Bears' dominant defense is key to beating Commanders, making playoff push
When the Bears’ defense talked in training camp about being one of the NFL’s top five this season, it was hard to buy all the way into that idea. That side of the ball looked strong, but it didn’t seem fully built.
But heading into their game Sunday at the Commanders, it looks like they’re right and the skeptics were too caught up in what they lacked rather than what they had. The Bears have allowed just 16.8 points per game, which ranks fourth, and are near the top in most categories other than against the run.
“We’re definitely on track to have a great D,” defensive end Montez Sweat said. “We could do a lot better in our run defense, but we’re on track to achieve all of those goals for sure.”
As quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense try to establish legitimacy, the defense is playoff-ready. In the last 10 seasons, 78% of teams that were top-five in fewest points allowed made the playoffs. Eight of the top 10 made it last season.
The details of the Bears’ dominance are even more encouraging, and coach Matt Eberflus has delivered on one of the promises he made when he took this job. Even with some upgrades likely still on hold until the upcoming offseason, the defense is every quarterback’s nightmare: Versatile, aggressive, dangerous.
The basics like yards allowed (they’re fifth in the NFL at 292 per game) and opponent scoring provide the broad strokes.
Looking deeper, the Bears lead the NFL in opponent passer rating at 72.8, are second in touchdown passes allowed with four and are seventh in pressure rate at 27% of pass plays. They’re also third in takeaways (13) and seventh in third-down defense (allowing conversions 32.1% of the time).
No offense has managed more than 21 points against them and no opposing quarterback — including C.J. Stroud and Matt Stafford — has registered a passer rating of 95 or higher.
The Bears have been able to maintain that even with three starting defensive backs hurt. Cornerback Jaylon Jones started in place of Tyrique Stevenson last game, Elijah Hicks stepped in for safety Jaquan Brisker and nickel Josh Blackwell replaced Kyler Gordon mid-game. Gordon (hamstring) and Brisker (concussion) are out Sunday, and Stevenson is likely to return.
The issues in the run defense are unsolved, as Sweat noted, and the Bears are giving up 4.6 yards per carry.
The Commanders could be their biggest test, although coach Dan Quinn couldn’t say Friday whether he planned to start electric rookie Jayden Daniels or veteran backup Marcus Mariota. Daniels has spearheaded an offense that is tied for the league lead in scoring at 31.1 points per game and he’s sixth in passer rating at 107.0, but is questionable because of a rib injury.
Mariota, meanwhile, hasn’t been a full-time starter since playing for the Falcons in 2022 — when he posted a 100.2 passer rating in a win over the Bears. When took over for Daniels last week against the Panthers, he completed 78.3% of his passes, threw for two touchdowns and finished with a 138.2 passer rating and a 40-7 victory.
While Mariota doesn’t have Daniels’ talent, Eberflus mentioned “the experience factor” as a potential concern. Mariota is in his 10th season and is coming up on 5,000 career snaps, and quarterbacks who have played that extensively usually cash in on any defensive lapses.
The Commanders are third in yards rushing per game (165.4) and per carry (5.2), though Daniels accounts for much of that as their second-leading rusher. Nonetheless, they have talented running backs in Brian Robinson (4.7 yards per carry) and Austin Ekeler (5.9).
It’s a significant challenge no matter who plays quarterback for the Commanders, but the Bears seem ready for it. They have talent at every level and quality depth. As it has all season, the defense is equipped to give the offense some margin.