Through 4 games the Bears defense is elite

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Personally, I don't mind the defense being humbled.

 

[Rory Sparrow]

Thanks. Given the replies, I think people define "elite" in different ways. I do believe total yards is what is used to rate defenses. I see that we're now ranked 10th.

I didn't know a subjective term of "elite" was given such a strict empirical definition of "total yards". I think yards allowed isn't a good way to rate defenses...it punishes defenses that give up yards through the air when they are protecting a lead, and teams that simply get gouged on the ground actually look decent (like some of the previous Bear defenses). I think points allowed and turnovers created are much better indicators of strong defensive play. Bears are 4th in points and 1st in turnovers. If that doesn't equate with "elite", then you can pretty much say that no defense in the NFL is elite...which makes your snarky line of questioning all the more pointless based on your own shifting criteria.

 

[me654]

I didn't know a subjective term of "elite" was given such a strict empirical definition of "total yards". I think yards allowed isn't a good way to rate defenses...it punishes defenses that give up yards through the air when they are protecting a lead, and teams that simply get gouged on the ground actually look decent (like some of the previous Bear defenses). I think points allowed and turnovers created are much better indicators of strong defensive play. Bears are 4th in points and 1st in turnovers.

How about pts in the 3rd and 4th qtrs....Now that would be a good gauge on how good the defense is. Its not how you start but how you finish...they are struggling with finishing games.

 

[Spirit Hartigan]

When the Bears D generates pressure on the QB they are elite. If not, they're subpar. Hopefully, this will be corrected or we're going to have to win a few games by way of shootouts.

 

[Rory Sparrow]

How about pts in the 3rd and 4th qtrs....Now that would be a good gauge on how good the defense is. Its not how you start but how you finish...they are struggling with finishing games.

I am assuming that points in the 3rd and 4th quarters would be covered in the Points Allowed category, but I'll check on that for you.

Since we know that total yards is the best measure of eliteness, how about total yards allowed in the 3rd and 4th quarters? That might be even more correlative.

 

[xer0h0ur]

Calm your tits people. Defense had a bad game. One game doesn't erase the previous performances. I'm taking it as an aberration until there is a trend established on more than one bad game.

 

[me654]

I am assuming that points in the 3rd and 4th quarters would be covered in the Points Allowed category, but I'll check on that for you.

Since we know that total yards is the best measure of eliteness, how about total yards allowed in the 3rd and 4th quarters? That might be even more correlative.

Exactly. Like someone mentioned before, teams giving up yards (bend dont break) in the 2nd half happens when protecting a lead, which im still not crazy about, but in the Bears case its more of them giving up the huge plays which end up being scores. If the Bears are one of the worst in giving up scores in the 2nd half of games after dominating the 1st and 2nd qtr then its a problem they need to correct if we want to contend.

 

[me654]

Calm your tits people. Defense had a bad game. One game doesn't erase the previous performances. I'm taking it as an aberration until there is a trend established on more than one bad game.

I agree. I think they will be fine and get better, but its worth noting that its happened twice in almost the same fashion being they gave up huge plays that eventually gave up the lead.

trying to find it but id like to see the defensive numbers in the 2nd half of both the GB and Miami games....in fact the Seahawks game they gave up 14 in the 4th, but luckily they got an offensive score and a defensive score....cant count on that all the time. Seems like a potential issue to me.

 

[xer0h0ur]

If you're referring to the Packers game. That would make 4 total quarters where the defense shit the bed while including the Phins game with it. Since after all the defense held Miami to 7 points in the first half. I'm still not worried about it. This game Fangio made the decision to play his defense quite passively and it bit him in the ass. Playing off coverage with this talent is not the way to go. These guys thrive in tighter spacing not in having to routinely make one on one open field tackles.

 

[me654]

I agree, which is why it surprised me he did it again against the phins...Of course the missed tackle by DT with 3 left and a 7 pt lead this wouldnt be a question.

 

[Washington]

Total yards is how the NFL ratings are determined. I can't say I agree with that either but it is what it is.

Right now, no D in the league seems to be elite status to me. There are some good ones, but no great ones. Given how our D completely shit the bed in the 2nd half of the GB game and the debacle in MIA, I don't think we're elite. Cool, we are up there is some categories. Yippy. If surrendering multiple score leads in crunch time equates to elite, then I guess we're elite.

 

[Rory Sparrow]

Right now, no D in the league seems to be elite status to me.

You kind of answered your own question then about the Bears defense being elite. Simple logic...no defense in the NFL is elite...the Bears play in the NFL...the Bears defense is not elite.

Riveting conversation, as always. If the Bears finish the year 4th in points allowed, 1st in turnovers produced, and 10th in yards allowed, I don't think people will be saying the Bears aren't an elite defense because "NFL Ratings" are determined by yards allowed.

 

[BearsG35]

The Defense is elite but it has its weaknesses. The only bright side after the dolphins game is they still haven't allowed a Rushing TD.

 

[sevvy]

The 85 Bears gave up 38/28/24. Sometimes you get scored on.

That defense was fucking GASSED in the 2nd half. They were not ready for the Florida heat. Blame Fangio and Nagy for that, I guess. Those 2 Albert Wilson plays should never have happened.