Chicago Bears: 3 Takeaways from Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers

No. 2: The Bears’ pass coverage has been stronger than advertised

Factoring in Teddy Bridgewater’s two-interception game, the Chicago Bears have held opposing quarterbacks to just a 73.5 quarterback rating. The Indianapolis Colts are the only team with a better mark in that regard.

Heading into this season, we knew the foundation of this team would be found in the trenches. As Chicago Sun-Times’ Jason Lieser made note of, the trio of Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, and Robert Quinn account for over a fourth of the Bears’ payroll. But the Bears’ secondary — considered a question mark in the offseason — has looked the part of an exclamation point.

One surefire sign of that? Take note of how many times Bridgewater elected to look downfield, and then merely tuck-and-run after he realized no one was open. Either the Bears were leaving gaps open in the middle of the field, making him believe he could squeeze through, or the secondary was playing phone-booth defense, not allowing any windows for throws.

Bridgewater will never be known as a gun-slinging, risk-taker. In fact, he was the second-least aggressive passer in the NFL heading into today. There were some brilliant throws to both D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson in this game. But for the most part, when the Bears could get out of their own way with penalties, they absolutely did.

To add to that: think about the instances in which Bridgewater did put his head down and try to scramble for first downs on his own account. He called his own number eight times, the most rushing attempts of his NFL career. Those scrambles didn’t generate touchdowns.

By definition, the Bears’ coverage chops hold true. They came into Sunday among the best third-down teams, normally an obvious passing down. On Sunday afternoon, they held the Panthers to a paltry 3-of-13.

It was inspiring to see the Bears coverage hold up against Moore and Anderson, two of the NFL’s top-12 among receiving yard-getters. As they await another dangerous receiving duo in Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, that confidence could serve them well.