| 01 October 2009
Continuing with the Seahawks game film review session we now shift our focus to the defense. The defense which hasn't played great, but has played good enough to win. There are a lot of aspects that at first glance you can tell they need to improve upon. There is just enough concerns to make you wonder precisely how good the Bears will be. Will they be that team that can make it to the playoffs? Bears on defense first possesion after a missed Robbie Gould field goal:
Play-action pass Seneca Wallace gets a decent bit of pressure from the outside but throws on his first read to T.J. Housh. Overthrown pass, second and ten upcoming, Seahawks out of the I-formation with a TE lined up in the wing, Bears eight men in the box another play action Bears blitz, O-Gun gets outside pressure Wallace steps up and throws a bit on the run. Hits his man for the first down, tackle made immediately. Seahawks first and ten I formation run Nick Roach fits off a block on the run play and makes a tackle. Gain of five for the Seahawks on this Iso-run play. Tommie Harris is never really blocked straight up he sorta gets cut at the point of attack. Second and five now Seahawks show a strong run formation, Bears with Al Afalava in the box. Nine guys up to force the run, play action pass FB to the flat and he's wide open. Misdirection on the play and the FB gains nice yards before being hauled down by Charles Tillman.
First and ten for the Seahawks now they pass again one receiver clears out and Nate Burrelson settles at the line of scrimmage catches a little dump off pass that's essentially in the flat and turns it up field. He's hauled down by Briggs after a nice gain. Second and five ball gets loose on a pitch and the Seahawks lose a ton of yards on the play. Seahawks shift to a pass and the Bears read it and call for an automatic all out blitz. The screen play is on, Charles Tillman tries to strip the ball instead of tackling Julius Jones and he breaks free and rumbles 39-yards for the touchdown.
Of note this is the third game in a row a team has gone on a scoring opportunity opening drive against the Bears' defense. Only the Packers didn't score, they missed their opening field goal off of their seven play drive. Not only have the Bears not forced a three and out to start the game, they have not gone on a scoring drive of their own to open any of the first three games. The Bears have gone three and out on all three of their opening drives this season. Last year it was quite the opposite as the Bears were one of the best scoring teams in the league on their first possession of the game.
Second defensive drive Bears still down 7-0 after the Cutler INT. A tipped ball by Johnny Knox leads to the pick, it was not a bad throw by Cutler just a simple gift off the tipped pass.
Seahawks come out running the ball on first down with Jones. Jones gets a big gaping hole right over the left guard spot. I don't know who it was on the play, but he was clearly pancaked on the play. Completely blown off the line of scrimmage and grounded and pounded into the grass. Marcus Harrison the other DT faired no better getting driven completely off the line of scrimmage and Jones takes huge advantage of the play. On this play Hunter Hillenmeyer gets blocked and sealed off and pushed completely around 180 style. He's hit and then hooked to the side and then finally spun around by the FB as Jones goes by for a big gain. No one was even in the vicinity of stopping this big run, bad all around defense by the Bears here. Jones even drives Danieal Manning back for another four yards before Manning can finally bring him down. Gain of 16 yards for the Seahawks on first down. Bears stack nine in the box to stop the run, Nate Burrelson comes in motion and gets the end around pitch. Bears pursue well for the most part getting off blocks and stringing the play out. Burrelson is shoved out of bounds after minimal gain. Bears come with an all out blitz on second and eight and it's a hot read by Wallace who throws a pass that is broken up well by Charles Tillman. Third and eight upcoming for the Seahawks, Wallace from the shot gun a little zone by the Bears, only rushing three dropping a DT into coverage. Pressure by O-Gun flushes Wallace who makes a big completion for a first down gain of about 10 on the play.
Seahawks out of the I-formation on first down gain four on the run by Jones. Average run defense by the Bears, the play could have gone for more yards, tackle by Manning. Seahawks run again, Idonijae is completely blown out of the hole and pancaked here. Jones just picks the wrong hole to run through here, poor vision he could have gotten a lot more yards had he cut it back to the side opposite of where Idonijae was. Bears were lucky to make this top as quick as they did.
Tight formation Seahawks throw to Nate Burrelson who came all the way across the zone coverage in front the LBs and catches a pass. He's wide open and scampers for a good chunk of yards and a first down. Bears unable to muster much pressure on the play and they're being driven on again. Wallace a pass again great protection for Wallace no pass rush whatsoever here. Pass complete a little dunk for a gain of three. Julius Jones another solid run here, Hunter Hillenmeyer squares up to tackle and bounces off and goes down. Jones scampers away and gains two yards Danieal Manning comes up to make a tackle.
Already 30 yards on the ground for Jones, Forcett into the game Bears go zone, a quick flip over the top by Wallace to a wide open Burrleson. Overthrown on the pass Bears lucky as he was open and would have gone in for six. Bears hold here but are lucky to have held the way they did on this drive to prevent a touchdown.
Facing the facts after the first two drives, the Bears are physically getting their asses kicked on defense. The Seahawks are beating to the punch off the ball and slowing down the pass rush. Overall the run game for the Seahawks has been very effective because the Bears are getting pushed around up front. This isn't the type of defense I've seen from the Bears in the past, even last year when it came to stuffing the run the Bears were among the best in the league. Right now though they're getting pounded on pretty good and it's pretty concerning to see this right now.
Bears now down 10-0 after a successful FG by Mare. Offense unable to put points on the board Bears shank the punt and come out on defense in a hole.
Attention, Attention we have a Tommie Harris sighting. Alert the Illinois National Guard and make sure Mayor Daley has his security headquarters and command center ready to go. Tommie Harris fights through his gap and his blocker and gets down the line of scrimmage on a play that goes away from him and makes a tackle for no gain on the play. Bears go Cover-2 on this look Wallace shoots a short pass to the outside over throws his receiver on the play third and ten now. No pass rush on the play, Wallace just flat over throws his receiver.
Third and ten Wallace gets a little bit of pressure from O-Gun steps away and fires the ball to Burrelson for a first down gain on the play. He was wide open in the middle of the zone and made a nice catch a big 20-yard gain on this pass play. Bears come with a little bit of a blitz and get some pressure on Wallace, Wallace throws into like near triple coverage and Zack Bowman nearly picks off the pass. Bowman unable to hold onto a sure fire INT there. Another short pass to Burrelson who makes the catch and is immediately tackled by Bowman. Gain of like seven on the play down to the Bears' 20-yard line. Third down and three upcoming, out of the shot gun a flip pitch run play to Justin Forsett gets strung out by O-Gun. The rest of the players come in and essentially clean it up, Seattle short of the first down. Solid tackling and attacking of the ball carrier on this play after the blitz caused the quick incompletion on first down.
Mare with another field goal the Seahawks score on their first three possessions of the game, it's now 13-0 Seattle. Bears will come out on defense again here after the offense is unable to muster a scoring drive. Twins left single back FB in the wing, Bears eight in the box, the hand off to Jones, Alex Brown makes one of his patented shove off the blocker fly down the line of scrimmage and tackle the RB after a short gain. Brown is the best run defending DE in the NFL right now and a player that no one talks about. He is so under appreciated for the plays he makes exactly like this. Bears in a zone decent pressure by Alex Brown forces Wallace to slide right. The stunt on the play opens up a lane for the Bears to get in the air and tip Wallace's pass third and nine now. Bears come with a timed blitz Briggs sort of camouflages his blitz and then hits the gap hard. The pocket is collapsing around Briggs blitz, Briggs steps in and makes the sack. The entire D-Line got off the ball pretty well here, even Tommie Harris got a decent push. Seahawks punt it away.
Bears finally get on the board with a touchdown here now behind 13-7. Bears go back on defense with 1:47 left in the first half. Wallace out of the shot gun three wide set Bears in Cover-2, the Bears again rush only three and drop Marcus Harrison back into a short zone rather than rush him. Interesting bit of development here the way the Bears are unafraid to drop their athletic DTs back into a short zone coverage in passing situations. Wallace throws incomplete as the Bears had the quick slant well defended second and ten as the Seahawks start their two minute offense.
Bears Cover-2 alignment Seahawks from the shot gun. Bears' LBs cheating up as if to show a blitz, part of their defense now really for the second year in a row. Pass underneath complete by Wallace he scampers ahead for a first down, Bears got no pressure and the pass was hit right in the middle of the zone, underneath the coverage.
Bears show blitz again from the basic Cover-2 package Wallace from the shot gun O-Gun gets pressure from the right side Wallace scrambles and throws complete for a quick gain of seven. Wallace from under center single back, three receiver set. Bears again in Cover-2 showing some blitz but backing off so as not to completely leave themselves vulnerable by choking up too close to the LOS. Wallace appears to be audibilizing and the Bears react accordingly. Time out Seattle.
Seahawks come out in a three receiver set, and run the ball with Jones, Jones has plenty of room to run as the Bears' defense is getting beat at the POA once again. Jones gets the first down and more. Gain of 14 on the play under a minute to go in the first half. No huddle offense for the Seahawks QB from the shot gun, four receiver set twins to both side of the formation. Bears finally get good pressure up the middle and from the outside on a four man rush. Wallace evades the rush and throws to his TE, who promptly has the ball hit him in the hands and he drops it. Bears are lucky here on this pathetic dropped pass. Bears Cover-2 here on second and ten Wallace again from the shot gun, screen pass to Jones Idonijae reads it and jumps on Jones immediately now third down Seattle calls time out.
Jones gets the call on the hand off, off-tackle Tommie Harris gets good pursuit down the LOS and dives on top of Jones as he's falling to the ground after being tripped up. Good lateral pursuit by Tommie Harris, it's the third time I've seen him make some sort of impact on the field today. Seattle calls their final timeout as Mare come in to attempt his next field goal. He promptly misses this field goal try and we essentially go into half time 13-7 Seahawks.
First half notes the Bears were pushed around at the POA pretty well. Bears only had success when the Seahawks tried to run outside. Bears can't shut down much running between the tackles right now, nor are they mustering much of a pass rush. Seahawks were only forced to punt once in the first half and came away with points on their first couple drives. Mare missing a FG really helped with the momentum of the game for the Bears. Overall not a good defensive showing to start the first half here.r
Seahawks on offense to start the second half, Bears come out on defense.
Julius Jones from the I-formation on a counter Bears again get pushed around up front and Jones gains good yards. Bears' front four gets totally sealed off to the inside and Jones has a nice running lane. Only a quick move by Lance Briggs saves this from REALLY being a big run. Seahawks go with a quick screen to T.J. Housh who gets stripped on the play and the Bears recover. Nice strip and recovery here for Chicago. Bears finally take their first lead of the game after they punch in points after the turnover. Bears back on defense Seattle first and ten from their own 26.
I-formation Seahawks drop back to pass and O-Gun gets good pressure from the outside with Adams getting pressure up the gut. Wallace steps up and tries to get by Adams who hauls him down by the face mask. 15-yard penalty good for an automatic first down. Edgerrin James gains six yards on the run, Bears still getting beat the POA against the run. They're not really showing me much when the Seahawks run AT them. Seahawks try to run outside which is where the strength of the Bears' defense is, using their speed. They attack well but tackle with the face mask and yet another 15-yard penalty.
Wallace escapes pressure from O-Gun again and he rolls out and away and then fires the ball down the field for another completion. Frustrating as all hell to see this type of defense knowing you get good pressure but the coverage doesn't hold up well. 24-yard gain on the pass play first and ten from the Bears' 21-yard line, Seahawks nearly in the red-zone again. Helped along by some big penalties followed by a big pass play. Seahawks on first and ten try to run a stretch play with James, again you can't beat the Bears to the outside the defense is just too fast. I don't know why Seattle is getting away from what is working for them in the running game. That is RUNNING AT THE BEARS, running the ball donw our throats and we can't do much to stop it.
Second and ten now single back formation three receiver set, Wallace under center Bears come with a heavy blitz up the middle Wallace floats it out to Nate Burrelson who makes a nice catch. Thankfully Briggs is right there to tackle him almost immediately. Third and five now from the shot gun Wallace with plenty of time throws a little high to Deion Branch who drops the ball, can't make the catch. Thankfully another dropped pass keeps the Seahawks from attaining another first down. Fourth down here, and Mare shanks another field goal wide left.
Bears back on defense after offense musters no points 14-13
Wallace gets pressured and decidesto just heave the ball out towards the receiver. Lance Briggs makes an incredible diving interception on the play.
Bears kick a field goal and now lead 17-13 after the Briggs INT.
Seahawks again try to run outside they have a bit more success running the ball but not much as the pursuit is really good. Briggs shoves the back out of bounds after a gain of four. Seahawks from the I-formation here and they throw a pitch to Jones who gets outside with blocking help and gets a big gain here. A well executed toss sweep here for the Seahawks a big gain of 15-yards for Jones. Jones has 71 yards averaging 6.5 yards per carry up to this point in the game 4:22 left in the third Bears really struggling to stop the run here. Jones is essentially have his way with the Bears' defense and has 100-yards of total offense even when the 39-yard screen pass is included.
Jones on the carry as the Seahawks run a double team at Marcus Harrison, Harrison holds his ground pretty well considering it's a double team and this allows Briggs to come up and make the tackle. Pretty impressed how well Harrison held his ground here on the double team. Gain of three on the play second and seven upcoming, play-action minimal pressure on Wallace here and he fires a dart for another first down, Burrelson again with a big catch. First down Wallace throws as the Bears bring the blitz no pressure in his face or anywhere near him and he just completely misses the intended receiver.
Again out of the I-formation Seahawks try to pound up the middle this time they are up to the task and stop Jones quickly led by Briggs and Idonijae. Third and 11 Wallace fires a pass to TJ Housh for yet another god damned first down. The Bears for nearly three quarters have been absolutely outplayed on defense, their only saving grace is the turnovers. Overall though the damn defense is getting it's ass kicked. There's no other way to slice it with the overall success the Seahawks are having at driving the football.
First and ten somebody needs to step up and make a damn play here, this is getting ridiculous how easy they are driving on the Bears. Forsett on another run to the outside is dropped by Jamar Williams on the play after a gain of three. Nice tackle by Williams here. Second and seven, false start pushes it back to second and 12. Wallace flushed from the pocket once again good pressure he as he scrambles a way he throws it up for grabs and T.J. Housh comes down with for a first down. Unbelievable that he makes this kind of play, I have to wonder again where in the hell is the defense right now and how is it Seattle is essentially doing as they please to the Bears right now. :35 left in the third quarter.
God damn finally the Bears make a big stop up the middle as Nick Roach attacks the gap, sheds a block and makes a tackle on the ball carrier. This may be one of the best defensive stands all night on this particular play and it couldn't have come at a better time with Seattle near the red-zone yet again. End of the third quarter with the score Chicago 17-13 over Seattle.
Bears get decent pressure but it's late arriving the TE drops the ball and again the Bears are a beneficiary of a dropped pass. Had this been caught it would have been first and goal from about the five maybe even less. He was wide open in the zone he just couldn't catch the ball. Third and ten now out of the shot gun three receiver set out of the shot gun Bears blitz and Kevin Payne gets a hand up and bats the ball down. Good defense here on this stand and Mare comes in to kick a field goal and nails it. Seahawks down 17-16 early in the fourth quarter.
Bears back out on defense after the offense is unable to muster any points. Still leading 17-16
First and ten for the Seahawks, play-action pass is caught even though it's a little low. Zack Bowman on the coverage and tackle gain of about eight. Second and two Jones takes the hand off, Anthony Adams fights through a block and makes the tackle, Jones stopped for no gain on the play. Finally some defense you can write home to mom about and be proud of. Stupid play call on third down as they flip the ball on an end around to Deion Branch. Bears stay at home and have the speed to track this down anyway. This is running into the teeth of the lion on this play. Stupid play call as the Bears swarm all over it.
After a Cutler strip Bears come back out on defense 8:12 left in the game first down Seattle:
A draw play to Jones is snuffed out pretty good by Anthony Adams a gain of only two as the Bears swarm to the ball for the stop. Second down and eight now upcoming, a slant pass of the Bears' blitz Bowman with a good tackle to keep him short of the first down. Tight formation on third and one Bears initially stuff it but Jones fights hard on a second effort and picks up the first down.
Bears getting good pressure here on first and ten, Tommie Harris flushes Wallace out and with help from Mark Anderson they force him out of bounds for a three yard loss. Second and 13 Bears bring a blitz, Wallace rolls out a bit and then passes to his receiver Danieal Manning breaks on the ball and makes a great stop to limit the YAC to zero. Manning with a great play here forcing it to third down 12. Bears bring the blitz flush Wallace out of the pocket he rolls out and passes and Afalava makes a big jump and nearly picks it off. Fourth down and 12 Seahawks kick another field goal and go back ahead 19-17
Bears hit the game winning score on the touchdown pass to Devin Hester and go on defense one more time to close out the game. 25-19.
First and ten 1:52 left from the shot gun some pressure Wallace goes down the seam but Nick Roach is running down the middle of the field the ball hits him in the back. Second and ten Carlson the TE makes the catch and he's hit hard by Roach shy of the first down. Third and two hurry up offense, Wallace audibles to a draw and Jones takes the hand off for a big gain he breaks a couple tackles and gains big yards here. Gain of 20 here on this running play now first and ten for the Seahawks, Bears again unable to stop the run. First and ten Bears blitz on a pass play Wallace gets pressured and overthrows his TE down the middle of the field. Second and ten, quick pass to Carlson as the Bears blitzed nice gain on the play, Bears were also off-sides. Penalty declined third and two now upcoming, Jones on the run bangs ahead for really no gain maybe a gain of one he's stopped just short of the first down. Tommie Harris got the penetration just enough to slow Jones' progress as he headed towards trying to get the first down. Because Harris was able to disrupt the play ever so slightly other Bears defenders were in position to make the final tackle. Bringing it up to fourth down where the Bears call time out. Fourth and inches Wallace rolls out on the play action and throws it and the ball is caught for the first down.
Shot gun Bears blitz Deion Grant catches the ball gain of six, second and four upcoming, Bears blitzing a lot trying to get as much pressure as they can. Wallace gets flushed Bears show blitz only bring four Idonijae gets pressure Wallace completes it short and Briggs immediately in on the tackle here. Wallace's pass incomplete on third down ball knocked away by Afalava. Seahawks drop back to pass on fourth and two and it's incomplete Bears win.
Final thoughts the Bears came up in the fourth quarter and played their best defense of the game. Even then that defense wasn't great only average to good. The Seahawks were able to drive the ball almost at will for a major portion of the game. The Bears really had no answer for the Seahawks on defense. They did cause the two turnovers in Seahawks territory which led to short fields for Cutler to take advantage of. Thankfully turnovers were the difference in the game because the Bears were unable to stop the Seahawks' offense with any sort of consistency.
Hopefully moving forward the Bears will improve stopping their opponents on third down and overall getting some more three and outs. The way the Bears look right now they may be too shaky to make the playoffs, improvement from week to week and the level of improvement we see will be key to determining just how far this team can go in 2009.
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