Defense appears to be a dying animal in the NFL these days. Yet some teams continue to hold out like bright beacons on a storm-swept sea. The Dallas Cowboys had their moment on Thursday night against New Orleans. Minnesota has regained their old form. Yet none of them have had the consistency of the Chicago Bears defense this year.
After ranking 10th in the league last season, they’ve taken a major step up in 2018. They’re 4th in the NFL in yards allowed and 3rd in points allowed. They’re also first in the league with 36 takeaways including 20 interceptions. It’s been one giant swirling maelstrom of chaos and Chicago is loving every bit of it.
The question is where is the true focal point of the unit’s success? It’s the sort of thing that could start an argument with fans. Most would probably state it’s the front seven led by star pass rusher Khalil Mack, monster defensive end Akiem Hick, big nose tackle Eddie Goldman, and the fierce tandem of Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan at inside linebacker.
ESPN and Pro Football Focus would not agree.
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Chicago Bears defense is spearheaded by their secondary
Consider where the biggest plays of the season have come from on defense. It always seems like somebody in the secondary is seizing the moment. PFF, in collaboration with ESPN, ranked their best units of the NFC and the Bears coverage unit came in 2nd behind only the powerhouse Saints offense.
“Defense is back in Chicago, led by one of the very best secondaries in the NFL. On the season, the Bears have allowed a league-low passer rating of 78.3 while being the only team in the NFL to intercept more passes than the number of touchdowns it has allowed through the air. When quarterbacks have attempted passes 20 or more yards downfield against the Bears, just 10 of 37 have been completed, with twice as many interceptions as touchdowns allowed (six to three). Chicago allows -0.07 expected points added on early-down passes, meaning its opponents lose points on early-down pass attempts.”
It’s an easy argument to make. Every week it seems like somebody else is delivering that knockout. First, it’s Bryce Callahan. Then it’s Prince Amukamara. Then it’s Kyle Fuller. Most of the time it’s Eddie Jackson. There is a strong possibility that the Bears could have three Pro Bowl players out of their five primary defensive back group. That’s incredible under the circumstances.
All told the group has 15 interceptions, three defensive touchdowns, three forced fumbles, and four sacks. There’s been no escaping them regardless of situation for opposing offenses. Given that Bears defense has always been defined by great front sevens, it’s unusual for the secondary to be playing such a frontal role this season.
It’s also a credit to GM Ryan Pace for putting this group together.
