Bears' Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen Saved Best for Last, But D-Line Remains a Concern
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has faced his fair share of challenges this season, but his impressive performance against the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday's game was certainly a welcome respite from the woes that have plagued his unit. With the team nursing injuries to several key players, including cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, Allen's ability to adapt and make plays on defense has been a revelation.
Allen blitzed Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford 37% of the time, resulting in two sacks from defensive backs, which further highlighted the Bears' opportunistic approach on defense. The team forced punts on six of their next seven possessions after the Rams scored on their first drive of the game, showcasing Allen's ability to adjust his strategy mid-game.
While praise from Rams coach Sean McVay was certainly a boost for Allen and the Bears, it also served as a reminder that they still have significant work to do in addressing their defensive line. Despite Montez Sweat's impressive 10 sacks, the team struggled to find consistent pass-rush talent behind him. Austin Booker had a solid season with 4.5 sacks in nine starts, but other edge rushers failed to make an impact.
The Bears' injury woes were particularly pronounced at linebacker, where all three starters went on injured reserve at some point during the year. The team will need to find ways to get its key defenders healthy and on the field for next season if it hopes to build upon Allen's impressive defensive performances.
As General Manager Ryan Poles acknowledged, "there's a lot going on [at defensive line], just in terms of, we had some injuries going on that you have to overcome." The team will need to find creative solutions to address these issues and give Allen the support he needs to continue producing at an elite level. As for Allen himself, his mantra of "creating a meal" with limited ingredients remains relevant as he looks to build upon this season's success.
"We try to figure out what are the skillset of the players that we have available to us — try to put them in positions to be able to do the things that they do well," Allen explained. "And each week that might change based on who you have available to you." With some added depth and health at defensive line, Allen may finally get the support he needs to take his team to the next level.
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has faced his fair share of challenges this season, but his impressive performance against the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday's game was certainly a welcome respite from the woes that have plagued his unit. With the team nursing injuries to several key players, including cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, Allen's ability to adapt and make plays on defense has been a revelation.
Allen blitzed Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford 37% of the time, resulting in two sacks from defensive backs, which further highlighted the Bears' opportunistic approach on defense. The team forced punts on six of their next seven possessions after the Rams scored on their first drive of the game, showcasing Allen's ability to adjust his strategy mid-game.
While praise from Rams coach Sean McVay was certainly a boost for Allen and the Bears, it also served as a reminder that they still have significant work to do in addressing their defensive line. Despite Montez Sweat's impressive 10 sacks, the team struggled to find consistent pass-rush talent behind him. Austin Booker had a solid season with 4.5 sacks in nine starts, but other edge rushers failed to make an impact.
The Bears' injury woes were particularly pronounced at linebacker, where all three starters went on injured reserve at some point during the year. The team will need to find ways to get its key defenders healthy and on the field for next season if it hopes to build upon Allen's impressive defensive performances.
As General Manager Ryan Poles acknowledged, "there's a lot going on [at defensive line], just in terms of, we had some injuries going on that you have to overcome." The team will need to find creative solutions to address these issues and give Allen the support he needs to continue producing at an elite level. As for Allen himself, his mantra of "creating a meal" with limited ingredients remains relevant as he looks to build upon this season's success.
"We try to figure out what are the skillset of the players that we have available to us — try to put them in positions to be able to do the things that they do well," Allen explained. "And each week that might change based on who you have available to you." With some added depth and health at defensive line, Allen may finally get the support he needs to take his team to the next level.