Peppers says defense will get better
Six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers isn’t all that impressed with the Bears’ 7-3 record or the five-game winning streak that has them positioned for the first of two wild-card spots come playoff time.
“We’re headed in the right direction,” said the team leader with 6 sacks. “Hopefully we can get to a point in the season when we can accomplish some of our goals. But we haven’t accomplished any (of our goals) yet.”
Peppers didn’t have any sacks against the Chargers, and he only came close once, even though San Diego was missing three of its top offensive linemen.
The Bears were held without a sack for just the second time all season, and the first since Week 4.
“It’s not like they’re going to sit there and not have a plan for us, and the things that we’re doing,” Peppers said. “Because they have new guys in there, it’s going to put them on alert for some of the things we’ve been having success with.
“Every game has its own personality, and this was a case of that. It was a little frustrating that we didn’t get as much pressure and get a sack. But we got the win, and that’s all that matters. We’ll get better and come back and try it again next week.”
Room for improvement:The secondary could hear some criticism today after allowing Vincent Jackson to catch 7 passes for 165 yards, including a 5-yard TD. Charles Tillman, who played so well a week ago against the Lions#146; Calvin Johnson, was repeatedly victimized Jackson. But Tillman#146;s strip of Ryan Mathews and recovery of the fumble set up the Bears#146; last TD. #147;We#146;re not pleased with how we played pass coverage,#148; coach Lovie Smith said. #147;But Vincent Jackson is a heck of a football player.#148;Safe in the pocket:Ironically, injured quarterback Jay Cutler was not sacked for just the second time this season, and the second time in three weeks, even though Edwin Williams started his first game of the season, filling in for injured left guard Chris Williams.#147;The offensive line did a great job,#148; said Cutler, who helped them by eluding the rush several times and getting the ball away.Many happy returns:The return teams were huge for a Bears offense that struggled to get going early in the game.Hester#146;s apparent 42-yard punt return in the second quarter was officially just 22 yards after a holding call on Kahlil Bell during the return. The Bears still wound up scoring the game#146;s first touchdown for a 10-3 lead.#147;We expect quite a bit,#148; coach Lovie Smith said. #147;We expect special teams to help us win games. We#146;ve won a lot of games with our special teams.#148;Johnny Knox#146;s 53-yard kickoff return was the catalyst to the touchdown drive near the end of the first half that gave the Bears a 17-10 lead with 20 seconds left. The score came on Jay Cutler#146;s 4-yard pass to tight end Kellen Davis, who was not the primary receiver.Davis has just 10 catches this season, but 3 of them have been for touchdowns.