Chicago Bears Sackwatch 2017: Week 5 vs Minnesota Vikings

Believe it or not, the Chicago Bears are one of the least sacked teams in the NFL. With only one allowed the the Minnesota Vikings, they sit in ninth place for fewest sacks allowed this season.

The historical sacks allowed numbers are looking good too.

Sackwatch after 5 games

2010 - 21 Martz
2011 - 18 Martz
2012 - 14 Tice
2013 - 9 Trestman
2014 - 12 Trestman
2015 - 11 Gase
2016 - 11 Loggains
2017 - 9 Loggains

Last year the Bears allowed their fewest sacks since the 2006 season, and their 4.8 sack percentage ranked 8th in the league. This year’s sack percentage is a bit higher, at 5.1, but they still rank 8th.

Sack 9 - Second Quarter 2:34 Everson Griffen
I know a lot of Bears fans are pissed at Bears left tackle Charles Leno Jr. for giving up this sack, but here’s something to keep in mind.

The other team is trying to play football too.

Griffen is one of the best pass rushers in the game today, and Leno did fairly well overall. The Bears didn’t give him, or Bobby Massie over on the right side, much help and they held the Vikes to just this one sack. They were also credited with only two quarterback hits.

Now part of this was aided by the moving pocket and by the athletic new quarterback the Bears threw out there, but on the season, the Bears’ offensive line is among the top ten in allowing the fewest sacks.

Stop letting one or two bad plays overshadow the 50 other snaps these guys blocked alright.

But as for this particular sack. Leno had his ass handed to him.

It’s even uglier up close.

There was a slight hesitation from Leno, almost as if he was expecting a little chip on Griffen from tight end Dion Sims.

Regardless, the jump that Griffen got off the ball would have made it hard for Sims to even chip him. Look how far he’s across the line before Sims is even out of his stance.

With Griffen so wide, Leno needed more depth on his kick step. There also wasn’t an opportunity for Leno to get his hands in Griffen’s chest because he was past him so fast.

Chalk this one up to a Pro Bowl player making a great play.

Individual Sackwatch through 5 games

Sacks Happen - 3
Mike Glennon - 2
Charles Leno - 2
Bobby Massie - 1
Bradley Sowell - 1