Lack of pass rush remains big issue
IN BRIEF
Through eight weeks, the Bears are tied for 27th in the NFL in sacks with 12. Now they will face a more dangerous threat in the Chargers’ Philip Rivers, who is second in the NFL in passing yards per game (344) and seventh in passer rating (102.1).
Staff Reporter
The Bears’ defense has made progress this season under coordinator Vic Fangio, but one bugaboo remains: the pass rush.
Through eight weeks, the Bears (2-5) are tied for 27th in the NFL in sacks with 12. Opposing quarterbacks have an average passer rating of 103.5, putting the Bears fifth from the bottom.
Three of the quarterbacks the Bears have faced are ranked among the top five — the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers (110.9, second), the Cardinals’ Carson Palmer (110.2, third) and the Raiders’ Derek Carr (105.7, fifth). And the Lions’ Matthew Stafford had his best game of the season against the Bears (405 yards, four touchdowns and a 117.7 rating).
The Bears contained the Vikings’ Teddy Bridgewater until the final four minutes of a 23-20 loss Sunday at Soldier Field. But now they will face a more dangerous threat in the Chargers’ Philip Rivers, who is second in the NFL in passing yards per game (344) and seventh in passer rating (102.1).
The Bears were close to getting to Bridgewater on a few occasions, but they couldn’t finish.
‘‘The key is turning it up a little bit more in practice,’’ said outside linebacker Sam Acho, who became a starter when Jared Allen was traded after Week 3. ‘‘We’ve been practicing hard, but just adding a little bit more attention to how we prepare.’’
Still on board
The Bears still have two of their highest-paid pass rushers on the roster after outside linebackers Willie Young and Lamarr Houston weren’t traded at the deadline. Young, who led the Bears with 10 sacks in former coordinator Mel Tucker’s 4-3 defense last season, played seven snaps against the Vikings; Houston played four.
Chargers lose WR Allen
The Chargers’ offense, which leads the NFL in total yards (423) and passing yards (337) per game, took a hit when leading receiver Keenan Allen (67 catches, 725 yards, four touchdowns) was put on injured reserve with a lacerated kidney.
Bears waive WR Chiles
The Bears waived receiver John Chiles from the reserve/injured list.