Bears defense and their lack of turnovers.

[3rd N Long]

The Bears turnovers have been few thus far in 2015.

Packers game 0 turnovers

Arizona game 2 turnovers

Seattle game 0 turnovers

Oakland game 2 turnovers

KC game 0 turnovers.

So the Bears defense has a grand total of 4 takeaways in two games and 0 takeaways in the other 3 games. The Bears defense needs to pick up the pace in that department but will they?

Their pass rush is still closer to non existent than it is a force to be reckon with. If they can start applying pressure on a regular basis, that would go a long way in helping to force turnovers.

The secondary is struggling badly and their ability to make a play on a pass seems unlikely right about now. I can see them having a couple of ducks thrown to them but as far as making a play on a well thrown ball, not so much.

Detroit appears to be a turnover machine right now, as they lead the league in giveaways. Stafford has already tossed 8 INT & it remains to be seen if he starts against the Bears.

They have also fumbled the ball away 6 times. Giving them 15 total giveaways. Which also makes them 1 of only 6 teams to have turned the ball over at least 10 times. (Bears have 7 giveaways/4 INT/ 3 Fumbles)

These teams have less takeways than the Bears do right now and their records

Houston 2 takeaways (1-4)
Jacksonville 3 takeaways (1-4)
Dallas 3 takeways (2-3)
S.F. 3 takeaways (1-4)
Miami 3 takeaways (1-3)

That makes 5 teams/defenses that have less takeaways than the Bears and all of their records reflect that poor number of takeaways.

The Bears have come up with only 2 INT in 5 games, to go along with 2 fumbles. Giving them a grand total of 4 takeaways.

With the way the Lions are playing and the Bears have a little momentum, will that translate to the Bears defense picking up the pace as far as turnovers are concerned this weekend? Hopefully Cutler keeps the turnovers in check this weekend. I expect him to be under constant pressure as usual but I think the turnovers will be the deciding factor in this game. The Bears O-line isn't good enough to allow the Bears offense to go on a high scoring run. So they need to just keep it clean and methodically work towards getting points on the board. While hoping the Bears defense can take advantage of the NFL league leading turnover machine, the Detroit Lions.

I would love to say I expect the Bears to force at least 3 turnovers against Detroit but why do I fear that is unlikely to happen?

Thoughts

 

[botfly10]

Thoughts are that there aren't enough playmakers on D. Right now, they are getting by on discipline and strong fundamentals. Which is a nice improvement from last year year. And I think its what we expected from a Fox and Fangio team. Its still possible that one of the rooks could develop into a stud, but the bears will still be short on impact players.

Imo, Fangio has this group playing near or maybe a little above their potential. The next hurdle is getting a couple blue chip players on the D roster.

 

[legendxofxlink]

We weren't winning any super bowls with Lovies turnovers so they're trying something different

 

[Penny Traitor]

Talent is an issue, but our three turnover free games came against three quarterbacks that take care of the football....Smith almost to a fault.

Its still a work in progress, but it is evolving much faster than I thought.

A struggling Lion offense should be a feast for this unit...especially coming off a second half shutout in KC. Keep that momentum going while getting our own offense back on track...this team may surprise us yet.

 

[Wild_x_Card]

Amos and Porter are far from struggling badly. They're far from struggling period.

Porter also did one of those hand on the ball thingys you're alluding to in a do or die moment in the game.

 

[3rd N Long]

I wanted him to pick that throw but I was more than happy with him knocking it down instead.

 

[BeardownMinden]

D is improving week to week but the secondary is our weak link. No one makes plays on the ball, never turn around and find the ball. They've gotten better but we haven't exactly faced a dynamite receiving corp. If the D-line can keep getting more pressure it will alleviate some of the issues in the secondary. The fact that the safeties aren't getting torched and aren't really noticed, is the best thing of all.

 

[Wild_x_Card]

I wanted him to pick that throw but I was more than happy with him knocking it down instead.

Well, you could wish in one hand and shit in the other. It's wasn't really a pickable ball. He did all he could do just to get a hand on it.

 

[stallan54]

D is improving week to week but the secondary is our weak link. No one makes plays on the ball, never turn around and find the ball. They've gotten better but we haven't exactly faced a dynamite receiving corp. If the D-line can keep getting more pressure it will alleviate some of the issues in the secondary. The fact that the safeties aren't getting torched and aren't really noticed, is the best thing of all.

We haven't seen a dynamic receiving corp? GB? Arizona? Even with Amari vs. Oakland... FYI, we are playing on crutches at best right now and have a significant "lack" of talent. Amos and Porter are playing better and better. They will continue to get better with more game experience and McPhee / Goldman / Jenkins scaring the crap out of QB's. We are earning respect little by little

 

[BeardownMinden]

I was referring to our victories. Against Green Bay and Zona we made 0 to very few plays. They are improving and that's all you can really ask for right now.

 

[3rd N Long]

Well, you could wish in one hand and shit in the other. It's wasn't really a pickable ball. He did all he could do just to get a hand on it.

It looked to me like he reacted late on that pass and was still able to get his hand on it for the deflection. Either way the result was good and Smith helped it along by throwing the ball behind his WR. If that was a good pass it doesn't get deflected. So as I stated above, I want to know if this secondary can start making plays on well thrown balls. I don't want to see an entire season of them only picking off ducks thrown by the opposing QB. At some point they need to have someone in that entire secondary be capable of making a play on a ball that isn't off the mark. Like reading a pass and stepping in front of the WR.

I believe they just lack the talent in the secondary but it also would be a much easier task if the front 7 were applying more consistent pressure on opposing QB's.

 

[DaaBears]

I am very pleased with the defense, which is now ranked 1st in the entire NFC in yards allowed. This is QUITE an accomplishment. I know people look at both yards and points allowed, and tend to swing back and forth when trying to make their point one way or the other, but nonetheless, we are 1st in one of the top defensive categories. Also, the last few games, not giving up too many points either, defense gave up 10 yesterday.

The offense, now that is a different story, ranked almost at the very bottom in yards and points, but I do think injuries to our receivers and offensive line are hurting very much there.

 

[dabears70]

The Bears turnovers have been few thus far in 2015.

Packers game 0 turnovers

Arizona game 2 turnovers

Seattle game 0 turnovers

Oakland game 2 turnovers

KC game 0 turnovers.

So the Bears defense has a grand total of 4 takeaways in two games and 0 takeaways in the other 3 games. The Bears defense needs to pick up the pace in that department but will they?

Their pass rush is still closer to non existent than it is a force to be reckon with. If they can start applying pressure on a regular basis, that would go a long way in helping to force turnovers.

The secondary is struggling badly and their ability to make a play on a pass seems unlikely right about now. I can see them having a couple of ducks thrown to them but as far as making a play on a well thrown ball, not so much.

Detroit appears to be a turnover machine right now, as they lead the league in giveaways. Stafford has already tossed 8 INT & it remains to be seen if he starts against the Bears.

They have also fumbled the ball away 6 times. Giving them 15 total giveaways. Which also makes them 1 of only 6 teams to have turned the ball over at least 10 times. (Bears have 7 giveaways/4 INT/ 3 Fumbles)

These teams have less takeways than the Bears do right now and their records

Houston 2 takeaways (1-4)
Jacksonville 3 takeaways (1-4)
Dallas 3 takeways (2-3)
S.F. 3 takeaways (1-4)
Miami 3 takeaways (1-3)

That makes 5 teams/defenses that have less takeaways than the Bears and all of their records reflect that poor number of takeaways.

The Bears have come up with only 2 INT in 5 games, to go along with 2 fumbles. Giving them a grand total of 4 takeaways.

With the way the Lions are playing and the Bears have a little momentum, will that translate to the Bears defense picking up the pace as far as turnovers are concerned this weekend? Hopefully Cutler keeps the turnovers in check this weekend. I expect him to be under constant pressure as usual but I think the turnovers will be the deciding factor in this game. The Bears O-line isn't good enough to allow the Bears offense to go on a high scoring run. So they need to just keep it clean and methodically work towards getting points on the board. While hoping the Bears defense can take advantage of the NFL league leading turnover machine, the Detroit Lions.

I would love to say I expect the Bears to force at least 3 turnovers against Detroit but why do I fear that is unlikely to happen?

Thoughts

Well two of the teams that we have no turnovers against in GB and KC have two QB's that don't turn the ball over in A.Rodgers and A.Smith.

 

[cobra302]

Thoughts are that there aren't enough playmakers on D. Right now, they are getting by on discipline and strong fundamentals. Which is a nice improvement from last year year. And I think its what we expected from a Fox and Fangio team. Its still possible that one of the rooks could develop into a stud, but the bears will still be short on impact players.

Imo, Fangio has this group playing near or maybe a little above their potential. The next hurdle is getting a couple blue chip players on the D roster.

I agree with much of what you say, but will also say Pernell McPhee has been a very welcome addition & is establishing himself as a real leader on defense, filling a void that has existed since Urlacher retired. They need more Pernell McPhee's. Sam Acho has looked pretty good as well the last couple weeks.

 

[Scoot26]

The Bears turnovers have been few thus far in 2015.

Packers game 0 turnovers

Arizona game 2 turnovers

Seattle game 0 turnovers

Oakland game 2 turnovers

KC game 0 turnovers.

I see a pattern here. Confirmed. Bears will have 2 turnovers vs Detroit.

 

[BeardownMinden]

McPhee is what we needed. A vocal, loud, lead by example kind of guy is a very welcome sight. And he is backing it up with his play.

 

[WindyCity]

Thoughts are that there aren't enough playmakers on D. Right now, they are getting by on discipline and strong fundamentals. Which is a nice improvement from last year year. And I think its what we expected from a Fox and Fangio team. Its still possible that one of the rooks could develop into a stud, but the bears will still be short on impact players.

Imo, Fangio has this group playing near or maybe a little above their potential. The next hurdle is getting a couple blue chip players on the D roster.

This is exactly it.

This defense does not have playmakers. They have incredible effort level and discipline and are well coached. Many of the crap teams you listed in the OP do not have those things.

 

[3rd N Long]

Well two of the teams that we have no turnovers against in GB and KC have two QB's that don't turn the ball over in A.Rodgers and A.Smith.

Green Bay is tied with one other team for 5th best with only 4 giveaways. Bears got zero from them. Not unexpected at all.

KC, Seattle and Arizona are 3 of the 8 teams that have 7 giveaways (Bears are on of those 8 teams). The Bears got zero from KC and Seattle but did manage to get 2 from Arizona right after Cutler was injured. This is where the Bears failed in large part. Earning ZERO takeaways against KC and Seattle is not good.

Oakland has 9 giveaways ranking them 25th. The Bears did get 2 from them.

So while I know it irks some people for whatever reason. The Bears defense needs to pick up the pace with the turnovers.

For some reason though, pointing out the the Bears defense has only forced 4 turnovers & that has to change against the Detroit turnover machine, has somehow offended some of the posters.

DETROIT HAS 15 GIVEAWAYS THE MOST IN THE NFL

BEARS HAVE 4 TAKEAWAYS 27th WORST IN THE NFL

If those two things being pointed out before the big upcoming game against Detroit upsets some posters, that's just too bad for them.

 

[3rd N Long]

I see a pattern here. Confirmed. Bears will have 2 turnovers vs Detroit.

 

[3rd N Long]

This is exactly it.

This defense does not have playmakers. They have incredible effort level and discipline and are well coached. Many of the crap teams you listed in the OP do not have those things.

I agree with you and Botfly on the effort level and discipline. The coaching has been quite good but will that stuff help them do what they should against the Lions Turnover machine?

It's all well and good to be motivated more and playing better in comparison to the dumptserfire defense they fielded the last two years. Yet when it comes to this Detroit game against a team that is handing out turnovers like snacks. Would it not be disheartening to not see the Bears new found effort level, discipline and coaching force at least 2 takeaways?

What the Bears defense did against KC was encouraging but keeping in mind how awful Smith is and the fact that the Bears have been giving up a 105.8 QB rating thus far. Well that has me concerned as far as next weeks game.

Am I a believer that this defense is better and will likely continue to get better as the year moves along? I would say I am but my expectations are tempered by the reality of how they have actually performed and their lack of talent.

Hopefully McPhee reads these forums and single-handedly takes over against the pitiful Lions Offense. Then again there is a chance that Megatron and Tate will eat the Bears alive. So we shall see how it plays out.

My main point is that the Bears defense should play a huge factor in the Bears winning this game through forcing takeaways. If they don't do that, then the Bears offense will yet again be in a mode where 1 or 2 mistakes mean game over. That shouldn't be the case against a turnover machine like Detroit. That is assuming the Bears defense is really that improved over the last couple of years.