Could the 2017 Chicago Bears lead the league in sacks?
Many question the Chicago Bears’ 2017 draft, but there is every indication they will take a huge step forward. The reason why the Bears improve may very well be an improved assault on opposing quarterbacks.
Last year the Bears were tied for 12th in the NFL with 37 sacks. Considering the egregious amount of injuries incurred, it’s an incredible number. There were 19 players on injured reserve in 2016. Many of those players were key contributors on defense. If health improves even slightly, there will be substantially more sacks in 2017.
Missing Games
Extrapolation is not an exact science, but it could be an indicator of how well the team will get after opposing QBs in 2017. The three major sack artists on the team last year were Willie Young (7.5), Akiem Hicks (7), and Leonard Floyd (7). Fourth and fifth on the team were guys who missed significant playing time, Pernell McPhee (4) and Eddie Goldman (2.5).
Simply extrapolating the sacks per game over the course of the games missed, the Bears get nearly 10 more sacks out of their top five. Even hedging the bet and calling it eight extra sacks puts the Bears into third place in the NFL.
Furthermore, just because players were in games doesn’t mean they were completely healthy. The top five sack artists on the Chicago Bears were listed as questionable or worse a staggering 34 times. Young, for instance, lived on the injury report with knee issues for most of the first half of the season. When the players most likely to hit opposing QBs are hindered for nearly half the season, some stats are sure to plummet.
A Missing Player
Out of the front seven players, only Lamarr Houston was out for essentially the entire 2016 season. He tore his knee after only two games. The previous year, however, Houston accounted for eight sacks for the Bears. In fact, he led the team in sacks, and along with Pernell McPhee, looked downright dominating at times.
If Houston stays on the team – there are rumors he may be cut – and doesn’t re-injure himself after one of his sacks, it’s safe to assume he should return to 2015 form. His career average, however, is roughly four sacks per season. If he only gets his average, that puts the Bears right at nearly 50 sacks, which would be tops in the league, not to mention downright scary.
Secondary Help
One other factor to consider is just how horrid the Chicago Bears’ secondary was last year. Many are confused by the misleading top-ten yards per game stat in 2016. The Bears were in the bottom half of the league in opposing completion percentage, yards per attempt, and passer rating. The passing defense stats would have been much worse, but the Bears were also one of the worst five rush defenses in the NFL. As a result, teams really didn’t have to pass as much.
Enter the free agent secondary makeover to save the day. Signing Prince Amukamara, Quintin Demps, and Marcus Cooper significantly upgrades the secondary, regardless of how much defensive coordinator Vic Fangio downplays their addition. Their addition should allow Fangio to unleash the hounds a bit more. Equally important, if the front seven hold up their end of the bargain, the back side could potentially create even more chances to hit the QB via coverage sacks.
Related Story: Look for the Bears to surprise in 2017
With any luck this season, the Chicago Bears might return as the Monsters of the Midway, and maybe, just maybe, they might start barking again.