Chicago Bears: 3 keys for defense’s success in 2018
3. Catch the ball!
After two years of languishing near the bottom of the league in takeaways, the Chicago Bears put up a very solid 22 turnovers in 2017 (14th in the NFL). In fact, they even led the league in fumbles recovered with 14.
That’s excellent until you remember the flip side of that number: they only had eight interceptions on the year.
Not great. As a matter of fact, that tied for 29th in the league.
Unfortunately, this continues a recurring problem for the Bears defense. In each of the past two seasons, the Bears have mustered just eight interceptions each on 68 and 65 passes defensed, respectively.
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Fuller, who tied for third in the league with 22 pass breakups, managed just two interceptions. Amukamara had no interceptions on seven passes broken up. Amos had one pick on a tipped ball from Fuller but only got his hands on three footballs all season.
Meanwhile, Eddie Jackson and Bryce Callahan posted two picks each on just six passes defensed, making the most of their opportunities.
All told, the Bears mustered a 28th-ranked 1.5% interception percentage on opposing dropbacks. Forced fumbles are wonderful and opportunistic, but this team really needs to come down with some footballs in the air. Hopefully, a more experienced Jackson and a motivated Fuller will help in that regard.
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If not, the Chicago Bears defense will always be just a step away from being great. You can’t let chances to take the ball away from your opponents slip through your fingers or bounce off your hands, proverbially or literally.
Hopefully, this coverage-oriented linebacker group and a solid, improving defensive back room can turn that trend around. If they do, this will be the most dangerous Bears defense we’ve seen this side of 2012.