Chicago Bears: Five pleasant surprises at halfway point
The Chicago Bears have reached the halfway point of the 2018 season. What have been some of the best surprises of the year so far?
With a big division stretch coming the Chicago Bears sit right at the halfway point of the season. Having a first-year coach a young quarterback has shown this team to go through some ups and downs and bumps in the road. However, overall, they have managed a 5-3 record.
Through eight games of the regular season, what have been some of the more memorable surprises of the year?
Kyle Fuller Interceptions
We all know the story of Kyle Fuller and how he earned his extension in 2017. Even the optimists had to come into 2018 wondering how Fuller would respond after his first strong season after a few setbacks. After losing to Aaron Rodgers in comeback fashion, some were quick to write Fuller off with his new contract. However, since then he has played reasonably well.
One thing that has stood out with Fuller in 2018 compared to other years is his ball skills. Fuller has always been a physical corner who is strong at tackling and playing the man. However, he has never had excellent ball skills.
This showed when Aaron Rodgers dropped a bomb or two on him, and it has shown with eight interceptions over three seasons. That includes a career high of four, and four combined from 2015 to 2016. So, with four interceptions in his rookie season being his career, seeing four interceptions by Fuller at the halfway point has to be a pleasant surprise. He is on pace to match his three-season total this year.
It is not like Fuller is just getting lucky either. Teams are testing him, and he is showing up to play. Heck, he broke up the pass that turned into a Leonard Floyd interception against the Bills. Fuller has been attacking the ball relentlessly like he never has and it has shown up on the stat sheet.
Fuller got off to a slow start but is blazing right now. He ranks fourth amongst Pro Football Focus top cornerbacks and is putting together a career year, the first year after a new contract. That is comforting to see.