Matt Nagy experienced this situation before. Last year, his team lost going into their bye week and then proceeded to lose three in a row coming out of it. The season was in a death spiral. However, the head coach managed to stop the bleeding with four wins in the next five games. That was enough to reach 8-8. While the offense had some okay moments during that stretch, the head coach owed a ton of that success to the Chicago Bears defense.
In the first three wins of that run, they allowed 13, 14, and 20 points respectively. Then against a loaded Dallas Cowboys team on Thursday night, they allowed just seven points through the first three quarters, allowing the offense to build a commanding 24-7 lead. Dallas managed 17 garbage time points but the game was pretty much over by that point.
Now? It doesn’t feel like the defense can save Nagy this time.
Not only are they coming off their worst performance of the season in Green Bay, allowing 34 points including over 150 yards on the ground. They’re also considerably banged up. Akiem Hicks still hasn’t practiced due to a hamstring injury he suffered against Minnesota. Now Khalil Mack isn’t practicing either due to a back problem that surfaced against the Packers.
Combine that with the still missed presence of Eddie Goldman and the regression of Buster Skrine at nickel cornerback. The cracks have shown way too often for this group. No doubt a byproduct of spending so much time on the field thanks to their own offense. Now they’ll be asked to hold quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford, Deshaun Watson, Kirk Cousins, and Aaron Rodgers in check down the stretch to save Nagy’s job.
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That sounds like asking too much.
Update:
LB Khalil Mack has been added to today's injury report (back, DNP). https://t.co/TwvHQHmlvC pic.twitter.com/4qgWekOhfR— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) December 2, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edr78U2Ab30&ab_channel=SkipandShannon
Chicago Bears defense gave Nagy every opportunity
Let us not forget the defense has already done more than enough to give this team a spot in the playoff picture. They gave up 19 points in two games this year and the Bears lost. They forced a Saints punt in overtime that made it where a field goal could’ve won it. Instead, Nick Foles completed one pass and got sacked twice on the subsequent drive, punting it right back to New Orleans.
It’s little moments like that which define this entire season. Missed opportunities. An anemic offense and a defense that is growing weary trying to carry it. Nagy made a lot of promises when he arrived in 2018. He could modernize the offense. He could elevate Mitch Trubisky. None of that has happened. It seems like he’s been so hell-bent on being like Andy Reid that he failed to discover his own identity.
That failure could stick with him long after he’s shown the door.
The Chicago Bears defense did everything they could to make this season a success. They’re a talented group with a lot of pride but every unit has a breaking point. There’s a reason football is a team sport. It’s rare for teams with good offenses but bad defenses to make the playoffs. It’s even rarer for teams with good defenses but bad offenses to make it. Until the Bears learn how to get both sides right at the same time, this will keep happening.