The reasons why Bears' success with turnovers looks sustainable

The comical thing about it is critics keep saying it's impossible to have sustained success this way because turnovers are not always something a team can depend on week to week. Yet, that's how Allen has made his reputation.

The smoke and mirrors is how Allen has blitzed, gone to the so-called light box, used a heavier box and relied on sub packages rather than the base defense. It keeps opponents off balance. Expect more of this confusing approach against a rookie QB this week, but in the future as well.

According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Bears are blitzing 29.8% of the time and that's the eighth-highest percentage.

Yet, unlike the Vikings or a few other teams ranking among those in heavy blitz use, they are able to avoid loadin the box or the area between tackles too much to avoid being predictable. That's difficult when blitzing a high amount. They're not in the top 10 for using the heavy box, and by not ranking bottom 10 for using a light box they are able keep enough linebackers and DBs in areas of coverage where they can produce takeaways.

Creating depth

The strength of this defense is, and always was, their defensive backs. They've managed to rely on this despite losing Kyler Gordon for 10 games, Jaylon Johnson for 10 games and Tyrique Stevenson for three games. The linebackers are essential in coverage, and they haven't had Tremaine Edmunds for three games and T.J. Edwards for seven games.

A big question going into the season was their depth in the secondary and at linebacker beyond those areas of strength, and they've found a way to produce it—sometimes off waivers or with castoff players like C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Nahshon Wright, Nick McCloud or D'Marco Jackson.

“We've got a lot of depth on this team,” Ben Johnson argued. “I think we have a lot of guys that, as a coaching staff, we, by design, put them in some challenging situations from the springtime through training camp.

“Now, when they get in those situations, they're ready for it.”

Dennis Allen sustains takeaways

None of this is sustainable because of they can't count on the takeaways in the future like they've had all year, it is argued.

Yet, while Allen was the defensive coordinator in New Orleans they were the modicum of consistency when it came to producing takeaways. For five seasons from 2017-21, Allen's defenses finished between seventh and 13th every year for takeaways.

It might not be possible in the future to stay atop the league in takeaways but getting consistent number while gradually improving the pass rush pressure and taking fewer risks can be possible, especially as the Bears' own offense becomes more productive with a quarterback gaining experience.

Trailing forces offenses into risks and the Bears can ratchet up the pressure this way in the future simply by scoring more.

It is all sustainable on defense to some extent, but it doesn't have to be in the future when Ben Johnson has his offense working exactly the way he wants.

Good coaching is always sustainable.

And if GM Ryan Poles can actually locate pass rush help to complement Montez Sweat in the offseason, there is no question whatsoever about that sustainability.