Is starting to wear on me. We’ve had 4 field goals missed on us, but we’ve also come up with some sweet turnovers at key times. We still lack good solid fundamental tackling but this team plays with intensity. They may not win games for us but they keep us in games and give the offense the chances it needs. Now can we please find our run game?

Last year, we finished 30th in the league with 241.2 yards per game. And so far, as you pointed out, we are at 198.7. Huge difference, and especially considering we’ve faced Rodgers and Roethlisberger.

If we stay around that average for the entire year, we will finish where the Titans and Giants finished last year (9th and 8th respectively) in that category.

On a side note, last week, we beat the Steelers, and espn moved us up one whole position in their power rankings. Well, this week, we make it our second win in a row, in a tough Qwest Field atmosphere, and how many spots did we move up? Zero.

That was Nick Roache with the pass break-up in Seattle though wasn’t it. The play where the ball hit him in the back?

I for one have liked Lovie’s play calling, much better than Babich. I would just like to see our CB’s playing a little closer to the line of scrimmage in 3rd and short situations.

from D+ last season to B+/ A – now.
The pass rush is so much better, like D to A – grade. Quarterbacks are running for their life and they gotta be good to make plays against this defense line. Just ok isn’t gonna cut it anymore like the past two seasons against our defense. They just gotta stuff the run which is where there is room for improvement. Those running backs are slicing up the middle and with Urlacher out, the D Line needs to really be stronger. But I am coming to close to changing my Oso Monstar of Midway profile description, I have not gotten over the sacking of Ron Rivera. But I gotta admit that under Marinelli this D Line is improved with a new groove.

I do believe they are performing better than last year due to the increased pressure they are putting on the QB. They’re tendancy to give up 3rd downs on short slants is still troubling and I don’t understand why, after 5 years, they can’t figure out how to fix that flaw in the scheme.

They’re not dominant in any one category (minus sacks), but they’re not getting destroyed in one either. A lot of times you see teams that defend against the rush extremely well, but get torched through the air at the will of opposing QB. We are above average against the rush and, more surprisingly, the pass.

I like what they are doing, especially with key players out and against good QB’s (minus Wallace).

forcing teams to give up on run and pass more will give our D line and D backs the keys to the playoffs, especially the pic offs. Getting our run game going real solid will help Cutler dominate with the play action.

The only problem I have with the defense is the cornerbacks playing five to seven yards off on key passing downs. Other then that Lovie and Marineli is putting this defense in a position to make plays. Just imagine if number 54 never gotten injured in the opener.

We’ve had defensive success (defined here as won the game) against two teams who are 1-2. The team we lost to is 2-1.

I saw earlier that DeAngelo Smith is being cut. The move is being made to open up a spot to sign a LB.

the injuries. Not great and not bad. The LBs and DBs are not tackling well (except Afalava) for whatever reason. The coverage has been below average, but balanced by above average D-line play. The problem is, they have yet to dominate any team defensively. The Packers were the only good offense they’ve played and they struggle to be good. Come on, it was Seneca Freakin Wallace, not Drew Brees. And let’s face it the Steelers are not playing well and cannot run.

Say what you want about the injuries because the Seahawks had plenty of their own. The issue comes down to this:
The Tampa2 is set up to be successful by limiting the big play and taking the ball away. Until the Bears start causing fumbles and find a new “interceptor”, they will be maddeningly average. IMO, the only thing that can elevate the pay of this defense is for the offense to be able to run the ball consistently. When the O can run and rest the D, they will be sharper and find a smaller list of plays to defend.