1. Lacking a rush
The press-box statisticians at Soldier Field didn’t do the Bears’ defense any favors on Sunday. In fact, they marked the defense down for a bunch of zeros.
Not only did the Bears not sack quarterback Marcus Mariota in their 27-21 loss to the Titans, but they barely pressured him.
Mariota’s fleet-footed ways undoubtedly helped — he ran for 46 yards on four carries — but the Bears didn’t register a quarterback hit.
Mariota was kept clean, completing 15 of 23 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns.
The over-the-top touch that Mariota displayed on passes of 38 yards to tight end Delanie Walker and 29 yards into the end zone to receiver Rishard Matthews was extremely impressive.
“Those guys up front did a great job of giving us some time to make plays down the field,” Mariota said. “We’re all fortunate to play behind those guys.”
2. Positive points
Lost in all the hoopla that was quarterback Matt Barkley’s comeback attempt was a stellar fourth-quarter effort by the Bears’ defense.
The Bears forced the Titans into two three-and-outs in the final quarter.
Defensive tackle Eddie Goldman made the biggest play. On third-and-2 in the final minutes, Goldman stopped running back DeMarco Murray (17 carries, 43 yards) for a one-yard gain an option play.
3. Meredith stopped
Cameron Meredith is supposed to be the Bears’ No. 1 receiver with Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White out. But he hasn’t produced like it.
Against the Titans, Meredith has two catches on nine targets for 19 yards. Barkley’s passes weren’t always perfect, but it’s safe to say that more is expected from Meredith.
