The Bears are second to last in the NFL in third down conversion rate (28.69%), yards per play (4.3), sack avoidance (43), pass completion percentage ( 60.54%) and although they occupy a respectable eighth place in the ranking. red zone, they are second to last in actual trips to the red zone per game (2.3) – they get in once they get there but they just can’t get there. Throw in their 30th ranking in passing yards per game average (170.2) and it’s not hard to see they need to change something. Losing three games in a row to defenses that aren’t considered among the best in the league speaks volumes.

Swift considers the efforts acceptable even if the verdicts are not.

“I feel like everyone is playing hard,” Swift said. “I’m not going to say that anyone is giving mediocre effort or anything like that.

“There’s NFL-caliber guys on the other side of the ball, too. So, you’re going to win some, you’re going to lose some. It just comes down to pride in your work. That’s how I feel.”

Swift believes their communication between coaches and players is also sufficient.

“I feel like it’s a good thing,” Swift said. “Shane has been great in that aspect. I’m always one to never put anything on coaches or anything like that. They’re not out there without a helmet or shoulder pads.

“So I feel like whatever we call them, we as players and those who have a job with these helmets and shoulder pads have to go out there and execute.”

As for what exactly the players have to do, that’s what they do every week, Wednesday through Friday. It’s better in practice.

“We can do a better job focusing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,” Swift said. “We cannot expect this to happen on Sunday without seeing it carried out in the working days before it.

“We just need to be more intentional about our work throughout the week and come here every day with a purpose.”

MATT EBERFLUS PUNTS ON ANNOUNCING THE CHANGE AT PLAY CALLER

BEARS REPORT: THEY DID IT EFFORTLESSLY AGAINST THE PATRIOTS

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE HIVE FOR THE BEARS AGAINST THE PATRIOTS

NINE BAGS CAUGHT FROM CALEB WILLIAMS MANY LOSSES

Waldron isn’t the only coach under scrutiny, although at the moment he appears to be the only one being discussed within the Bears ranks. Matt Eberflus is facing criticism in the media, on social media and among fans of a team in decline after winning three straight.

“I mean, we’re frustrated because we want to win,” linebacker TJ Edwards said. “Like everyone else, right? Especially being here in this city, a proud city. It’s a city that wants to win, where the players want to win. That’s how we feed our families, right? That’s what we want to do, leave a legacy, be successful, that’s all.

“You also have to understand that the division starts now. So with these games it’s very important and we have to do our best, that’s for sure.”

Eberflus’ pride and joy was the HITS principle, which he started talking about as soon as he walked in the door: Hustle, Intensity, Takeaways and Smart Play. The player rating system is based on this.

After the team’s fortunes have changed, it would appear that the impact of this decision is zero.

“I don’t think so,” Edwards said. “I mean, it’s literally what we start our days with that we understand that’s how we’re graded, that’s how we run our team.

“So I don’t think that’s it at all.”

Sunday’s game, when Montez Sweat didn’t return to the sidelines just before halftime and a Patriots field goal was 5 yards closer due to his offsides penalty on the two-man drill minutes, was a clear example of not rushing.

“I think it’s a game where, you know, Tez is just slow to get up (from the ground),” Edwards said. “That’s kind of how it goes and then they’re quick with the ball. You know it’s tough and they ended up executing well, you know.

“But it’s something we rely on and it’s how we play. It’s the energy we play with.”

The complementary football that the Bears demonstrated in beating the Rams, Panthers and Jaguars is completely gone.

“We have to do our job as a defense to try to create turnovers and do those things because we pride ourselves on it, and get three-and-outs and that type of thing, give it to the offense and we know that the offense will come into play. their rhythm,” Edwards said. “We’re confident in that and we’re not going to go back on everything we’ve done. We’ve worked a lot and we know it’s going to fail, that’s for sure.”

Some would say the Bears themselves seem to have cracked, especially after the Hail Mary lost to Washington to start the losing streak.

“A loss is a loss in the NFL,” Edwards said. “All of them are difficult, whether it’s the Hail Mary, this last one or the Arizona. That’s kind of how it goes. All we can do is find a way to make it happen. ‘improves in the future. We have to do it. There is a sense of urgency and we understand that.

Twitter: BearsOnSI