Chicago Bears: Playoffs will determine how special this defense is

The 2018 Chicago Bears defense completed one of the best seasons that side of the ball has ever had in franchise history, which is saying a lot.

They collected 50 sacks on the year, the most a Bears defense has had in decades. Together with 27 interceptions and 18 forced fumbles, they’ve given opponents all sorts of problems all year long. Some are ready to place them among the best defenses in franchise history. It’s a fun thing to think about, but also way too premature.

There is still a trial period remaining before this group can even warrant such consideration. The Bears have had a lot of great defenses, but the greatest of all have the same thing in common. They carried their greatness into the postseason. Just have a look at the long history of top units they’ve fielded and how different they are from each other.

Chicago Bears defenses have defined themselves in playoffs

This franchise has had many great defenses in the past. In fact, since 1960 they’ve had six units finish the season out ranked #1 in points allowed for that year. All of them were great, but only two have proven to be special because they were able to complete the mission of winning a championship.

1963

This might be called the forgotten defense of Bears lore. People are so fixated on the units of the 1980s but the truth is this one in 1963 may have been the best ever. Why? They had more talent front to back. You had Doug Atkins defensive end and Bill George at middle linebacker. Both are Hall of Famers.

Then there was Joe Fortunato at outside linebacker, an All-Pro. Finally, there were Richie Petitbon and Rosey Taylor at safety, both All-Pros as well. This defense allowed just 144 points and held the New York Giants, the #1 offense in football to 10 points in the NFL championship game.

1986

It was the defense that gave up the fewest points in the history of the Super Bowl era at the time at 187. They had 62 sacks that year and forced 59 turnovers. However, something just wasn’t quite the same. Buddy Ryan was gone and with him the clever scheming and swagger-filled style he coached with.

Sure enough, the defense was undressed in the playoff opener, allowing the Redskins to score 27 points in a huge upset. It remains one of the biggest disappointments in Bears history.

1985

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The most fabled defense of them all. It was a unit that struck fear into opponents like few others ever have. They delivered 64 sacked, 61 turnovers, and allowed just three points during a three-game stretch during the season. Then they cemented their place in history with back-to-back shutouts divisional round and NFC championship before steamrolling the Patriots in the Super Bowl with seven sacks and six turnovers.

2005

People aren’t going to remember the Brian Urlacher era for the greatest defenses ever. That’s a shame because they had some truly good ones but the problem is those units always seemed to come up short in the playoffs. None was more of a disappointment than the 2005 incarnation. They had it all: fewest points allowed, 52 turnovers, and 41 sacks. They were loaded.

Then in the opener, they embarrassed themselves by letting wide receiver Steve Smith go for 218 yards and two touchdowns. Carolina put up 29 points on them, this after the Bears had held them to three in their previous meeting.

2001

This was the defense that helped launch the most unlikely turnaround in NFL history. Thanks to two huge pick-six touchdowns in back-to-back overtimes, the 2001 Bears defense paved the way to a 13-3 season during which they allowed just 203 points scored. It was one of the wildest and most enjoyable years to ever watch.

Unfortunately, that defense was never truly dominant. They had weak spots, particularly against the pass. Opposing QBs had at least 250 yards through the air on them five times that year including the playoff loss at Soldier Field to Philadelphia.

1988

The last of the great 1980s Bears defenses. It allowed just 215 points that year, which is really good. However, they were a mere shadow of themselves at that point. They had just 43 sacks and 50 turnovers, which was far reduced from what they’d accomplished in ’85 and ’86. Sadly they couldn’t turn it up a notch when needed.

San Francisco picked them apart in the NFC championship, scoring 28 points and added to the humiliation by posting 138 yards on their #1 ranked run defense.

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