When the 2-6 (on October 31) Chicago Bears swapped a second-round pick for Montez Sweat at the trade deadline, most people thought the organization was delusional. After all, this team that’s rebuilding and holds another team’s (potentially first overall) first-round pick shouldn’t part with an important asset toward building their future. Not for a defensive player who won’t completely transform an awful defense and may walk come free agency. That was the common sentiment at the time from everyone in the football realm.
Well, the Bears are now 5-8 after taking down the NFC North-leading Lions. Detroit has a top-10 scoring offense and dropped a whopping 33 points on the road in Week 13. In Week 14, in Chicago, that same Lions offense only mustered 13 points while turning the ball over three times. In Detroit’s first meeting with the Bears (also with Sweat), the offense turned the ball over four times.
Since Acquiring Montez Sweat, the Bears Have Been Among the NFL’s Best Defenses
Sweat made his Chicago debut in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. In the eight weeks before his arrival, Chicago was 28th in points allowed per game (27.3), 30th in passing yards allowed per game (262.3), last in sacks (10), and only had nine takeaways.
Since then, the Bears are only allowing 272.2 yards per contest (5th in the NFL since Week 9) and 18.2 points per game (9th). They’ve bumped up to the fifth-fewest passing yards allowed per game, 180.6. Even with a bye week sprinkled in, they have 11 sacks in five games with Montez Sweat, compared to 10 in eight games without him. He is responsible for a team-high 3.5 sacks since Week 9.
Chicago’s greatest improvement has come with forcing turnovers. Since Week 11, the Bears (who have only played in three of the possible four games during that span) are tied for the most takeaways with 11. They have forced at least three turnovers in three consecutive games. Since acquiring Sweat, the Bears are tied for the second-most takeaways in the NFL. Some people owe Ryan Poles an apology.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @TowerTalkSports. You can also reach out to Andre Ifill via email at andre.ifill.jr@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!
