While the Chicago Bears have concerns about their offense, there’s not much on the defensive side of the ball, aside from injuries, that’s concerning.
Aside from a stumble against the Oakland Raiders in Week 5, the Bears defense has been one of the best defenses in the league this season. They’re allowing 13.8 points per game and have the NFL’s fifth-best rushing defense.
According to NFL.com, the Bears defense ranks fourth in the league — which makes you wonder which defenses rank ahead of them?
Give credit to Raiders coach Jon Gruden, whose team has thus far been the only one to enjoy offensive success against the Bears in 2019. In constructing a 17-0 halftime lead in Week 5, Gruden used a quick passing game to nullify the Khalil Mack-led pass rush, while running the ball effectively with Josh Jacobs.
Chicago also missed defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, who later went on injured reserve — his absence will present a real challenge to navigate for this team, as Hicks is excellent at clogging the middle. But the Bears still have Mack, the game’s preeminent edge rusher. And they still have a strong complement of cornerbacks, led by Kyle Fuller, and plenty of speed. Plus, there’s the encouraging fact that the defense is performing as well under coordinator Chuck Pagano as it did under Vic Fangio last season.
The three defenses that rank ahead of the Bears are the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers, who are allowing less than 275 yards per game.
Chicago’s defense has an opportunity to bounce back from that Week 5 loss to the Raiders against a New Orleans Saint team that is without Drew Brees and now running back Alvin Kamara,who has already been ruled out.
