The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL’s two original franchises, and over their 104-year history, they’ve built a legacy centered around dominant defense. From the legendary 1985 defense that powered their Super Bowl run to the hard-hitting units of the Lovie Smith era in the 2000s, the Bears have consistently earned their nickname: the “Monsters of the Midway.”
Out of 798 defenses in the PFSN’s Defense+ database, the Bears have landed seven units in the top 100 since the start of the 21st century, trailing only the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Here’s a look at Chicago’s ten best defensive performances of the modern era.
10) 2008 Bears
PFSN Defense+ Grade: 78.4 (C+)
The Bears improved upon their disappointing 2007 campaign in 2008, jumping from 7-9 to 9-7. They still missed out on the playoffs for the second year in a row, and while they tied for third in the league in interceptions, they didn’t end up in the top ten in team sacks.
Lance Briggs and Charles Tillman each notched three interceptions, but it was safety Kevin Payne who led the team with four. Despite a strong defensive showing — holding opponents under 13 points in four of their nine victories — a season-ending loss to the Houston Texans on the road kept the Bears from reaching double-digit wins.
9) 2019 Bears
PFSN Defense+ Grade: 79.3 (C+)
Following their tremendous 2018 season, expectations were high for the Bears in 2019. This rang especially true on the defensive side of the ball. They didn’t perform poorly, but they certainly didn’t live up to the hype, either.
They dropped from first in PFSN Defense+ in 2018 to tenth in 2019. Khalil Mack, Eddie Jackson, and Kyle Fuller were all Pro Bowlers, even though they missed the cut for either of the All-Pro teams. The Bears finished fourth in the league in yards allowed, though they didn’t finish in the top ten in sacks or interceptions. The team itself finished 8-8 and missed out on the playoffs.
8) 2011 Bears
PFSN Defense+ Grade: 82.0 (B-)
The Bears got off to a strong start in 2011 by jumping out to a 7-3 record. But their momentum came to a halt when Jay Cutler suffered a season-ending thumb injury. Without him, the offense struggled, and the team finished with a disappointing 8-8 record.
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The Bears didn’t have any defensive All-Pros this season, but Brian Urlacher, Briggs, and Tillman all ended the year as Pro Bowlers. They graded fifth in Defense+ and tied for sixth in interceptions.
7) 2004 Bears
PFSN Defense+ Grade: 84.4 (B)
The 2004 season marked the first time much of the Bears’ defensive foundation came together. That year’s draft brought future All-Pros Tommie Harris and Nathan Vasher into the fold, joining a promising young core that already included Urlacher, Briggs, Tillman, and Alex Brown.
Chicago finished sixth in the league in Defense+, even as Urlacher missed seven games due to injury. Briggs and Mike Green combined for 237 tackles, and the defense broke up a whopping 86 passes in coverage. The Bears ended up with a record of only 5-11 this year, but that’s a testament to how poorly their offense performed.
6) 2010 Bears
PFSN Defense+ Grade: 84.8 (B)
The Bears finished fourth in the league in Defense+ in 2010, grading at 84.8. Julius Peppers finished as a first-team All-Pro and ranked fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting in his first of four seasons in Chicago.
Chris Harris and Tillman had five interceptions each, with the former being a second-team All-Pro. As was typical for the Bears under Smith as head coach, both Urlacher and Briggs ended the year as Pro Bowlers. Their strong defensive performance led them to an NFC championship appearance.
5) 2012 Bears
PFSN Defense+ Grade: 87.6 (B+)
In what turned out to be Smith’s last season as the head coach in Chicago, the Bears stayed true to form by having one of the best defenses in the league. Their linebackers were predictably strong, but it was their defensive line and secondary that stole the show.
Peppers and Henry Melton anchored a fierce defensive front, both earning Pro Bowl honors, with Peppers also named an All-Pro. On the back end, cornerbacks Tim Jennings and Tillman were unstoppable. Jennings led the NFL with nine interceptions, while Tillman topped the league with three pick-sixes, earning both first-team All-Pro honors.
The Bears finished fifth in total yards allowed and led the league in Defense+ in 2012 — the cherry on top of what was a dominant unit.
4) 2018 Bears
PFSN Defense+ Grade: 88.7 (B+)
The fact that the 2018 Bears defense didn’t finish in the top three shows the dominance of their defenses over the years. They finished first in Defense+, third in yards allowed, third in sacks, and third in turnovers forced.
Mack delivered a dominant season, finishing as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. Fuller and Jackson earned first-team All-Pro honors, while Akiem Hicks represented the defensive line in the Pro Bowl.
With stars at every level, the Bears fielded a well-rounded defense capable of stuffing the run, pressuring quarterbacks, and creating turnovers at an elite rate.
3) 2001 Bears
PFSN Defense+ Grade: 89.4 (B+)
The Bears kicked off the 21st century on an incredibly high note, finishing with the second-best defense in the NFL. Most notably, it provided a promising sense of the team’s future. Both Urlacher and Brown were first-team All-Pros in their second season in the NFL, with Urlacher placing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Rosevelt Colvin led the team with 10.5 sacks, and Brown led the league with two pick-sixes. Fun fact: both of his interceptions for touchdowns came in consecutive weeks, and both were game-winning touchdowns in overtime. Talk about a crazy coincidence!
2) 2006 Bears
PFSN Defense+ Grade: 92.4 (A-)
As the franchise’s lone NFC champion of the 21st century, it’s no surprise the 2006 Bears earned an elite grade. Their 92.4 Defense+ score ranks 13th overall since 2001. The defense was anchored by returning Pro Bowlers Urlacher, Briggs, and defensive tackle Harris.
𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟔
Down 23-3 late in the third:
– Fumble Recovery TD
– Fumble Recovery TD
– Devin Hester Punt Return TDBears win 24-23 pic.twitter.com/le4vl3LFAh
— This Day in Chicago Sports (@ChiSportsDay) October 16, 2019
That season featured standout performances across the board: Tillman and Ricky Manning Jr. each recorded five interceptions, while Urlacher and Briggs combined for 276 total tackles. Fifth-round rookie Mark Anderson made an immediate impact, leading the team with 12 sacks. The unit finished third in the NFL, allowing just 15.9 points per game.
1) 2005 Bears
PFSN Defense+ Grade: 95.0 (A)
The 2006 team led the Bears to the Super Bowl, but their defense from the year before lands at the top of the list. With a 95.0 Defense+ grade, the 2005 Bears defense has the seventh-best defense in our database since the turn of the century.
The Bears had five defensive starters make the Pro Bowl. Urlacher won Defensive Player of the Year with 122 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, and six sacks. He and Briggs were first-team All-Pros at linebacker, and Briggs, Brown, and Vasher finished in the top ten for DPOY voting. As a unit, their 12.6 points per game allowed led the NFL.
