Hub Arkush: Bears offense warms up, while defense hasn't been itself
What's going on with the Bears defense?
Heading into the bye, even though the team was riding a four-game losing streak, the defense was No. 1 in the league on third down and in the red zone, and tied for fourth in fewest points allowed.
Four games later, they are now seventh on third downs, third in the red zone and 10th in fewest points allowed. That's still more than respectable, but not near as efficient or at times dominant as they were until four weeks ago.
What makes it all so puzzling is there are very few players we can point at and say 'OK, he's not playing well or not making a difference in the game?'
Eddie Jackson has not been himself all year, but it's not like he's getting beat left and right either. He just hasn't produced at the All-Pro level he did the last two seasons.
Danny Trevathan struggled noticeably over the first half of the season, but over the last four weeks as the defense has staggered, Trevathan is now playing some of the best football of his career and is all the way back.
Robert Quinn has disappointed in the pass rush, but may have played his best two games of the year the last two weeks.
Khalil Mack still slants the playing field in the Bears' favor every time he steps on it, and the fact that Roquan Smith and Kyle Fuller were left off the NFC Pro Bowl team is a farce.
Beyond that group, which along with the opted-out Eddie Goldman, is the nucleus for the Bears on that side of the ball, Bilal Nichols has begun to emerge as a real difference maker recently.
The third-year five technique/defensive tackle said Wednesday, "I feel like I'm playing the best football of my career right now. I feel like just lately, I've been super locked in.
"I've been locked in all season, but I've been able to really hit a groove right now. I feel like everything is coming together. "
Two other guys making a difference up front are rotation guys Bret Urban and Mario Edwards Jr.
"Those guys are great players as well," Nichols said. "Brent, you know, real stout in the running game. Long guy, powerful guy. He really makes his hay in the run game.
"Mario Edwards: very dynamic guy, a guy who can get after the quarterback in numerous ways. Very athletic, very gifted."
"Just playing with both of them has allowed me to pick up some of the things that they're doing, which is why we've been successful this year at D-line because you have guys like that across the board that can come in and provide different things, add value to the team."
For his part Mack can't understand how Smith was left out of the Pro Bowl.
"I mean that's crazy that he didn't receive that honor because he definitely deserves it. I wish I could give him my bid," Mack said. "At the end of the day, Roquan is a special, special player and a special person. Not only is he doing his job, but he's helping others do theirs by communicating."
When you plug in how dominant Akiem Hicks can still be and how well rookie Jaylon Johnson and Tashaun Gipson had played all season, it's really hard to figure out why they can't find their mojo right now.
Coordinator Chuck Pagano appeared to go overly conservative with them in the losses to Green Bay and Detroit, but has picked up his pressure calls with more blitzes the last two weeks. It's helped, but they still weren't near as good beating the Vikings last Sunday as they were losing to them in Chicago five weeks earlier.
If they don't find it over the next 10 days, it won't really matter even as well as the offense has played of late whether they make the playoffs or not.
On the other hand, what's at least a bit intriguing is what might happen if they do find it, they do make the playoffs and the offense continues to roll.
The talent is clearly still there but the mystique and production is MIA.
What will it take to get it back?
• Twitter: @Hub_Arkush