The Chicago Bears are in a tough spot as they gear up to face the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. Coming off a crushing 52-21 defeat by the Detroit Lions, the Bears' defense has been under intense scrutiny. With the NFL's worst scoring defense, allowing an average of 39.5 points per game, the team is desperate for a turnaround.

Defensive Breakdown

The Bears' defensive woes were glaring in their recent loss. They allowed the Lions to score 52 points, the most against the Bears since 2014. The defense also gave up 8.8 yards per play, the worst rate in a game since 1961. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett acknowledged the issues but remained optimistic, stating, "A lot of the things are fixable, if not everything."

Injury Concerns

Health has been a significant factor in the Bears' defensive struggles. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson is out indefinitely with a groin injury, and the team is considering surgery for his recovery. Nickel corner Kyler Gordon and linebacker T.J. Edwards are both dealing with hamstring injuries and are considered "week to week."

Pass Rush Problems

One of the most critical issues has been the lack of pressure on the quarterback. The Bears failed to sack Jared Goff in their game against the Lions and had minimal quarterback hits or pressures. Head coach Ben Johnson emphasized the need to affect the quarterback more effectively, stating, "Step No. 1 for us going into this game was trying to affect the quarterback; we came up short in that regard."

New Acquisitions Yet to Shine

The Bears made significant investments in their pass rush during the offseason, signing defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. However, these new additions have yet to make a substantial impact. Odeyingbo has struggled, with 26 pass rush losses without a win, while Jarrett's pass rush win rate ranks 44th among players with at least 30 pass rushes.

Montez Sweat's Struggles

Montez Sweat, the Bears' highest-paid defensive player, has also seen a dip in production. After recording 12.5 sacks in 2023, Sweat has only managed 5.5 sacks over 16 games in 2024. Despite his efforts, the coaching staff wants to see more from him in one-on-one situations.

Looking Ahead

The Bears' defense needs a collective effort to improve. With the Cowboys' high-powered offense next on the schedule, the Bears must address their issues quickly. Coach Johnson remains confident in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's ability to turn things around, stating, "We brought in Dennis Allen for a reason -- he does a phenomenal job coaching it to not only the coaches but the players."

As the Bears prepare for their upcoming game, all eyes will be on their defense to see if they can rise to the challenge and secure their first win of the season.