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LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears defense has been awesome over this season’s first two games, with a steady pass rush, sure tackling and outstanding secondary play. They have taken the ball away, made key stops that flip fields and have been stingy in the red zone.

None of those things, however, stands as their best attribute. The Bears defense gets tougher as the game goes on.

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That unit has allowed three second-half points over the first two games, with four takeaways in that span. That includes a go-ahead pick six by Tyrique Stevenson in Week 1 and a Week 2 simply-gotta-have-it red-zone fumble forced by Andrew Billings and recovered by Kevin Byard III.

Such dominance isn’t just about being clutch. Talent is obviously the foundation of why the Bears defense is good, with stars, complementary role players and depth at every level.

That’s not entirely why the Bears have been so good in the second half.

It’s also about their process.

This defense is always learning, adapting to what they see. Their method of making in-game adjustments is purposeful, an open dialogue between players and coaches about how to shut the opposition down.

“A lot of it is getting our feet settled,” linebacker T.J. Edwards said. “Everyone has their first 15 (largely scripted offensive plays), and those come with unscouted looks, and after that you start to figure out how they’re attacking us and you adapt to that and counter.

“I think we do a great job with halftime adjustments. That has been key for us.”

The Bears enter a game with plan of attack and adjustment contingencies based on what they’re seeing from the opposing offense.

Head coach Matt Eberflus is the defensive play caller and ultimate decision maker, but he relies heavily on coordinator Eric Washington and position coaches to provide insight while he’s managing the entire game.

He praised Washington in particular for his efforts helping put the defense in position to succeed.

“(Washington has done an) A-plus job in terms of leading the defense, leading the group, leading the staff when I’m not in there, helping to organize the practices, asking questions, all of that,” Washington said. “Then, his in-game tactics have been really good.”

This isn’t just a coaching thing. Not with a smart, experienced group working on the field. Players relay their experience and thoughts on how to defend what’s coming. Coaches absorb, process and discuss next best moves.

It’s clear that there’s a level of trust established between those groups that has made halftime adjustments a collaborative effort.

“That has grown,” Edwards said. “Chemistry in football, especially on defense, is huge. Coaches have to be able to listen to what we’re telling them as things are happening. They also have to trust that what we’re giving them is the right information. So far, that process has been going well. It got going last year but, with some time under our belt working together, it has been awesome.”

They won’t be perfect, and it’s entirely possible the Indianapolis Colts come out Sunday and score a bunch in the second half. It’ll certainly happen at some point. Coverages get blown. Special skill players often do spectacular things.

But the Bears have faith in their process of making adjustments that get results. That’s a foundational element of their success, something they’ll rely on throughout the season to be at their best when it matters most.

“We make sure to settle down late in games, get our feet under us and then execute the game plan going into the second half,” safety Jaquan Brisker said. “I think we do a good job as players talking to each other about what we see. You take in all that information and then use it when you take the field.”

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