Lanschaften » Bears mailbag: What the future holds and

why the defense has fallen off. For the first time in the 2018 season Chicago Bears T-Shirts , the Chicago Bears find themselves on a two-game losing skid. Naturally, questions of what has gone wrong and how to fix those issues have come into focus.Luckily for the Bears, they face a pair of teams that are very beatable, and they’ll see their first back-to-back home stand of the year this weekend against the New York Jets (followed by the Bills). We’ll dive into the problems plaguing the team since coming out of the bye week and take a look ahead at what is next for the Bears over the next few games.Disclaimer: I received multiple questions about Khalil Mack, Vic Fangio and Kevin White. So I decided to take the most broad questions on each to help cover all questions. That’s a great question, Tim. I’ve been trying to figure the same thing out myself.It needs to be noted that the Bears defense did give up just 24 points to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, but they also only have one sack over their last two games. I understand that Mack is not healthy but even so, why does Fangio continue to drop both he and Leonard Floyd into coverage?According to Dan Durkin of The Athletic, there was just eight total snaps where both Floyd and Mack rushed the passer together. On top of that, their eighth overall pick in Roquan Smith played just 55% of snaps. That means that they opted to run three linemen in nickle packages, instead of two linemen, two outside linebackers and five defensive backs. To me, that makes very little sense and it’s something that needs to change if this defense wants to get back to it’s form of the first four games.I’d say the Bears chances of winning all of their next six games are slim.With that being said, I don’t think 4-2 is out of the question and is almost a must.Here’s their next six games:Vs New York JetsAt Buffalo BillsVs Detroit LionsVs Minnesota VikingsAt Detroit LionsAt New York GiantsIf the Bears are going to get to 10 wins, they win their next two games and split within the division. Currently, they are 0-1 with that road loss to the Green Bay Packers. I don’t think it’s a stretch to believe they can win their next two, split with the Lions and win one of the two remaining games between the Vikings and Giants.Over the next few weeks, we’re going to see what type of team this really is. If they can go 4-2 over the next six games https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/hats , that will leave them at 7-5 heading into their final four games which includes the Rams, Packers, 49ers and Vikings again. 5-1 is more ideal during these next six games but we’ll have to see how it all plays out. More importantly, they must go at least 3-3 if they want to make the playoffs.The Bears use of Josh Bellamy continues to amaze me. I know he’s beloved in the locker room and is a very good special teams player, but judging by the snaps counts from Week 7, he appears to be getting open more often than White, as they were separated by a single snap this past Sunday.Bellamy is a solid route runner with good speed. His biggest issue has always been his hands and overall catch radius. I’m not saying Mitchell Trubisky made a good decision on that interception but an NFL receiver should not be letting a defensive back rip the ball out of his arms in that type of situation.For the sake of all things Bears related, we have to hope that Robinson’s groin will be good to go and that guys like Anthony Miller and Taylor Gabriel are more involved this coming Sunday.It also may be time to think about trying to get rookie Javon Wims on the field. He’s somewhat raw, but I’m willing to bet he’d do more as a receiver than what we’ve seen out of both Bellamy and White. Just a matter of him getting that chance.Best way to block the Bears front right now is contain Mack at about 50% of what he usually is. That’s just the real reality of the situation right now. Especially with Fangio dropping his outside linebackers into coverage as much as he’s rushing them, he’s placing a larger value on their three-down linemen to get the job done. It’s a risky move from Fangio, but I’d expect at some point soon he’s going to have to adjust.I’m not sure anyone has taken a step back by any means, but I do think these last two games have shown just how valuable Mack is to this entire defense. The good news? Barring something significant, this won’t last long and they should be back to sacking opposing quarterbacks soon.I highlighted this particular question to address all trade deadline questions.I’d be SHOCKED if the Bears made any sort of move before the deadline. They’ve spent more money than they ever have in franchise history. They are also down first, second and sixth round picks for 2019 and a first and third in 2020.On top of that, they have around $4.5 million left in cap space, and while some can always be created, they aren’t likely to do that before this coming off-season. Also worth keeping in mind that Mack’s current state is temporary and they’ve used just three outside linebackers the past handful of weeks. Unless it’s some type of player for player trade where money lines up close to equal, I can’t see any movement happening. Even on the player for player subject Chicago Bears Hoodie , it’s unlikely at best.For me, the priority (whether it be now or after the season) absolutely has to be Bryce Callahan. Five years ago, the answer may have been different but the value of nickel corners continues to go up with nickel looks becoming the new base.Adrian Amos has been a solid player but I’ll continue to say that if he was as good or valuable as pundits like Pro Football Focus said he was, the Bears would have made him a priority along with Eddie Goldman back in August and September.The Bears will have limited cap space but there’s no reason why they couldn’t slightly back-load a Callahan deal worth four years and $6-7 million per year.Only time will tell if that happens but my guess is that at least one of them are back and Callahan would be much harder to replace.If I had to guess, I don’t think Mack is going to sit unless his leg is falling off. Whether or not that’s the right choice has yet to be seen but this is a player in his fifth year that has never missed a game and takes pride in being the highest paid defensive player in league history.As far as Robinson goes, I’m a little more iffy with him. Groin issues can linger for weeks and the fact that he pulled himself out of the game that late, isn’t exactly a good sign. The Bears have an “easier” schedule on paper these next two weeks but for as desperate as they will be to win these games, so will the Jets and Bills. My guess is, if they are healthy enough, they will play.The Bear’s Den, October 24, 2018 BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!BEARRRSSSSDickerson: Quiet Khalil Mack shows how important he is to Chicago Bears’ success - Chicago Bears- ESPN - An ankle injury didn’t sideline Mack, who spent most of his day dropping back in coverage. But it raises more questions about his health going forward.When Needed Most, Leonard Floyd Has Been Missing in Action. But There’s Still Time - Da Bears Blog - If ever there was a time the Bears needed Leonard Floyd to prove he was worth the ninth overall pick in the 2016 draft, it is right now.Emma: For Bears’ Mitchell Trubisky, There’s A Lesson In One Ugly Play - 670 The Score - Matt Nagy has implored Mitchell Trubisky to learn from a risky goal-line throw.Emma: Bears’ Adam Shaheen Nearing Return From Injured Reserve - 670 The Score - Shaheen has been sidelined with a foot/ankle injury since August.Gabriel: Should Bears Be Concerned About Their Defense? - 670 The Score - Chicago’s defense was great through four weeks and since has been shredded.5@5: Is Nagy Yanking Chains In Complimenting Trubisky? - 670 The Score - The Mully & Haugh crew debates a five-pack of questions every weekday.Finley: Jordan Howard says Bears can fix run game with time - Chicago Sun-Times - Howard — who is averaging only 3.5 yards per attempt https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Jim-Mcmahon-Jersey , No. 41 among qualified rushers — said that the problem is more a matter of execution than schemeWiederer & Campbell: If Khalil Mack isn't fully healthy and productive, where does that leave the Bears defense against the Jets and Sam Darnold? - Chicago Tribune - Khalil Mack's production has dropped off after a scorching September, and it's no coincidence he's playing through a sprained right ankle. Assuming Mack needs time to return to full health, where does that leave a Bears defense that has been ordinary in back-to-back losses?Campbell: 5 observations from rewatching Bears-Patriots, including Mitch Trubisky's repeated mistake and Khalil Mack in coverage - Chicago Tribune - Khalil Mack in pass coverage and Mitch Trubisky's missed throws are two of the five observations from re-watching the Bears' 38-31 loss to the Patriots.Rosenbloom: Looks like it’s time for the Bears to sit injured Khalil Mack - Chicago Tribune - The Bears have a decision to make: Is the percentage of Khalil Mack they’re getting now better than 100 percent of a lesser player who can run in coverage and at least fake rushing the quarterback?Film review: Why wasn't Khalil Mack an effective pass rusher against the Patriots? - NBC Sports Chicago - Khalil Mack didn't record a sack and barely pressured Tom Brady over the course of the Bears' loss to the Patriots on Sunday.Perez: Chicago Bears should shop Leonard Floyd at trade deadline - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears should look to trade former first-round pick Leonard Floyd at the 2018 NFL trade deadlineChalk Talk: Why didn’t Bears throw Hail Mary at end of first half? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses why the Bears didn’t throw a Hail Mary at the end of the first half, why the Bears dropped their outside linebackers into pass coverage so much Sunday and if the officials missed a penalty on the Patriots’ kickoff returLunch With Larry: 10.23.18 - ChicagoBears.com - Bears Senior Writer Larry Mayer discusses the Bears' defensive attack, offensive strategy and what improvements the team needs to make to bounce back against the Jets.Medina: Trey Burton's Breakout Performance Against the Patriots Shouldn't Go Unnoticed - Bleacher Nation - Trey Burton's big day was a long time coming.POLISH SAUSAGEDerek Carr responds to report about locker room strife - NFL.com - Amid rumors of possibly being traded and internal conflict with his Oakland teammates, quarterback Derek Carr took to social media Tuesday to reaffirm his desire to play for the Raiders.Giants trade former first-round CB Eli Apple to Saints - NFL.com - Eli Apple is leaving the Big Apple. The often-maligned former first-round cornerback was traded from the New York Giants to the New Orleans Saints, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported.KNOW THY ENEMYNFL Week 8 power rankings roundup: Detroit Lions still have a lot to prove - Pride Of Detroit - Despite winning three of their last four, the Lions still haven’t made national analysts believe in them.Minnesota Vikings vs New York Jets 37-17 game recap, three takeaways - Daily Norseman - The Vikes have won three straight? You betcha’!Aaron Rodgers Injury Update: Packers QB did not practice on Tuesday of week 8 - Acme Packing Company - Don’t push the panic button, though. This is consistent with his trends in practice over the past few weeks.Broncos “will look into” Chad Kelly arrest and “make a decision” – ProFootballTalk - The Broncos released a boilerplate statement about quarterback Chad Kelly's arrest for criminal trespassing on Tuesday and General Manager John Elway had a bit more to say during an appearance on Orange & Blue 760 later in the day.IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRONZeglinski: The Chicago Bears’ outside linebackers are cornerbacks now - Windy City Gridiron - To combat the Patriots and Tom Brady, Vic Fangio had his pass rushers curiously drop back aplenty. A number and note that’s quite strange.Householder's Stock up, stock down: Chicago Bears-New England Patriots - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears are back at .500 but all is not lost...or is it?Wiltfong's NFL Power Rankings: Where will the last place Bears fall? - Windy City Gridiron - We take our weekly look around the NFL Power Rankings to find out what the national analysts think about the Chicago Bears.Householder's Ten Thoughts on the 2018 NFL, Chicago Bears, Patrick Mahomes, Trubisky - Windy City Gridiron - Your regularly scheduled writer needed a break, so you’re stuck with me.WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong Dion Sims Jersey , Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - iTunes - Robert ZeglinskiTHE RULESWindy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. 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