Bears defense overrated?

[CowboyWay]

I looked at the last 7 games for both the cowboys and the bears, and found some interesting stats.

Last 7 games the bears have given up 114 points

Last 7 games the boys have given up 126 points.

In that period the bears gave up
13 to Minny
17 to New England
0 to the Jets
20 to the Giants
31 to Miami
10 to San Fran
23 to Arizona

Total of 114 points

In the same time period, Dallas gave up

20 to the Giants (same as the bears)
10 to Tampa
14 to Indy
10 to Arizona (13 less than the bears gave up)
22 to Washington
14 to Carolina
36 to the Giants (a total meltdown on our part)

Total of 126 points.

Basically we gave up a total of 12 more points in 7 games. No big deal.

But looking at how many total points for the year both teams have given up it looks like this.....

Bears gave up 150 points in 12 weeks
Boys gave up 216 points in 12 weeks

66 points in 12 games difference, or about 5.5 per game. That's a significant difference. But when you factor in the teams in the respective divisions, it gets interesting

NFC North (minus the bears offense) has scored 646 points so far this year
NFC East (minus the boys offense) has scored 772 points so far this year

The evidence supports the theory that the NFC North sucks, and the bears defense is not as great as people might believe because of the level of competition they have faced.

 

[khiladi]

There are some other factors at play:

14 pts off the top of my head were given up by Dallas on returns for touchdowns after interceptions... Philly had one, and the Giants had one...

Plus, the Bears have to compensate for poor field positioning as a result of crappy throws by Rex Grossman...

 

[Gordon]

They've also forced 13 more turnovers and given up 9 less TDs. In addition, they're giving up 6 less points per game. Sure there schedule is pretty easy, but their defense is second to none. There's a reason they're 10-2, and it's certainly not their offense.

 

[TEK2000]

Rex Grossman is doing everything he can to bring that defense down.

I can only hope that he's on his current pitiful trend when we face them.

 

[CowboyWay]

I'm certainly not suggesting they are a slouch. They are very good. But I think that because of the division they play in, they are overated.

Also, as far as grossman goes, he's had several stellar games as well, which helped the defense, as much as his last few games have hurt them.

 

[Doomsday101]

Nothing over rated about the Bears defense. They are a hard hitting attacking defense who has to overcome their poor offense.

 

[Gordon]

I'm certainly not suggesting they are a slouch. They are very good. But I think that because of the division they play in, they are overated.

Also, as far as grossman goes, he's had several stellar games as well, which helped the defense, as much as his last few games have hurt them.

Well, that's where your sample size comes into play. Over that 7 game stretch is when Grossman has been at his worst (something like 24 turnovers?) and that can't be helping their field position. I don't get to watch many Bears games but I did watch NYG/CHI and I remember Mathias Kiwanuka getting an INT that he either took in for a TD or brought inside the 5 yard line.

EDIT - Miami's TDs came from a defensive TD, a drive started on the Bears 6 yd line, a drive started on the Bears 12 yd line, and a drive started on the Bears 24 yd line.

Also, just looked it up and Kiawanuka's INT went down to the 1 and it was run in by Jacobs on the next play. In addition, the 2 Giants FGs were on a 3 yd drive and a 9 yd drive so the Giants had some nice field position.

 

[ghst187]

I think the Bears are the best D in the NFL, but I think they are pretty far from unbeatable. And they may get lulled into sleep because of the crummy schedule they've played.
Without Tommy Harris, their DL is all of a sudden a bit mortal.
Their secondary can be beaten, but you HAVE to hang on to the ball.
One of the most impressive thing about the Bears is the way they FORCE turnovers. They really strip the ball well.

 

[cowboys#1]

i think the bears defense is the best....HELLO!!! they are 10-2 with rex grossman........DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE.....

 

[L-O-Jete]

They've also forced 13 more turnovers and given up 9 less TDs. In addition, they're giving up 6 less points per game. Sure there schedule is pretty easy, but their defense is second to none. There's a reason they're 10-2, and it's certainly not their offense.

Baltimore's isn't too shabby either...

 

[Doomsday101]

I think the Bears are the best D in the NFL, but I think they are pretty far from unbeatable. And they may get lulled into sleep because of the crummy schedule they've played.
Without Tommy Harris, their DL is all of a sudden a bit mortal.
Their secondary can be beaten, but you HAVE to hang on to the ball.
One of the most impressive thing about the Bears is the way they FORCE turnovers. They really strip the ball well.

I agree they are beatalbe, their D has one weakness and that is aginst the run. They give up over a 105 yards a game and have given up runs of over 20yards 12 times which is the highest in the NFL.

 

[smarta5150]

Not even a question in my eyes. The answer is NO. They are a takeaway machine and score TDs from the defensive side all the time.

Not to mention they are 10-2 w. Rex (which was said). If tthey had a bus drive QB who can control the game teams wouldnt score against the Bears.

I personally think our offense can put up 21+ on this team.

 

[baj1dallas]

If you want to convince yourself they're overrated, go ahead. The only way to know how good they really are is to watch them play a good team. Neither the defense nor the captain is overrated imo.

 

[ZeroClub]

Without Tommy Harris, their DL is all of a sudden a bit mortal.

Very true.

 

[Future]

There are some other factors at play:

14 pts off the top of my head were given up by Dallas on returns for touchdowns after interceptions... Philly had one, and the Giants had one...

add 7 from a KR and 4 from safeties

 

[Aikbach]

The Bears have an incredible return man and defense matched with an incredible schedule that has pitted their strengths against teams that could not exploit their weaknesses. In the playoffs they will fall but they look good getting there. They remind me of the 1995 Chiefs. Leagues best record, homefield, fell to the 9-7 Colts in the Divisional Playoffs. I see the Saints offing them.

 

[Future]

The Bears have an incredible return man and defense matched with an incredible schedule that has pitted their strengths against teams that could not exploit their weaknesses. In the playoffs they will fall but they look good getting there. They remind me of the 1995 Chiefs. Leagues best record, homefield, fell to the 9-7 Colts in the Divisional Playoffs. I see the Saints offing them.

What weaknesses do you see in that defense.

The thing that makes them great is that no matter where you look they have quality players.

 

[Aikbach]

What weaknesses do you see in that defense.

The thing that makes them great is that no matter where you look they have quality players.

I was refering to their ineptness on offense. If they can't score and you can force turnovers good teams will finish them off like the Patriots did. However bad teams like the Cardinals and Vikings will make just as many mistakes to allow for special teams and defensive scores to turn the tide.

 

[Bryan8284]

Their defense has been getting attacked by the running game lately, but it doesn't help that the offense has fallen apart and thus the defense is on the field more.

You have to win the TOP battle on them by at least 35-25 margin and run strong to win.

That offense is a quick strike team it seems, which hurts the defense by making them play more thus wearing them down, just so happens the offense is putrid lately so their defense is just playing more.

If they control the clock or even split it, they win I imagine.

 

[Future]

I was refering to their ineptness on offense. If they can't score and you can force turnovers good teams will finish them off like the Patriots did. However bad teams like the Cardinals and Vikings will make just as many mistakes to allow for special teams and defensive scores to turn the tide.

Oh, misunderstood. I agree with this though.