Chicago Bears: Reviewing the 2018 dream season
The defense was an elite unit
Last season the Chicago Bears’ defense was a very good unit. It finished ninth in points allowed and 10th in total yards allowed. Also, the unit finished seventh in passing yards allowed and fifth in passing touchdowns allowed. Against the run, the Bears ranked ninth in rushing touchdowns allowed.
In 2018, the defense took a big step forward. It allowed the fewest points in the league and ranked third in total yards allowed. It ranked seventh in passing yards allowed and eighth in passing touchdowns. Against the run, opposing offenses just decided to just pass to win. The Bears defense ranked first in rushing yards and touchdowns.
In 17 games this season, opponents broke 100 yards rushing just four times (they lost three of those games). Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Jonathan Bullard/Roy Robertson-Harris and company formed a wall that running backs just couldn’t penetrate. It wasn’t until Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills that the Bears allowed a rushing touchdown. They allowed just five rushing touchdowns all season, four of them from four yards or less.
The main difference from last season to this one was the turnovers forced. This year’s Chicago Bears defense was a turnover machine. It had the most total turnovers and the most interceptions in the NFL. After recording a total of 24 interceptions in the past three seasons, the Bears recorded 27 interceptions in 2018 alone. They added another 10 fumble recoveries.
The biggest move made on the defense was the trade for linebacker Khalil Mack. Mack is one of the best defensive players in the NFL and when he got into a contract dispute with the Oakland Raiders, the Bears stepped in and spent a goldmine of assets and money to acquire him and keep him in Chicago. That move paid off in a big way.
Having Mack on the defense solidified the defense. He became the glue that put everything together. His presence on the field freed up everyone else. Leonard Floyd, the linebacker opposite of Mack, didn’t need to face constant double-teams. Fangio could move him around and have him wreak havoc on the field.
Mack also helped the inside linebackers move freely and attack when necessary. In addition, Hicks got the attention he deserved for his play of the last three years. The number of double-teams he faced dropped as offenses had to account for Mack. In the last two seasons, Hicks wore down because of all the attention he faced.
Kyle Fuller played like a mad man. Just last season, many thought he’d be traded. He played well and got himself a new contract. He then went out and played even better. He led the league in interceptions. Also, he had 55 tackles and 21 passes defended.
After being shut out in Pro Bowl players last season, the Bears ended up with five Pro Bowl players, four of them on defense. In addition, they had four All-Pro First Team, three of them on defense.
This defense kept every game close. All the five games they lost went down to the final drive and four of them were by three points or less. The most they lost by was seven points, and that happened against the New England Patriots. The last play of the game was a Hail Mary that was caught two yards short of possibly tying the game.