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The Chicago Bears may only have two wins this season, but if you step back and look at how they got there, you’ll see a sputtering offense for most of the season led to the four losses. Defensively these Bears have been pretty good.
If you go purely by the numbers, Chicago’s defense is ranked 6th in total yards allowed (302.7). They are ranked 8th in passing yards allowed (198.3) and 15th in rushing yards allowed (104.3).
They are ranked 25th in points per game allowed (24.7), 17th in third down percentage allowed (39.3%) and tied for 7th with 16 sacks.
Football Outsiders ranks teams by DVOA, and they have the Bears 16th overall defensively.
The Aikman Efficiency Ratings are another popular rankings system and they have the Bears 14th in total defense.
If you’re more into grades, the people over at Pro Football Focus have the Bears with the #3 defense in the NFL.
3. CHICAGO BEARS
BEST-GRADED STARTER: Adrian Amos, S, 87.7
WORST-GRADED: Quintin Demps, S, 43.4
No unit has improved like the Chicago Bears have on defense. It still has some issues, but it has been undermined by their offense more than most teams, not to mention injuries. They have some impressive grades in coverage across the entire back seven, while the defensive front has been very stout against the run, even if the pass-rush remains a concern.
Demps had a bad week one, he was a little better week two, then he was hurt week three. Amos stepped in and played like he was pissed off that Demps took his job this off season.
Just how good is the Bears defense? The numbers are one thing, and rankings are another, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio doesn’t worry about those things. “To me, it’s just what your eyes tell you,” Fangio said via CBS Chicago. “Not what stats tell you.”
To illustrate some of what the Bears’ defense is capable of, I wanted to share this Twitter thread from our guy Andrew Link.
2. Defense starts up front. @EddieGoldman had a monster game. After initially being double, a nice swim inside for the stuff #Bears pic.twitter.com/ez2DJB07cR
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
3. @EddieGoldman abuses the center on this play. A lightning-quick swim into the backfield for another run stuff. #Bears pic.twitter.com/ZvgQnnppBF
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
4. Here is yet another dominant play by @EddieGoldman. Perfect example of how to 2-gap. "Press" the OL and get into the backfield #Bears pic.twitter.com/5WAZGraLMO
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
5. Now we move on to @The_Dream99. Pure power on this play. Stands up the TE with a punch, then tosses him aside for the stuff. #Bears pic.twitter.com/sfy36sh1qe
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
6. This is how you beat a ZBS. A great first-step to cross the face of the OT, scrape down the LOS & stuff the back. Well-done @The_Dream99 pic.twitter.com/RPzm4Iftl9
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
7. Here is Hick's sack. Pure dominance. Goldman likely get this sack of Hicks doesn't get there first. #Jailbreak #Bears pic.twitter.com/CfJ4aHqhFg
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
8. The LBs were great last week. Jones has been sneaky good all season. If he can cover like this, the #Bears are in great shape! pic.twitter.com/7datVQda6O
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
9. @Grindin_59 had his best game as a #Bears player IMO. First, the strip. He just muscles this ball away from the receiver. pic.twitter.com/1h247g68w5
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
10. Look at how Trevathan reads this play. This is not an easy play for a LB. Lowers the boom when he gets there. That's #Bears football! pic.twitter.com/MtVpRHTGXs
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
11. One more for Trevathan. Watch him sift through the trash and fill the hole perfectly. Textbook LB play right here. #Bears pic.twitter.com/hMxDq7oFdz
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
12. The secondary was amazing. Everyone focusing on the INTs, but they were physical too! Watch Bryce Callahan shed this block! #Bears pic.twitter.com/xm8QHc6KWO
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
13. Kyle Fuller had a great game. His confidence has been rising each game. Watch him mirror this route and drive on the ball. #Bears pic.twitter.com/i4eIoTU5th
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
14. The name of the game was physicality. Fuller with a really nice, aggressive open-field tackle on the check-down. #Bears pic.twitter.com/QRP07CSGx3
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
15. Fuller makes another really good open-field tackle here in zone coverage. The tackling has been superb in the secondary #Bears pic.twitter.com/Y7PCpigb0A
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
16. I was down on Jackson because of his tackling in college. Boy did he improve there. His read/reaction time is special #Bears pic.twitter.com/Kgz34uSEza
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
17. This is so impressive! Watch how far Eddie Jackson has to go to make this play. He has the makings of a great FS! #Bears pic.twitter.com/Cvo075oZt1
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
18. This was his most impressive tackle of the game. He scrapes and fills like a LB here and gets the stuff. Great play! #Bears pic.twitter.com/MkQveB3Ijk
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
19. Last guy here is @SmashAmos38. Dude absolutely balled on Sunday. He has played more aggressive this season and bringing the lumber pic.twitter.com/BY4ectApxX
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
20. Look at the slight hesitation to line the hit up with the ball, so he isn't early. SS is where Amos can play his game IMO. #Bears pic.twitter.com/95qQO0yHVC
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
21. Watch the read and anticipation here. Then he drives at full speed and makes a sure tackle. This is an excellent play. #Bears pic.twitter.com/RnDchFDn4L
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
22. The aggressiveness of this tackle, in the open-field, in this situation is outstanding. This is a big-boy play my @SmashAmos38 here pic.twitter.com/BCeB3ZY57T
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
23. Oh and he can cover too! This was another aggressive and confident play. This secondary is starting to come together and I love it! pic.twitter.com/BUrahwjVSG
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017
And since Andrew did such an awesome job on these Tweets, it’s fitting I give him the last word.
24. This #Bears defense is starting to play with confidence. They are fast & taking chances. THIS is what this defense can be if they want
— Andrew Link (@BearsLink82) October 18, 2017