Bears defense on autopilot without Matt Eberflus

Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington has a big task on his hands after head coach Matt Eberflus was fired on Friday. But it can also be a great opportunity.

The defense that was Eberflus’ baby is still ninth in the NFL in points allowed after 12 games, but is reeling during a six-game losing streak that has kept Eberflus on a winning streak.

Thursday’s 23-20 loss to the Lions was typical of recent struggles. The Bears defense allowed 405 yards, including 194 rushing yards. However, he also played a key role in overcoming a 16-0 deficit. The Bears totaled 126 yards and 50 rushing yards in the second half.

Even though he had 279 yards in the first half, the defense didn’t let the game get out of control. This forced the Lions to settle for a field goal on three drives and a tough stop on another as linebacker Tyrique Stevenson forced running back Jahmyr Gibbs to fumble to the Bears’ 6-yard line with linebacker Gervon Dexter recovering. The Bears could have been down 28-0 or 35-0 at halftime.

Overall, the defense was disappointing after a fast start. He’s allowed 397 yards per game (31st in that span) and 23.2 points per game over the last six games after ranking fourth in points allowed and seventh in yards allowed in his first six games.

It is likely that with Eberflus’ departure, Washington will take over the role of full coordinator. This appears to be a challenge as the Bears are 4-8 and unlikely to make the playoffs. All five remaining opponents rank in the top half of the NFL in scoring – 49ers (13th), Vikings (ninth), Lions (first), Sea-hawks (15th) and Packers (eighth).

However, if the defense collapses in the last five games, it won’t be because of Eberflus’ departure. While he clearly built this defense, going from 32nd and last in the NFL in scoring in 2022 to ninth this season, players weren’t emotionally attached to him the way they were with former Bears coach Lovie Smith and former coordinator defense Vic Fangio.

Washington actually has a chance to revitalize the defense, which, like every part of the team, felt the confusion surrounding Eberflus’ permanent status. The Bears still have a young defense and are relatively healthy for this time of the season, with a few exceptions. Safety Jaquan Brisker has missed the last seven games with a concussion and is on injured reserve. Defensive player Andrew Billings is out with a torn pectoral muscle.

Washington insisted that the defensive mistakes during this losing streak were a result of players trying to do too much, not too little. During the drive, the Bears allowed passes of 61, 60 and 69 yards (plus a 52-yard Hail Mary by the Commanders). On Thursday, the Lions’ longest pass was 30 yards.

“The situations we found ourselves in were not the result of a lack of attention to detail, focus or effort – all of those things are still there,” Washington said last week. “We have to make sure that certain elements are polished and that we don’t overcompensate in trying to create plays and then all of a sudden we get off balance.

“Sometimes it happens. The guys are so overzealous in trying to be the person who plays the role that they unintentionally compromise the overall structure. And we have a trickle-down effect. We need 11 guys doing what they need to do. And once we do that and get it over with, we won’t have any problems with explosive plays.

It’s unlikely that Washington will – or could – make significant changes on defense in Week 14. Maybe he won’t have to do that after all. Sometimes the change itself makes the difference.