It doesn't get any easier for Bears defense against Seattle this week
A common refrain from the Chicago Bears beleaguered pass rushers, who have yet to register their first sack, is that they have to “finish” plays.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio says the way they start plays might be more important. They'll have to improve in both areas to get a grip on Seahawks' slippery quarterback Russell Wilson on Sunday in Seattle.
“They have to finish,” Fangio said. “But they have to have some success early in the down, so that they have a chance to finish. Pass rush is usually won or lost very early in the down.
“If you gain an advantage very early in the down, you have a chance to finish. If you're getting blocked early, it's harder to finish because the O-lineman or whoever is blocking you is stuck on you and in your way. So we've got to be able to win earlier and get some rush that way.”
The Oakland Raiders are the only other NFL team without a sack, and Fangio said the ineffective pass rush coupled with coverage problems in the secondary creates a vexing situation.
“Right now we're faced with a quandary,” Fangio said. “Some people say we should play more two (defensive linemen) to help the corners (with additions defensive backs). Then the next statement from the same guy may be, 'Hey, we need to pressure more to help the rush. So we've got to balance that conflict and use both.”
It's certainly possible to get to Wilson — he already has been sacked eight times this year — but it's much more likely that he escapes and makes a big play with his speed and quickness. He has rushed for 109 yards on 18 carries this year for a 6.1-yard average.
He was even better as a ball carrier last year. Wilson ran for 847 yards, which was tied for 16th among all players, including running backs. No other quarterback was within 200 yards of his rushing total. He averaged 7.19 yards per carry, more than a yard better than anyone who had 100 or more attempts.
“He's a terrific athlete,” Bears coach John Fox said. “I think it speeds up even a little bit more on turf (like at CenturyLink Field) than on natural grass. He is a tremendous competitor; he was in college, and he has made a pretty immediate impact for their football team going back to his rookie year.
“For a shorter guy, he does find (passing) windows, (and) against the rush, he buys time. He's got excellent speed.”
Wilson's regular-season winning percentage of 72.0 (36-14) is second among active quarterbacks only to Tom Brady's 77.5. The Bears' Jay Cutler, who isn't expected to play, is 61-60 lifetime. Jimmy Clausen, who is expected to start, is 1-10.
Wilson is even tougher at home. The 5-foot-11, 206-pound escape artist is 22-2 at “The Link,” where he has a 100.9 passer rating. Since his rookie season in 2012, Wilson has directed 15 fourth-quarter or overtime comeback victories, placing him in a first-place tie with the Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo.
“He's a magician,” Fangio said of Russell. “He's extremely fast, extremely quick, extremely instinctive. And he's very confident with the ball, sees the field, has a feel for what's around him. He doesn't get hit very hard, even when he carries the ball as much as he does.
“He's a good passer. He's a dual threat, obviously. Their scheme has been tailored to him, and it's become a good offense.”
And that's bad news for a Bears defense that is reeling after allowing 7 touchdown passes in back-to-back losses and is looking for its first sack of the season.
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