Btw- this is NOT a keep flus post. I just think the defence gets a lot of blame because of the stigma of last year sticking to it. Some of which is misdirected.
Since Flus has been calling plays in week 2, the DEFENCE has given up
20 points vs tampa (-7 from pick 6)
41 points vs chiefs (easily could have been more tbf)
24 points vs broncos (-7 fumble 6)
20 commanders
Vikings 12 (-7 fumble 6)
Raiders 13
Chargers 30
Saints 24
Panthers 6 (-7 punt return TD)
= 21.11 defensive points allowed per game.
Do I like soft zones? No. Is this skewed by getting to play some garbage teams and kc taking mercy? A little. Is the defence as bad as it looks? No. Giving up the underneath routes for free gets you picked apart by good qbs, but pressure should change that, and even still, the defence is serviceable. It looks bad with missed tackles, easy completions, and no pressure, but it has been keeping the offence in games the offence can’t finish.
This defence gets blamed a lot. Situationally, doesn’t pass the eye test, but it probably isn’t as bad as you think when you account for scores the offence spotted them. I also think the green bay game left a bad impression, but alan williams isn’t calling plays anymore after he made peanut cry.
If someone thinks the defense looks bad, it means they don’t know what they’re seeing. When your offense consistently gives up excellent starting field position and turnovers, no defense is going to stand a chance. Bears have thrown the 2nd most interceptions and been sacked the 5th most amount of times, and that’s despite Bagent, who rarely gets sacked, playing his games. They’ve also fumbled 5 times. Bears are also 31st in plays from scrimmage. You just can’t realistically expect a defense to be able to do much with all that happening by the offense.