Chicago Bears: How has Vic Fangio fared against Russell Wilson?

Vic Fangio and Russell Wilson have a history against one another. How has the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator fared against Russell Wilson?

Coming from the San Fransisco 49ers, Vic Fangio has faced Russell Wilson a few times in his career. Including one game as defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears, Fangio has faced Wilson seven times in his career to date.

While Wilson has a 5-2 record against the Fangio defense, a lot of that had to do with factors outside of Fangio vs. Wilson. Overall, Fangio has typically held his ground against the dynamic quarterback.

Chicago Bears

When looking at Wilson’s career splits against Fangio, it seems fair to separate his time in San Fransisco and his time in Chicago. That was his first season in Chicago. None of the players were his, and he was attempting a scheme change with misfits. Still, it was not like Wilson blew him away.

Wilson was 20-30, hitting 66% of his passes. He put up 235 yards at 7.8 yards per attempt, throwing one touchdown and zero interceptions. Vic Fangio’s defense sacked Wilson four times, but Seattle put up 26 points and won the game.

San Fransisco

He had a bit of a better go in San Fransisco, though. It is likely because of the talent disparities, and continuity in the scheme. It could be argued that Fangio’s success in San Fransisco would be more predictable than Chicago due to how similar Chicago’s defense now looks to the old San Fransisco defense. I am sure you have heard the Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack, Justin Smith, Aldon Smith comparisons.

Nonetheless, it was a defense that did do a better job at containing Wilson. First, Seattle averaged 21 points per game in those meetings. In six games he was a 55% passer. He has a 65 completion percentage for his career. He averaged 7.7 yards per attempt, right about on his career mark and his performance against Chicago in 2015.

However, in his six games with San Fransisco, Fangio has allowed eight touchdowns to five interceptions, a 1.6 TD: INT ratio. Wilsons career mark in that regard is 2.8.

Wilson averaged 173 passing yards per game while quarterbacking against a Fangio led 49ers defense. This is a player who averages 231 yards per game for his career. Now we see some severe effects.

One of the biggest reasons in which Fangio has had his success would be his ability to demobilize Russell Wilson. Fangio has 18 sacks in his six games with San Fransisco against Wilson. That includes games of five, four and four. Add in four sacks while coordinating with the Bears, and he has been able to contain him.

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When facing a Fangio defense, Wilson has an 8.4% sack rate, a slight uptick from his 8.1 career percentage.

This also catches up to Wilson regarding running the football. Wilson averages 22 yards per game against the Fangio defense. Wilson got away for 28 yards against Chicago. However, both are below his career average which is 33 rushing yards per game. He has never let Russell Wilson run for a touchdown in seven meetings.

Conclusion

It feels like a good matchup for Vic Fangio. As mentioned, this should be one of his better defensive units on paper. When you add that to the fact that Fangio has shown success in his ability to keep Wilson out of the end zone, keep him contained in the pocket and sack him, you have to like his chances this weekend is once again holding Wilson to numbers below his career averages.

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