Dennis Allen finally unleashed his defense’s full potential vs. former team in Week 7, but now he might have a new concern
The Chicago Bears defense shined against the New Orleans Saints in Week 7.
Easily the biggest staff hire Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson made was naming Dennis Allen the team’s next defensive coordinator. Earlier in the week, Johnson called Allen a “godsend” for the experience and defensive brilliance he brought to Chicago ahead of facing his former team in the New Orleans Saints.
“He’s been a very successful coach in this league for a long time,” Johnson said of Allen earlier in the week. “And I think you’ve got to continue to evolve. You can’t just be stagnant in this league, or else someone younger, hungrier will find a way to surpass you, and he hasn’t allowed that to happen. He’s done this at a high level.”
Week 7 was another strong outing for Allen’s unit, outside of two drives, against the Saints’ offense. Chicago forced four turnovers on Sunday, with another turnover on downs. Improved health for the defense is a significant reason why Allen’s unit is finally starting to click.
Dennis Allen took advantage of having key chess pieces on the field together
Last week against the Washington Commanders, slot cornerback Kyler Gordon made his season debut, and linebacker T.J. Edwards returned to the field for the first time since Week 2. While they’re presence was notable last Monday, this week showed the real potential for this unit.
Let’s start with Gordon. The newly paid nickel cornerback had high expectations in this new scheme going into the season. Allen viewed him as a player who could play anywhere and make an impact against the run and pass. His return also gave Allen a new way to get after the quarterback, as shown by his second-quarter sack.
Gordon is just one chess piece for Allen’s defense. The other is safety Jaquan Brisker. Last week, Brisker snagged his first interception of the season, and against the Saints, Brisker logged his first sack of the season as well. With Gordon and Brisker, Allen has two versatile players who can play anywhere to disguise coverages and confuse the quarterback.
With those two players causing some havoc, the other players capitalized. Safety Kevin Byard and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds added interceptions, and the defense totaled four sacks after entering the game with just eight sacks in the first five games.
As good as it was for Allen’s unit against his former team, the Bears’ defense did suffer one notable injury to watch going into Week 8.
Tyrique Stevenson’s shoulder injury will be something to watch after Week 7
During the third quarter, outside cornerback Tyrique Stevenson left the game with a shoulder injury and did not return. Following Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s groin injury, Stevenson was forced into the No. 1 CB role and largely made the most of the opportunity.
After he went down, Nick McCloud replaced him on the outside. Fellow outside cornerback Nahshon Wright briefly left the game but did return. Wright and McCloud have been easily the biggest blemishes for the Bears’ defense this season.
Turning to those two as the main starters if Stevenson can’t go in Week 8 against a dangerous quarterback in Lamar Jackson could be bad news.
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