Chicago Bears struggle in loss to Broncos
By Andrew Poole
Nov 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) under pressure from Chicago Bears inside linebacker Shea McClellin (50) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Defense: C-
This was a tough grade to figure out.
The Bears’ defense surrendered 17 points, tied with the Chiefs game as their second-lowest point allowed total of the season. The pass rush was very impressive, collecting five sacks. They managed to stuff Denver on a fourth-and-one (with a little help from Osweiler, who tripped the running back) inside the Bears’ five following Cutler’s interception in the third quarter.
That’s the end of the good things.
The pass coverage was atrocious. Osweiler, making his first start, was 20-of-27 for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Denver was playing without one of its best targets in Emmanuel Sanders, but the Bears’ weak secondary still couldn’t manage to even contest most of the passes attempted by Denver’s new starting quarterback.
Nov 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) runs past Chicago Bears inside linebacker Christian Jones (59) during a 48 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
There were a handful of completely blown coverages, particularly on Demaryius Thomas’ touchdown in the first quarter, when he was about the only player in the middle of the field when he snagged a short pass and ran 48 yards for the score.
For the second straight game, the Bears’ defense was unprepared on the other team’s first possession. Denver scored in four plays on its first possession, with Thomas being left wide open on the scoring play. Against the Rams, the defense surrendered a touchdown in seven plays, two of which featured wide open pass plays to Jared Cook and Todd Gurley that covered a combined 60 yards.
A more concerning problem, though – along with yet another game where they didn’t force a turnover, the fifth such game this season — was the rush defense.
Nov 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman (23) is defended by Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Denver struggles to run the ball consistently. In their first nine games, six times they ran the ball for less than 70 yards. In the other three, they ran for 144, 152 and 160 yards, respectively.
With a backup quarterback making the start for Denver, the Bears should have been prepared for a steady diet of Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson; instead, Denver stampeded the Bears’ front seven for 170 yards on 36 carries, just shy of five yards a carry. Hillman had 102 yards on 21 carries, and Anderson had 59 yards on 12 carries.
Nov 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) is forced out of bounds by Chicago Bears outside linebacker Jonathan Anderson (58) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
It was the seventh game this year where the Bears defense allowed more than 100 rushing yards, but it comes on the heels of two games where they held the St. Louis Rams or San Diego Chargers to fewer than 100 rushing yards.
That progress was wiped out Sunday, as the Bears gave up the most rushing yards they’ve allowed in a game all year.
The rush defense, which is ranked 25th in the league, will continue to be a problem, as Eddie Lacy and James Starks are waiting for the Bears’ invisible front seven in Green Bay on Thursday.
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