The Chicago Bears have started the season with an impressive 4-2 record under Head Coach Matt Eberflus and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. To sustain their playoff hopes and establish themselves as true contenders, they’ll need to prove that they can win on the road. Eberflus has a 3-16 record on the road, and it’s vital they start winning away games. This week, the Bears have a significant opportunity to demonstrate their resilience as they face a strong 5-2 Washington Commanders team. There’s a lot to be excited about as a Bears fan, and there are some things the team needs to work on. That said, here are some statistics to follow for the Bears’ success going forward.
(All statistics courtesy of Jon Gruden’s “Gruden Loves Football” YouTube Channel)
Statistics to Follow for the Bears’ Success Going Forward
Bears Defense – The Good
For starters, Jon Gruden ranked the Bears’ defense No. 1 in terms of “effort defense” in the NFL. Give credit where credit is due, Eberflus has completely turned around this young defense into guys who are committed to finishing every single play, and it’s clearly making an impact. The Bears currently lead the league by allowing the lowest average quarterback rating of 72. One example of just how good the defense is against opposing quarterbacks is during Week 4’s win against the Los Angeles Rams. Matthew Stafford, who’s known as an elite redzone quarterback, was limited to just three completions for seven yards inside the redzone. The same Matthew Stafford who shredded the Minnesota Vikings’ defense.
The Bears’ defense also ranks 4th in scoring defense and 5th in total defense, contributing to their NFL-best streak of allowing 21 or fewer points in 12 consecutive games. What sets them apart from other elite defenses is their ability to make adjustments. This adaptability has led to the Bears allowing only 7.5 points per game in the second half, a major reason why they are 4-2.
Bears Defense – The Bad
There’s only one major aspect of the Bears’ defense that needs improvement, and that’s the run defense. The Bears went from 1st in run defense last season to 11th. The personnel didn’t change a whole lot, so what’s the problem? It’s the fact that the Bears have given up huge runs. Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard broke off a 26-yard run TD in the first quarter, and Carolina Panthers running back Chubba Hubbard also broke off a 38-yard run in the first to give the Panthers the lead. To tighten up, the Bears need to stay disciplined with their gap assignments and avoid overcommitting.
Bears Offense – The Good
The Bears offense has really begun to pick things up over the past couple of weeks, thanks in large part to the development of Caleb Williams. He’s completed 65.3% of his passes, throwing for 1,317 yards and nine touchdowns. Jon Gruden highlighted Williams’ growth, noting his accuracy, arm strength, confidence, ball placement, eye movement, and sneaky athleticism as driving factors in his success. But Williams isn’t the only offensive player stepping up.
In the last three games, the Bears have rushed for 128 yards or more. Thanks in large part to the emergence of featured running back D’Andre Swift and the offensive line. Swift has racked up 91 carries for 325 yards and 19 catches, averaging 10 yards per catch, making him a versatile force in the backfield. With a stronger run game and offensive line support, Williams has been able to spread the ball effectively: Bears running backs have 25 catches, wide receivers have 63, and tight ends have 31. Tight end Cole Kmet, in particular, is having a breakout season, ranking third in the league with 289 receiving yards and excelling in yards after the catch. The next step for this Bears’ offense is to keep up this performance against tougher teams.
Bears Offense – The Bad
The Bears do not get off to a hot start and are one of the worst 1st quarter teams in the NFL in terms of 1st half points per game, ranking 31st with only 1.7 points. To put that into perspective, the Bears have only scored 10 points in the first quarter this season. To compete in upcoming divisional matchups, it’s essential for the Bears to start strong and secure an early lead, as they tend to struggle when playing from behind.
For Caleb Williams, Jon Gruden pointed out some things he needs to work on. First is ball security—Williams has a tendency to try to make plays under pressure, which has led to costly mistakes. Gruden also suggested he could benefit from extending his dropbacks, creating more space from the line to avoid hits and better preserve his health over the long term. Additionally, Williams’ deep ball accuracy, which was a strength in college, hasn’t fully translated to the NFL yet. Once he improves in these areas, he has the potential to become a true superstar quarterback.
Main Image: Peter Van Den Berg – USA Today Sports
