In what was an instant classic shootout between the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football, the Bears defense showed they have plenty of room to grow and improve.
Giving up five total touchdowns to quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers offense was able to do whatever they wanted against the Bears defense as they allowed nearly 500 yards of offense to San Francisco. The beginning of the matchup looked promising for the Bears’ defense, with linebacker T.J. Edwards getting a pick-6 on the first offensive play of the game, appearing as if the tone had been set.
Unfortunately the Bears defense would break several times with the Niners converting 70% of their third down attempts with 100% efficiency in the red zone. Following the game, safety Jaquan Brisker said he feels as if the defense as a whole let down the offense, who put up 38 points and positioned the team for yet another comeback.
“We let the offense down,” Brisker said, via Courtney Cronin. “I’m going to say it. We let the offense down, period. I feel like Caleb (Williams) and them, they gave us enough points to do what we had to do to win. The defense didn’t.”
It is quite the statement from Brisker, taking accountability for a defense that had been praised for their ability to take the ball away but has also been very vulnerable to giving up big plays all year. If nothing else, the Bears offense was able to show that they could keep pace with one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, but their defense is going to have to make significant improvements if they want to be a real threat in the playoffs.
Chicago’s defense creates several highlights with their takeaways, but they need to crack down in the red zone and eliminating big plays down the field.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Jaquan Brisker got brutally honest about Bears defense vs. 49ers
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
