The Chicago Bears returned to observe Wednesday in Lake Forest, pushing to bounce again from Sunday’s 20-12 loss to the New York Giants. The Bears can be on the street once more in Week 5, heading to Minnesota to play the Vikings on Sunday afternoon. Here are 4 issues we discovered at Halas Hall.
1. Jaylon Johnson’s continued absence is worrisome heading right into a sport in opposition to one of many league’s most harmful receivers.
Johnson suffered a quadriceps harm throughout a Thursday observe in Week 3 and hasn’t been again on the observe discipline since. He remained out Wednesday because the Bears monitor his restoration whereas retaining their fingers crossed that he may be capable to give them one thing in opposition to Vikings star Justin Jefferson.
“Anytime you can get a good player like that back who can cover really well (it’s big),” coach Matt Eberflus stated. “That would be good if we can get that done. Again, he’s day by day. We’ll see where it is.”
In Johnson’s absence, the beginning cornerback trio the final two weeks has consisted of rookies Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Jones and third-year veteran Kindle Vildor. Eberflus and his defensive employees are working to formulate a sport plan that pays Jefferson correct consideration as an elite game-changer whereas additionally respecting the remainder of the receiving corps, a dashing assault led by Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison and the Vikings’ play-action sport.
“That’s obviously a big issue,” Eberflus stated. “That’s always something you have to weigh. You have to do certain things to double and stop (Jefferson) and get guys underneath and do all the things you do to (defend) a No. 1 receiver. It’s always a balance. You have to pick and choose when you do it. But you have to do it for sure.”
Jefferson ranks fifth within the league in catches (28) and receiving yards (393).
2. The Bears are searching for fast fixes for his or her red-zone offense.
An 0-for-3 effort contained in the pink zone in opposition to the Giants was discouraging, notably after the Bears have been 5-for-7 scoring touchdowns in such alternatives over the primary three video games. Furthermore, Eberflus emphasised late final week that the crew’s red-zone-centric observe Friday has been easy and environment friendly.
“This league is about scoring touchdowns,” Eberflus stated. “We need to improve that percentage. Again, the practices just have to translate. It’s been good with red-zone practices. We have good schemes down there. It just has to translate to the game now.”
Justin Fields was obscure when requested for his prescription for bettering the red-zone manufacturing.
“It’s just execution from everybody on the offense,” he stated. “That’s basically it.”
The Bears’ 50% red-zone effectivity ranks tied for twenty third within the NFL. The Vikings protection is tied for twenty seventh general having allowed touchdowns on 72.7% of opponents’ red-zone journeys.
3. Eddie Jackson’s continued resurgence has given the Bears protection a spark.
Jackson’s fourth-quarter deep-ball interception off Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor was his third decide in 4 video games, a manufacturing spike after he went all the 2020 and 2021 seasons with out a picks. Since coaching camp opened, Jackson has been training with goal whereas feeling extra free on the again finish of the secondary. And the early 2022 returns have been encouraging.
Eberlfus stated Wednesday that Jackson is “hitting his stride” and traces the manufacturing again to the funding the sixth-year security put in throughout coaching camp.
“Man, he worked,” Eberflus stated. “He by no means missed a day. If he did, I don’t bear in mind. He is in the most effective form of his life. He actually purchased into this.
“He’s taking great angles. He’s tackling well. He’s obviously ballhawking and understanding the big part of the field. He blitzed well the other day. He’s doing everything you ask a safety to do.”
4. Running again David Montgomery isn’t but able to resume training.
Montgomery injured his proper ankle within the first half of the Bears’ Week 3 win in opposition to the Houston Texans and remained out Wednesday. In addition to Montgomery and Johnson lacking observe, cornerback Jaylon Jones (sickness) and security Dane Cruishank (hamstring) additionally didn’t take part. Matt Adams (hamstring) and Ryan Griffin (Achilles tendon) have been restricted.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com