent issue all season.
A lot went wrong in a hurry for the Chicago Bears’ defense in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions. Any time you give up 50+ points and 500+ yards of offense, it’s inexcusable.
The entire defense is at fault for what happened on Sunday. Explosive plays were easy to come by, the running game found successful consistency, and the pass rush was absolutely nonexistent.
Those were all major concerns for this unit, but the part that really bothered me was the play in the secondary being the biggest liability, and it’s not something that will be able to be fixed anytime soon.
Outside CB remains a major liability, even with Jaylon Johnson on the field
The Bears were expected to get a big boost defensively in Week 2 with the return of Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, but going into this game, I mentioned how his return might not be enough to fully defend the Lions’ core of elite play-makers. I was right.
Johnson ended up playing 20 defensive snaps before reaggravating his groin injury and eventually getting ruled out for the game. But, even when Johnson was on the field, the Lions were having a field day against the team’s opposite outside cornerback.
It’s not something we’ve never seen before. Opposing offenses and quarterbacks have been abusing that position for the last three years when Johnson is on the field because nobody wants to go his way with the football, and rightfully so.
One of the main problems here is that the other outside cornerback position continues to be a major liability in coverage and that fact only increased after Johnson left the game.
After the last two weeks, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson has now allowed 124 yards on eight targets (15.5 yards per target). Nahshon Wright has allowed 72 yards on four targets (18.0 yards per target) along with the costly pass interference in Week 1.
The team is desperately missing Kyler Gordon as well. Backup nickel Nick McCloud has allowed 99 yards on eight targets (12.4 yards per target) with two touchdowns allowed in coverage. These guys simply aren’t able to win their one-on-ones in man coverage.
On the flip side of things, this is a difficult scheme for cornerbacks, we knew that going into it. There is going to be a lot of pressure on that position unless the pass rush is able to hit home. So far through two weeks, that hasn’t been the case, putting these cornerbacks in a tough spot.
It’s something other offenses will continue to take advantage of until players like Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo can consistently produce pressure on the quarterback.
Chicago Bears News
One critical moment deflated the Bears in Week 2 and forging a mentally tough locker room remains a major challenge for Ben Johnson
It’s not going to be easy.
