The Chicago Bears Are An Absolute Juggernaut

​Trading for arguably the best defensive lineman in the NFL with Simmons, everyone knew he would deliver a boost to Chicago’s defense. But his impact on the Bears’ defense was even greater off the rip than anticipated.

It was quite noticeable the difference in Chicago’s defense when Simmons was on the field vs. when he was off it. This is evident, as according to Next Gen Stats, with Jeffery Simmons on the field, the Seahawks averaged three yards per play.

​But when Simmons was off the field, Seattle averaged 13.3 yards per play. His impact was not only felt in his presence but in what he did individually as well. In his debut game with the Bears, he recorded 6 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFLs, and 1 QB hit.

​He accomplished all of this while not even playing 90% of Chicago’s defensive snaps. As per Shawn Syed, he played only 86% of the Bears’ total defensive snaps.

Jeffery Simmons Has Transformed The Bears Defense

Simmons’ impact trickled over to what the Bears defense did as a whole against Seattle. Chicago forced the Seahawks to have an average 3rd down distance to go over 10 yards per Shawn Syed.

In addition to holding Seattle to convert only 1 of their 11 third down attempts for the night. Chicago, as a defensive unit, held the Seahawks to an 18th percentile offensive performance by EPA per play, per Sumer Sports.

Caleb Williams Is Proving He’s An Elite Quarterback

​Chicago is also a legit Super Bowl contender because Caleb Williams is on the rise to being seen as one of the game’s elite quarterbacks. In this game, the 24-year-old signal caller entered tied with Aaron Rodgers for 35 consecutive regular season games with at least 20 pass attempts and no more than one interception per Ken Mitchell.

Against this vaunted Seahawks defense, he broke that record, along with being the first quarterback to throw for over 200 yards against Seattle this season, per PFF. This was the most the Seahawks have allowed to any quarterback this year.

​Williams accomplished this by throwing for 247 yards on 24 of his 34 pass attempts. This marked his 3rd time going over a 70% completion percentage this season after doing so 0 times last season, per Sumer Sports.

​He carved up this elite Seahawks defense over the middle of the field, going 5/8 for 104 passing yards on throws 10 plus yards down the field on throws in that area per Sumer Sports.

​Williams, so far this season among quarterbacks with a minimum of 100 dropbacks, ranks 7th in EPA/Play per Sumer Sports. His impact is also felt in the Bears’ ability to stay ahead, as Chicago has led for 158:33 of the 180 minutes since Williams has returned from his hamstring strain. Chicago’s only time they haven’t led a game since he’s been back in the lineup is when they were tied at 0-0, per Bill Zimmerman.

The Bears’ Offense Is Dominating Games With Its Time of Possession 

Chicago’s offense is not only good because they’re top ten in EPA/Play, success%, total EPA, and points per game. But they do an incredible job at controlling the time of possession, in particular during the 4th quarter.

​They’ve had over 50 more minutes in the 4th quarter than their opponents going into their matchup against Seattle. Chicago on Monday Night Football had two touchdown drives with over six minutes of time of possession.

​Making themselves the first team to reach this feat against the Seahawks since San Franscio did it in 2024, per Benjamin Solak. Specifically, their first drive of the game was a 17-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that took 8:32.  According to Sumer Sports, that drive is tied for the most plays on a touchdown drive against any Mike Macdonald defense.

End Of Why The Bears Are Legit Super Bowl Contenders Rant 

​Chicago has everything in place for why they are legit title contenders. A young quarterback ascending to elite heights, an elite offensive unit, an elite offensive playcaller head coach, a game-wrecking defensive lineman in Simmons that now makes their defense a legit above-average unit.

​Which is all the Bears need their defense to be with how good their offense is. Now coming off back-to-back primetime wins against last year’s Super Bowl participants for the first time in league history, per OptaSTATS. Chicago is not only a real threat to win the Super Bowl but is now arguably the best team in the NFL.