The Chicago Bears defense has returned. Like a long-lost family pet, they’ve reinvigorated the fans who’ve been mired in depression for the past five years watching an inferior product on the field. Everybody knows this has always thrived on great defense. Credit Ryan Pace. While his primary focus the past several years has been building a foundation around the quarterback position, he made sure to give the fans what they wanted.
What he’s built since 2015 is truly impressive. It started with hiring defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, one of the best in the business at what he does. Then the influx of talent began. Eddie Goldman and Adrian Amos kicked things off the first year. Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan, and Leonard Floyd arrived in 2016. Eddie Jackson and Prince Amukamara joined the fun a year later.
Things came to a head this year when first round pick Roquan Smith and superstar pass rusher Khalil Mack were added to the mix. There’s talent at every level. There’s quality coaching. As a result, this defense is suddenly viewed as one of the best in the NFL. There’s even some pretty staggering statistics to back it up.
These teams are BLITZING the most (and the least) through two weeks in the #NFL!#Browns #BeRedSeeRed #GoPats #GiantsPride #HereWeGo @gregcosell @MattBowen41 pic.twitter.com/X1efV5fRI3
— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) September 21, 2018
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They don’t need no stickin’ blitz
The Bears lead the NFL in sacks with 10 through two games. That puts them on pace for 80 this season. While it’s unlikely that holds up, it isn’t what’s most impressive about it. It’s the fact they’re doing it without blitzing. The Bears have blitzed on just 10.7% of opposing dropbacks so far this season, second-fewest in the NFL and yet still lead the league in sacks. Few things are more terrifying to an opponent than a defense that can get to your quarterback with just four rushers.
A skyrocketing turnover rate
Last season, the Bears defense managed to force one turnover through their first two games of the season. So far in 2018, they delivered four. That’s a 400% increase from the year before, which is pretty staggering. One thing they’ve become especially adept at is stripping the football and forcing fumbles. Khalil Mack is often the culprit here. It’s also worth noting they should have five had Kyle Fuller managed to hang on to a gift-wrapped interception in Green Bay.
No second chances
Tackling is a lost art in the NFL. Few things are so underrated as a team that can tackle well. It limits extra yards and forces an offense to work even harder to get down the field and score. Vic Fangio has done a marvelous job with this Bears unit schooling them in the fundamentals. In two games they’ve missed just nine tackles. By comparison, the Kansas City Chiefs have missed 29. Their defense has allowed 65 points in two games.
Not a lot of yellow
Nothing hurts a defense more than their own mistakes. Offenses have enough advantages in the rulebook these days without a defense giving them more help via dumb penalties. The Bears have shown they aren’t going to be the generous type this year. In two games against two pretty damn good quarterbacks, they’ve committed just a single penalty. One. Uno. Given the NFL atmosphere today and how trigger-happy the refs are with those yellow flags, this is insane.
There’s no telling how good this defense can become. They’re still just scratching the surface of their potential. As their comfort levels and experience with each other grow, it will only lead to more great play.
