Chicago Bears Week 12 Report Card: Epic Defensive Failure

Nov 24, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Bears free safety Chris Conte (47) closes in on St. Louis Rams running back Benny Cunningham (36) as he carries the ball at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line (F)

Do the Bears even have a defensive line? Why are they forcing Shea McClellin on us?  I know that they’ve been riddled with injuries, especially at defensive tackle.  But allowing a team to AVERAGE nearly 10 yards per carry starts UP FRONT.  The only thing that could have saved them from an F (but didn’t) was the sack by David Bass.

Linebackers (F)

Did the Bears even field linebackers on Sunday?  The Rams were able to run roughshod over the Bears.  This defensive performance left Brian Urlacher rolling over in his FoxSports1 blazer.

Safeties (F-)

This was an epic failure.  Chris Conte actually had a few tackles, mostly because he was chasing down tackles that he should have made 20 yards upfield.  Chris Conte’s angles in run support are an abomination.  There are pee wee safeties who could take better angles than Conte.  And ever since his performance against the Redskins, teams are scheming to get him into single coverage on the outside near the goal line, where all he can do is commit a holding or pass interference penalty.

Cornerbacks (F)

The Rams didn’t do much in the passing game, mostly because they were able to run so effectively on the Bears.  Tim Jennings and Zack Bowman were OK individually, but they get a failing grade because this is a team failure.  It’s got to be all hands on deck to help step up in run support. I missed Peanut and his punch.  When the Bears defenders aren’t creating turnovers, they’re pretty useless.

Special Teams (F)

Nov 24, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester (23) reacts after a his touchdown punt return is called bag during the second half against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. St. Louis defeated Chicago 42-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Remember when the Bears special teams were a strength?  Penalties have progressed from an annoyance to inexcusable.  Craig Steltz’s holding call that negating what would have been Devin Hester’s record-setting punt return was brutal.  Dumb holding calls on kickoff returns continue to set the Bears up with poor field position.

Coaching (F)

I love Marc Trestman’s candor.  He usually offers legitimate reasons, based on statistics and analytics  for why the Bears do what they do.  At some point, you have to break from the numbers and go with common sense.  I just don’t understand why you don’t kick a field goal on the road to make it a one-score game.  The Bears wasted a solid drive to open the third quarter and instead gave the Rams momentum when they were able to turn around and score a field goal of their own to open up a lead.

The Bears came out flat and appeared unprepared.  They were down 14-0 before most fans had settled into their seats.  The reason for the failing grade is that this has become a pattern.  The Bears came out flat for two straight weeks.  It took the weather delay against the Ravens to regroup and get their act together.

For the second straight week, the Bears committed double digit penalties.  Again, that falls on the coaching staff.

What do you think?  What grades would you give?