Khalil Mack Sees Best Still Ahead for Defense
Khalil Mack is apparently a tough evaluator, maybe even tougher in some ways assessng the Bears defense than coordinator Chuck Pagano.
The Bears pass rusher on Friday refused to even give his unit a dominant grade for any game this year, including their 16-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings Sept. 29 at Soldier Field.
"Geez, I'm a tough critic, man," said Mack, who had 5 1/2 sacks in the season's first half. "I feel like I'm one of the toughest critics."
That win over the Vikings was easily the last complete game the defense played, but they also played a strong game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Vikings were down 16-0 until late.
"I mean, even then you see a lot of things that we could have done a lot better, you know what I'm saying?" Mack said. "We put ourselves in situations to dominate and you're asking me about dominating so it's ... yeah it's coming. I haven't felt it yet but it's coming."
It will arrive when the defense creates a few turnovers and finishes a game.
The defense had trouble stopping fourth-quarter drives against the Eagles, Raiders and Chargers in losses and Broncos in a win. Then again, they've been left on the field far too long by their offense.
Pagano on Thursday seemed to indicate the defense already has been at peak performance level even if it doesn't show it on the win-loss side. Except for 11 turnovers forced this year to 21 last year at this point in the season, he said it's similar.
"We went back after eight games and looked at both sides," Pagano said. "It's damn near identical up and down the deal."
That might seem a real stretch, but it is generally true.
They have one less sack (24-23) and 3.3 more first downs (20.8 to 17.5) than last year after eight games, have given up the same number of touchdowns (16), have a better third-down percentage (35.5 to 35.0), fewer points allowed (18 to 19.1) and fewer passing yards allowed (236.5-230.1). They have given up 93.5 yards rushing to 84.9 last year, but last year weren't playing without Akiem Hicks.
2018-19 Defensive Comparison
Through 8 games
| 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|
24 Sacks | 23 Sacks |
17.5 First Downs/Game | 20.8 First Downs/Game |
16 Touchdowns Allowed | 16 Touchdowns Allowed |
19.1 Points Allowed Per Game | 18 Points Allowed Per Game |
35.5% Third Downs | 35.0% Third Downs |
236.5 Yards Passing Per Game | 230.1 Yards Passing Per Game |
84.9 Yards Rushing Per Game | 93.5 Yards Rushing Per Game |
"So again, I think it's just a matter of cleaning up, cleaning up some things like penalties," Pagano said. "We had one defensive offside through eight games last year — we got 10. Those are what we call the sins: Self-inflicted negatives.
The turnovers are huge, but Mack said they're meeting up with some teams committed to avoiding them at all costs.
"You just have to understand it man, especially going against experienced quarterbacks, you know they try to put their team in situations where they don't give the ball away and make to many risky plays," Mack said. "So they're doing everything they can to come in and manage the game and so we kind of see that."
The answer: "So it's up to us to take the ball and that's just going to be the attitude to go out and take it," Mack said.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford on Sunday fits that category of quarterback Mack referred to, the veterans. And he's throwing to Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr. and Danny Amendola.
"You've got to do everything it takes to keep him on the bench because he's a good quarterback and he's got a lot of weapons," Mack said. "Those two receivers, I mean they've got a special group and there's going to be a great task for us."
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