Head coach Ben Johnson has had his work cut out for him since joining the Bears prior to the 2025 season, and the culture change couldn't be more evident. For a team that's crawled its way back from the bottom of the league, the Bears' hard work and determination are places where they have found their identity.
The Bears' staggering ability to win the turnover battle has enabled them to capitalize on their own defensive prowess, and the Bears' offense has responded. This is just one of the six pillars that hold this team up, and looking deeper into the rest tells a shocking (yet predictable) tale.
The Six Pillars
1. 30+ Rushing Attempts
The Bears currently rank second in the NFL in rushing offense. Johnson needs to use the rushing talent to his advantage more than he already has. The Bears haven't lost a single game this season when rushing the ball over thirty times.
2. 11+ Offensive Drives
Sustaining offensive drives proved challenging for the Bears last season, but 2025 seems to have turned a new leaf. At present, Johnson's offense is averaging 11.3 drives per game, a stat that's helped the win column grow. Maintaining possession of the ball and preventing the opponent's offense from taking the field is essential to a winning formula.
3. Sack Differential
This one is going to be difficult for the rest of the season, with the Bears' defense missing so many starters. On the season, the Bears have a +6 sack differential, but this is more important on a game-by-game basis. Quarterback Caleb Williams has been excellent at extending plays, and his ability to avoid sacks has shown improvement since 2024.
4. Yards Per Play
Though the Bears have lost this battle only five times this season, they could use significant improvement. Chicago's offense has averaged 5.73 yards per play on the season, while opponents have averaged 6.07 yards per play. Limiting explosive plays on defense is a task assigned to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Meanwhile, Williams and the offense are tasked with creating more energy on the field to raise the average.
5. Red Zone Efficiency
Chicago needs genuine improvement in this category, having only won in three games this season. The Bears are averaging 62.1% when in the red zone, while opponents are averaging 66.8%. Finding the end zone is essential to maximizing the outcome of sustained drives, and this percentage helps explain why Chicago tends to be battling from behind in the fourth quarter.
6. Turnover Battle
Allen's defense has been at the top of the league in this category almost from the beginning. The Bears currently hold a +16 turnover differential, the best in the league by four turnovers. Chicago has been outstanding in this regard, losing the turnover battle only once this season, against the Lions in Week 2.
The results of this season are exceedingly predictable when viewed through this lens. On the three occasions the Bears have lost this season, three or more of these pillars broke down. The Bears average 3.8 pillars standing per win. But when the Bears lose, they're only averaging 1.3 pillars.
When the Bears faced the Raiders and the Commanders alike, they met the criteria for only two pillars, yet still won the game. These games make a strong case that the Raiders and Commanders lost more than the Bears won.
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With six games left in the regular season, the Bears face several difficult defenses in the near future. Bears fans have rallied behind the team, and confidence in the Bears is growing. If the Bears can keep more pillars standing than falling, the rest of the season will take care of itself.