2023 Season

Bears by the Numbers: Here’s how Chicago measures up after 2 games

The Chicago Bears are off to a slow start in 2023, and the statistics through two games prove it. Here’s where the Bears rank entering Week 3

Published

2 years ago

September 20, 2023

Bryan Perez

Bears by the Numbers: Here's how Chicago measures up after 2 games (2023 Season)

There are several reasons why an NFL team can start a season 0-2. Maybe it’s poor play, maybe it’s injuries, or perhaps it’s just bad luck.

The reason for the Chicago Bears’ slow start is pretty clear: poor play.

The Bears have been ineffective on offense. Their defense has been a pushover. And the numbers prove it.

Chicago ranks 25th in passing yards per game (179) through two weeks and 22nd in rushing yards per game (94.5). They’re averaging 18.5 points per game, which ranks 22nd as well.

The Bears have surrendered 10 sacks, a number that’s the fourth-most in the NFL entering Week 3.

It’s early, but the offense is bad.

The Chicago Bears’ defense is even worse.

Check out these horrendous rankings after two games:

Points allowed: 31st (32.5 points per game)
Passing yards allowed: 27th (277 yards per game)
Passing TDs allowed: 25th (4)
Sacks: 30th (1)
INTs: 28th (0)

The Bears have just one sack and zero turnovers so far this season. They don’t rank higher than 15th in any major defensive category.

Matt Eberflus called plays on defense for the Chicago Bears against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, and while Chicago was slightly more aggressive in their approach to attacking the quarterback, the results were similar to defensive coordinator Allan Williams’: Poor.

There’s been no word about when Williams will return to Halas Hall, so it’s Eberflus’ job to fix the defense. He came to the Bears as a defensive-minded coach, so if anyone can (and should) fix it, it’s him.

Unfortunately for Chicago, their next opponent — the Kansas City Chiefs — won’t offer a get-right game on either side of the ball.

Patrick Mahomes? Yeah, he’s a problem.

Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones? Yeah, he’s a problem, too.

It’s dangerous to rely solely on stats to form an opinion about a team, but in the case of the 2023 Chicago Bears, they’re spot on right now. This team isn’t very good, and the numbers prove it.