The Chicago Bears are a team driven by offensive identity these days. That comes from the nature of the two men leading the charge. Head coach Ben Johnson is an offensive wizard highly regarded in all NFL circles. Quarterback Caleb Williams is a natural playmaker capable of some insane feats. Having those two in town makes it easy for a defense to be overlooked. That was especially true last season when Dennis Allen’s unit wasn’t very good, outside of forcing turnovers, of course.
That has changed in a big way this season. Chicago is 6th in the league against the run this year, a massive improvement from 2025. However, that isn’t their darkest secret. The Bears are #1 in the NFL on 3rd down. Not just #1, mind you, but #1 by miles. Opponents are converting on 22.83% of their 3rd downs against the Bears this year. The next closest is Seattle at 30.58%. No team is better at getting off the field on the money downs than Chicago. It has truly been a sight to behold.
The Chicago Bears are in important territory.
Ask any coach worth their salt, and they’ll all say performance on 3rd down, offensively and defensively, often separates the great teams from everybody else. If you don’t believe it, just look at the numbers. Since 2009, nine of the eventual Super Bowl champions finished in the top 10 in 3rd down defense. Every team that didn’t had the same thing in common: a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback.
| Season | Super Bowl | Champion | Opp. 3rd-Down % | 3rd-Down Defense Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | XLIV | New Orleans Saints | 38.0% | 14th |
| 2010 | XLV | Green Bay Packers | 36.2% | 8th |
| 2011 | XLVI | New York Giants | 38.2% | 16th |
| 2012 | XLVII | Baltimore Ravens | 35.8% | 7th |
| 2013 | XLVIII | Seattle Seahawks | 35.2% | 9th |
| 2014 | XLIX | New England Patriots | 40.2% | 17th |
| 2015 | L | Denver Broncos | 35.2% | 7th |
| 2016 | LI | New England Patriots | 36.9% | 7th |
| 2017 | LII | Philadelphia Eagles | 32.2% | 3rd |
| 2018 | LIII | New England Patriots | 38.6% | 13th |
| 2019 | LIV | Kansas City Chiefs | 37.1% | 11th |
| 2020 | LV | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 40.0% | 12th |
| 2021 | LVI | Los Angeles Rams | 41.3% | 18th |
| 2022 | LVII | Kansas City Chiefs | 38.3% | 12th |
| 2023 | LVIII | Kansas City Chiefs | 37.1% | 10th |
| 2024 | LIX | Philadelphia Eagles | 35.5% | 3rd |
| 2025 | LX | Seattle Seahawks | 32.1% | 1st |
The 1985 team unsurprisingly ranked 1st in 3rd down defense. The 2006 team was 2nd. History says that the Chicago Bears don’t reach the championship game without being able to get off the field on 3rd down. Would it surprise you to learn that the only team in the last decade to finish in the top 10 in 3rd down stoppage was the 2018 Bears?
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If this trend holds, it will be pivotal in January.
Nothing is more difficult in the NFL playoffs than getting off the field on 3rd down. Quarterbacks are so good. What Dennis Allen has accomplished this season should be more widely acknowledged. Don’t forget he’s done this mostly without the presence of Jeffery Simmons or Coby Bryant. He already has one in the mix now, and the other is due back next month. This defense is playing some good football, and it isn’t even at full strength yet. This is why excitement should be even higher than it is.
Everybody is always focused on the big plays: sacks, forced fumbles, and interceptions. They rarely point out the good tackles, tight coverage, and discipline that go into forcing these punts or field goal attempts. Make no mistake. The people inside Halas Hall recognize its importance. That is why Allen and his staff emphasize it every day. Turnovers and 3rd down. If you win there, you win on the scoreboard.
