Chicago Bears Stats: Unique numbers prove Bears among the elite

1. The Chicago Bears are limiting points per play

One thing Bears fans are used to seeing from many defenses in years past is a “bend, don’t break” type of game plan. So far this season, that’s been the case. Chicago has allowed the 12th-fewest yards thus far, which isn’t a bad number at all. However, their points per play allowance is even more impressive.

The Chicago Bears are seventh in the NFL in fewest points per play allowed at 0.32.

This is a significant number because, despite the fact that it may feel like the Bears have given up some chunk yardage here and there, the defense plays best when it matters most.

The Lions game is a perfect example of this. Detroit got themselves down into the red zone four specific times in that game and ended with zero points. Whether it be a turnover on downs or the Bears taking the ball away, they have come up big during those tougher areas on the field.

Against the Raiders last week, the Bears held Las Vegas to just one out of three fourth down conversions. Those two fourth-down stops may as well count as a true takeaway, because the Bears obviously took over possession.

On the season, Chicago has only allowed opposing offenses to convert on four of 11 total fourth down attempts. Count that as an additional seven takeaways for the defense, essentially.

Chicago’s defense has bent at times this season, but has rarely been broken.