Bears’ Week 1 showing has two defensive backs under the microscope heading into an even tougher test against the Vikings
Chicago Bears cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson got exposed against the Carolina Panthers, and now a tougher challenge awaits against Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Much as been made about this head-to-head matchup on Sunday between Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and rightfully so. It’s going to be a masterpiece between two of the league’s best play-callers.
But, there’s another side of this game that needs to be talked about as well between Dennis Allen’s defense and Kevin O’Connell’s offense that can easily decide this game as well. Especially with how Allen’s defense looked in Week 1 after allowing 37 points.
“I thought certain guys played really well,” Ben Johnson said of the Bears’ defense performance in Week 1. “But just as a collective, we probably didn’t have as many winning performances as we need to play championship-level defense.”
Chicago Bears will need to play at a championship-level to defend Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison
Last week, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young picked the Bears apart defensively alongside his top two WRs in Jalen Coker and Tetairoa McMillan. This week, the Bears have an even tougher test against the WR duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Minnesota’s quarterback position is still up in the air with Kyler Murray still in the concussion protocol. But, whether it’s Murray or Carson Wentz under center, the threat remains the same with the way #18 played last Sunday.
“Justin’s always been, I would say, top one or two since probably his second year in the league,” Jaylon Johnson said. “He’s an explosive wide receiver, a guy who makes plays, makes really good catches, and runs good routes. I don’t think there’s a flaw to his game. At the end of the day, you have to cover routes. You have to understand what they’re doing, how they get them the ball, the ball placement, and where they throw the ball.”
That’s not to overlook the threat Addison is as well. In his last three games against the Bears, Addison has totaled 17 receptions for 245 yards and two touchdowns. He’s just as much of a downfield threat for Chicago’s secondary to deal with.
Then there’s also the feisty veteran in Jauan Jennings, who can really test you mentally with the way he plays the game and the smack talk he brings on the field.
If Chicago’s top two cornerbacks play how they did last week, this game will be over real quick without even talking about how well Ben Johnson’s offense did against Brian Flores’ defense.
All eyes need to be on Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson this week
For two players entering a pivotal prove-it year with little long-term security, Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson flat out stunk in Week 1. Johnson allowed 127 yards against the Panthers and repeatedly fell victim to double moves. Stevenson wasn’t much better allowing 77 yards and two touchdowns in coverage. Luckily, Chicago’s offense scored 59 points so the team still came away with a win.
“They were excited that the team won the game and both of them felt like they could play better than they did,” Ben Johnson said. “We got a chance next week to come back and start all over again and play better. I expect that out of them.”
Johnson has more of a leash to work with than Stevenson does. Even still, there was so much hype around the team’s #1 corner this offseason and how he looked like his old self once again. He needs a bounce back performance more than anyone and shadowing one of the top receivers in the game will be as big an opportunity as any.
As for Stevenson, he’s once again on bench watch. He got thoroughly outplayed in Week 1 by rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad, who I still feel is a better player on the outside than at nickel. If Stevenson struggles and veteran safety Xavier Woods returns this week, I could easily see Allen moving Muhammad outside, moving Cam Lewis to the slot, and sending Stevenson back to watch from the sideline.
All eyes need to be on those two outside corners to see how they respond from last week’s performance.
