Chicago Bears: 5 Reasons They Lost In Houston

Limited pass rush

It was clear the Bears pass rush suffered a loss when linebacker Pernell McPhee went on the PUP list. Even so there were expectations that Lamarr Houston, Willie Young and rookie Leonard Floyd would be able to handle the job with help from an upgraded defensive front. Though they sacked Brock Osweiler twice, truthfully the rush was dormant for long stretches of that game. It allowed Osweiler to take repeated shots down the field, which is why rookie Will Fuller had such a big afternoon.

The good news is Floyd was in on one of the sacks, as was Eddie Goldman. Vic Fangio has a way of adjusting his defense to what works. Odds are the pass rush will have better days in the future. Even so it was a little disconcerting to see it so ineffective against an offensive line missing its best player in left tackle Duane Brown. Guys are going to have to step up if this defense wants to fulfill its prediction of rapid improvement from last year.

Next: Blunders