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Chicago Bears Statistical Breakdown: defensive line

By Parker Hurley

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Akiem Hicks #96 of the Chicago Bears on the sidelines during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Bears 20-12. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Akiem Hicks #96 of the Chicago Bears on the sidelines during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Bears 20-12. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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How did the Chicago Bears fare on the defensive line statistically in 2017?

The Chicago Bears defensive front is one of the best in the NFL. However, it did not get recognized as such, and a good record did not reflect. Of course, being in a 3-4, their stars are more specialized in pushing movement towards their linebackers to make plays than they are making the plays themselves. Still, the Chicago Bears have defensive playmakers.

Akiem Hicks put up 8.5 sacks. Amongst all defensive players he finished 25th. However, amongst defensive ends in a 3-4 base defense, he was second, behind Cameron Heyward. Hicks also put up 54 tackles.

Eddie Goldman added in 1.5 sacks and 44 tackles. He is a nose tackle who is not going to get much notoriety, but was one of the best at his job in the NFL. He played in 609 snaps, just over 57% of the teams overall snaps. Hicks led the way for defensive lineman with 85% of the snaps played.

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This means that Goldman plays a lot of nickel. It also means the team rotates a variety of players next to Hicks. Jonathan Bullard played 438 snaps, 41%. He finished with one sack and 21 tackles. Mitch Unrein was right behind him with 37% of the playing time, seeing 389 snaps. He added 1.5 sacks and 31 tackles.

Roy Robertson-Harris played 20% of the snaps, 212 snaps. However, he finished with two sacks to go with 12 tackles. John Jenkins also put in 109 snaps to equal 10% of the playing time on the line. That closes up the Chicago Bears defensive line team statistics.

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