The Bears have an NFL-best 16 takeaways this season, but they got a taste Sunday of what reality will be when they don’t get them. With the Ravens playing conservatively Sunday, the Bears allowed 5.1 yards per rush, quarterback Tyler Huntley posted a career-high 116.9 passer rating, and Baltimore rolled to a 30-16 victory.
That’s going to be an ongoing concern for a defense that has been opportunistic, but hardly steady. The Bears have allowed 26.4 points per game (25th in the league), 5.3 yards per carry (30th), a 98.6 passer rating (21st) and 64% conversions in the red zone (24th). Conversely, in addition to the takeaways, they’re holding opponents to 31.9% on third-down conversions (second).
Here are the highlights from defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s news conference Thursday, ahead of the Bears’ game Sunday at the Bengals:
• On new nickel cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson:
“He’s a highly competitive player. That’s fully what i would expect for him to do with us. Brings a little attitude to the team, which is good.”
• On Bengals four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase:
“There’s two dudes draped all over him and they’re still throwing the ball to him. … He’s somebody that’s going to be a challenge for us.”
• On defensive end Austin Booker being activated from injured reserve:
“The last couple weeks, he’s been outstanding in practice. He’ll get an opportunity to get out there this week and we’ll see exactly what he can do.”
