The Chicago Bears put together a mediocre performance on the defensive side of the ball in Week 1 versus the Detroit Lions. After Chicago's outing in Week 1 on defense, Khalil Mack expressed the need for the Bears to improve moving forward.
“Everything has to be better,” Mack said on Friday, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “We know what we’re capable of. It’s going to be another challenge this week going out against another great back [in the Giants’ Saquon Barkley]. It’s gonna be fun, though, man. We look forward to the challenge.”
While the Bears were able to overcome a 23-6 deficit against the Lions, they allowed 426 yards of offense. At the same time, Mack failed to touch Matthew Stafford during the game, with Akiem Hicks being the only member of the Bears to record a sack.
Given the faults of the defense, defensive coordinator, Chuck Pagano, took the brunt of the blame for the performance. However, Mack accepted part of the blame and realizes the Bears' defense can be vastly better.
“It’s not up to me or anybody else to make excuses,” Mack said. “He took the blame. I’m gonna take the blame as well. It’s something that, yeah, that showing wasn’t our defense.”
The first chance for the Bears to bounce back on defense will come in Week 2 versus the New York Giants. As Mack points out, despite his underwhelming performance in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago will be tasked with slowing down a talent like Saquon Barkley.
If the Bears get Robert Quinn back from injury on Sunday, their pass rush should see more success versus a new-look Giants offensive line. Regardless of Quinn's status for Week 2, Mack is up for the challenge of improving Chicago's defense in 2020.
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