5 realities Chicago Bears fans must accept after blowout loss to Los Angeles Chargers

3. The Chicago Bears defensive resurgance was a mirage

No one can deny that the Chicago Bears' defense was playing better. However, it was also easy to wonder if the Bears' defense was playing better or if they just started to play easier opponents. They got Sam Howell on the road for a Thursday night game. Then, they faced the Vikings without Justin Jefferson and the Raiders with Brian Hoyer at quarterback. That is not the toughest slate.

Justin Herbert was going to be a step up no matter what. So, we finally could learn once and for all if the defense got better or if it was the opponents. It was the opponents. Justin Herbert completed his first 14 passes of the game, and the Chargers scored 24 points in the first half. Some of the issues are that Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker were out this week.

However, the Chargers did not have Mike Williams or Gerald Everett. The difference was that Justin Herbert was a huge step up for the Bears, and the Bears were a step down for Herbert. When the Bears face Brian Hoyer again, they may have more success.