Bears notebook: Questions pop up on defense in 30-27 loss to Vikings
Everything is stacking up against Bears coach Matt Eberflus sticking around, and the newest problem is in his field of expertise.
The Bears’ defense, while statistically among the NFL’s best in many categories, has become unsteady and had brutal lapses Sunday in their 30-27 overtime loss to the Vikings.
The job of head coach requires Eberflus to be on top of everything, but he also should be a difference-maker in their defense. The Bears allowed their season-high in points, yielded a staggering seven yards per play and slipped at the worst possible times.
“We didn’t play well enough on defense to hold up our end of the bargain,” safety Kevin Byard said. “That was our Achilles’ heel today: giving up too many big plays and penalties in crucial situations.”
Running back Aaron Jones beat them for a 41-yard run on the Vikings’ opening possession, and that would’ve led to points had safety Jonathan Owens not stripped him at the goal line two plays later for a takeaway.
Jones finished with 106 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
“Early on, the run defense was not where it needed to be, but it settled down after that,” Eberflus said. “We’ve got to do a better job coaching it.”
The Bears also let Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold hit six pass plays of 20-plus yards and throw for 330 yards, two touchdowns and a 116.1 passer rating — the highest by any opponent this season.
Darnold did that without much contribution from All-Pro Justin Jefferson, who had two catches for 27 yards. He found wide receiver Jordan Addison for gains of 69 and 45 yards, and he led all players with eight catches for 162 and a touchdown. Tight end T.J. Hockenson had seven catches for 114 yards as well.
Well-rounded passing attack
Veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen had his best game as a Bear and finished with a game-high nine catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.
The passing game as a whole looked much the way the Bears envisioned it going into the season. Wide receiver DJ Moore caught all seven of his targets and had 106 yards and a touchdown, and Rome Odunze chipped in five catches for 39 yards. Tight end Cole Kmet caught seven for 64.
Doing Moore
Moore became the first Bear to pass, catch and run in the same game since former running back David Montgomery in 2022. In addition to his receiving production and a 13-yard run, he took a shot at the end zone as a passer on a trick play.
Early in the third quarter, quarterback Caleb Williams threw laterally to Moore, who flung a 33-yard pass to Odunze in the end zone. Vikings safety Camryn Bynum made contact with Odunze as he broke up the pass, but the Bears didn’t get the call.
“I tried to get it to Rome or get a pass interference and got neither,” Moore said. “So I’ve got to go back and work on my QB skills.”
His only other pass was in 2020 for the Panthers, and that was incomplete as well.
Biles appearance
Owens had a season-high eight tackles, and it was a big day for the Bears’ power couple. When the team honored local Olympic medal winners at halftime, Owens’ wife Simone Biles was the last to be introduced.
The greatest gymnast of all time attended the game dressed in a denim jacket with Owens written across the front.
Notes
- Bears defensive end Montez Sweat sacked Darnold in overtime to reach 4 1/2 for the season. It was his first since Week 8 against the Commanders.
- The Bears scored first for the first time this season, but that lead lasted just 59 seconds.
- Cairo Santos’ blocked field goal was the 15th in the NFL this season and third against the Bears. There were 17 in the league all last season.