NEWSLETTER
Even after a dreadful performance against the Miami Dolphins, it’s still easy to feel good about the Chicago Bears — particularly, when it comes to what was a highly touted defense before Week 6.
Pro Football Focus ranked the NFL’s pass-rushes entering Week 7, and the metrics still view the Bears in a positive light. Heck, that’s actually an understatement:
Ranking every pass-rush unit in the NFL.
⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ https://t.co/p6oQGzhWds pic.twitter.com/XMDP8a6eXt
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) October 17, 2018
The Bears pass-rush ranks as the third best in football, behind only the Eagles and Rams. That’s good company to be in, especially when it’s easy to feel down after the Bears’ Week 6 performance.
Khalil Mack registered one of his worst games as a pro against Miami (a hurt ankle will do that), but still checks in as the team’s highest-grades pass-rusher. As a team, Chicago’s pressure percentage (33%) is tied for 16th. But when the team brings the heat, the Bears defense ranks second in pressure percentage when blitzing (74.3%). It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the Bears are as good as they are when blitzing, because having to account for their talented front seven – and possible unexpected free rushers from the secondary – makes them tough to plan against.
But here’s the thing about the Bears and the blitz — they don’t do it often:
These defenses like to BRING THE HEAT!
Also: Get ready to see some blitzing tonight in the #DENvsAZ game…#BeRedSeeRed #Browns #RavensFlock #TitanUp #Jets #HereWeGo #BroncosCountry #Colts #ChiefsKingdom #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/Kkc11OYOcV
— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) October 18, 2018
That Vic Fangio’s squad excels in pressuring quarterbacks while not having to bring the blitz is a testament to the skills their players and the scheme that’s in place.
