The Chicago Bears will travel to Green Bay on Sunday to finish their 2023 season with a win to cap off a 6-2 run to end the year. One of the more significant reasons for Chicago’s turnaround has been the dominance of their defense and their league-leading 22 interceptions. Head coach Matt Eberflus’ success as a defensive play-caller since taking over the role in Week 2 completely demonstrates how well of a coaching job he has done with his defense.
Bears Defense Is Taking the Ball Away And Not Being Beat By Opposing Pass-Catchers
Despite not forcing a turnover in their first two games, the Bears have consistently forced turnovers in their games, whether win or lose. The defense, which started the season off as one of the worst units in the league through the first five weeks, can finish as one of the best in the NFL at season’s end. Chicago’s defensive side of the ball allowed a 300-yard passing game to three of the first five quarterbacks they faced while only allowing two quarterbacks since that eclipsed the 250-yard mark.
The interceptions have steadily increased week by week, as in the Bears’ four games in December, the defense picked off opposing quarterbacks nine times. Heading into the season finale against Green Bay, Chicago will have three players with four interceptions, with linebacker T.J. Edwards being able to join Tremaine Edmunds, Jaylon Johnson, and rookie Tyrique Stevenson if he can record an interception against quarterback Jordan Love. Each one of the Bears’ starting defensive backs has recorded a takeaway.
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What is especially remarkable is how the Bears are creating the takeaways as each defender is jumping routes or beating a pass-catcher to the ball. Rarely has there been a situation where Chicago has gotten an interception due to a highly inaccurate throw from an opposing quarterback or confusion on a wrong route ran by a wide receiver. Additionally, few of Chicago’s interceptions have come because of tipped passes, which used to be a staple of former head coach Lovie Smith’s Cover-2 defense.
Eberflus and defensive assistant Phil Snow have overseen a defense, including the defensive secondary, where the players know what the opposing offense is doing. The defensive coaching staff has done a tremendous job with in-week preparation and film breakdown, as very rarely has the unit been beaten by an opposing offense for a big passing play. This was not the case at the beginning of the season, as in Chicago’s first four games, they allowed a pass-play of forty yards or more in three of the contests.
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Even more impressive has been the teams Chicago has been creating the most interceptions against. In the Bears’ past five games, they have forced three or more interceptions against opponents who are either in the playoffs or were in contention for the playoffs. In three games against Joe Flacco and Jared Goff, the Bears picked off the two quarterbacks a combined nine times. Flacco and Goff have only had bad performances against Chicago, as the two passers have excelled and had near-historic performances against other opponents.
A Dominant Performance Against Green Bay Would Be Extremely Fitting
A dominant defensive performance against Green Bay in Lambeau Field would be very satisfying for Eberflus and his defense, given what transpired in the season-opening game between the two teams at Soldier Field. Leading up to the beginning of the season, the Bears were expected to win due to the departure of All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the offseason. Despite the high expectations for their defense, Chicago was blown out by Green Bay, losing 38-20, allowing Love to throw three touchdowns, and was able to find all open targets at will.
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Chicago’s defense, especially the secondary, looked unprepared, as none of the starters came close to taking away a pass from Love. To make the situation worse, the Packers game would start an unfortunate trend as each member of the secondary would suffer an injury in the Bears’ first four games, as cornerback Kyler Gordon broke his hand and missed the next four games. Chicago’s defense didn’t begin to play well until all of their starting defensive backs had returned by Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings.
If the Bears’ defense can contain the Packers’ offense, especially after how their offense exploded this past Sunday night against a proven Viking’s defense, it will demonstrate how good Chicago’s defensive unit is. Overcoming the resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams, injuries that at one point knocked out the entire starting secondary, and multiple blowout losses to become the league leader in interceptions will be an unbelievable accomplishment by the Bears. Despite just missing the playoffs, the turnaround by Chicago’s defense from the worst-rank unit last season to one of the best will be one of the most impressive turnarounds ever.
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When Fields throws a perfect pass that touches the hands of his receiver for a for sure touchdown, they’ll need to actually catch those if they want to win this game.
Do I hear an echo here? MB wrote something very similar to the last paragraph that Steve Pusch wrote. . . . . Hmmmmm.
The defense of the Packers has been susceptible to runs, and running quarterbacks. Tommy DeVito gave them fits when they played the Giants. Packer fans wanted him fired for losing to an . . . . undrafted free agent rookie quarterback!!!!!
The best thing about interceptions is that it disrupts not only the physical play, but interferes with passing attempts as well. Psychologically, offensive coordinators and quarterbacks will call a more conservative game to avoid turnovers. That keeps the potential score lower.
The defense should keep them in the game. If the offense cannot make big mistakes, and play all four quarters it’ll be a close game. We have to win the turnover battle. Can’t get soft in the fourth quarter if we have a lead.