After giving up 37 points and 478 yards to the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, the Chicago Bears’ defense has made a complete turnaround in the last three weeks.
The Bears have allowed 22 points and 651 total yards in their last three games. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's unit is starting to play as a complete unit and the entire team is feeling the benefits of the improved play.
Now, plenty of credit goes to the Bears’ defensive turnaround. Here are three stats that illustrate why Allen's unit is among the best in the league right now.
Third Down Defense
When it comes to third-down defense, the Bears are the No. 2 team in the NFL, according to Radar360. Chicago is allowing opposing offenses to convert 23.7% on third down. Only the Minnesota Vikings are better this season, allowing 22.6% on third down.
The Bears held the New York Jets to 0-for-7 on third down last week. Against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, Chicago limited the Eagles’ offense to 2-of-9 on third down.
Allen's unit has found ways to get off the field, limiting opportunities for opponents.
Limiting Explosives
NFL offenses, especially head coach Ben Johnson's, are always looking for ways to create explosive plays. Those would be runs of 10 yards or more and passes of 20 yards or more. Creating explosive plays allows an offense to move the ball downfield faster, limits self-inflicted mistakes, and limits them throughout the game.
Last season, the Bears allowed the fifth-most explosive plays last season (120).
According to Radar360, the Bears have allowed 19 explosive plays through the first four games – tied for the 25th-fewest in the league. Allen's defense is forcing offenses to drive the length of the field to get downfield.
Points Allowed
In the first year of Allen's defense in 2025, several areas ranked near the bottom of the league. The Bears allowed 415 points, the 10th-most in the league. Through the first four games last season, Chicago gave up 117 points.
Even after allowing 37 points in Week 1 against the Panthers, Allen's defense has made it difficult for teams to score. The Bears have allowed just 65 points through the first four games, the fourth-best in the NFL.
Read more: Bears' Dillon Thieneman has quickly surpassed all rookies in 2026 NFL draft class
Chicago's defense has turned it around, and Allen's unit has been a big reason the team has won back-to-back games at Soldier Field. The Bears will have to prove the defense can travel, and they'll get the chance to show that in Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
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