Chicago Bears: Three Concerns Going into the Bye-Week

Since there is no game to preview I thought we would take a look at the main concerns that the Chicago Bears have to address during their bye week. We will count down the top three.                       

1. Defense

Going into the Minnesota game, the Chicago Bears were ranked No. 4 against the run. After allowing Adrian Peterson to have his way with them again, the Bears have moved down to No. 6 against the run. The drop doesn't show how bad it is.

The Vikings were only able to put up 12 points against the NFL's worst team in the Detroit Lions, then they come in and put up 41 against the Bears. Chicago is 30th against the pass, and one reason is believed to be because Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman have been out with injuries.

I don't buy that because their back-ups picked off Gus Frerotte four times. Yes, it would help having them back, but they need to address their secondary. Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher leads the team in tackles, but he has not produced many off those big game changing plays that we are used to seeing. 

2. Devin Hester

Yes, Devin Hester has started to come on as a wide receiver, but he has not gotten anything going in the return game even with teams starting to kick to him now. Hester averages 22 yards a return on kick-offs, which is okay, but on punt returns he averages 5.4 yards and no TDs. Last season he averaged 15.5 yards with four TDs.

As a receiver, Hester has 18 receptions for 215 yards and two TDs.

3. Wide Receivers

For the Bears, the position of wide receiver has always been a shoddy position. This year was starting to look better with Brandon Lloyd looking like he was ready to leave his mark. Unfortunately, he has been plagued by injury and has not played since the Eagles game.

With that said, the Bears' leading receiver is their rookie RB sensation Matt Forte. He leads the team with 29 receptions and two TDs. The leading receiver in yards is TE Greg Olsen with 22 receptions for 296 yards and two TDs. The Bears' best WR right now is Rashied Davis with 254 yards receiving and one TD.

Let's just hope that the Bears can keep winning with a TE and RB doing most of the ball catching, but coming out of the bye-week, the Bears need a back-up plan in case teams start defending against that.

There is a look at what needs to be addressed during the bye. It should be an easy return with the Bears taking on the 0-6 Lions. Chicago is tied for first place in the NFC North with the Green Bay Packers at 4-3.

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