Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker has admitted that not having linebacker Lance Briggs available has made his side easier to beat.

Tucker said that Briggs, who has been out since October through injury, does his job so well that he is able to cover for mistakes by his teammates.

"He gives you margin for error and players that can win one-on-one pretty much do that," Tucker told the club's official website.

"He can do his job and then once he's secured his job, he can help out. It gives you more margin in your defense overall when you have playmakers like that. He's a physical presence. He brings a lot of confidence to the group.

"He's done a great job since he's been out working with the younger players on the practice field and in meetings, just showing those guys what he sees and telling those guys what he knows and help them take it to the game."

Briggs has played for the Bears since being drafted in 2003.