Overview
- Dennis Allen said the Bears’ best defense is to avoid third‑and‑short and fourth‑and‑short, emphasizing technique over gimmicks for the short-yardage package.
- The Bears are using last week’s tape as a guide after stuffing one fourth-and-1 against Pittsburgh before getting burned by a 55-yard edge counter on the next attempt.
- Chicago defenders describe a rugby-style response, with players driving their man forward to match force, a teaching echoed by Kevin Byard and Grady Jarrett.
- Philadelphia’s success remains striking, with ESPN citing a 96.6% conversion rate on fourth-and-1 since 2022 and Radar360 tracking a 6-of-7 mark this season.
- Potential secondary reinforcements are trending positively, with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon listed as estimated full participants as the Bears prepare for Friday.