Bears Defense By The Numbers

The Bears are winning because of their defense. Coming off of the shutout of the Miami Dolphins, just how good are they? The numbers say it all.

-- Just as in the NFC North standings, the Bears are tied with the Packers in points allowed, with each team giving up 14.6 points per game. The Bears are much stingier when it comes to yardage, giving up 290.4 yards per game.

-- The Bears are the NFL's second-best at stopping the run. With Brian Urlacher healthy and Julius Peppers on the line, they only allow 78 yards on the ground per game, and are one of just four NFL teams that allow less than 90 yards per game.

-- Creating turnovers is a key part of the Bears defense. They have forced 14 fumbles and have picked off QBs 15 times. That helps make up for their one weakness: the pass rush. Even with Peppers' five sacks and Israel Idonije's six, the Bears aren't anywhere near the top of the league for sacks. Chicago gives up 212.4 yards by air. That still puts them in the league's top 12.

-- Statistically, Chicago doesn't have a defensive star. Only one Bear is in the top 10 in any defensive category. Rookie D.J. Moore is tenth in the league for interceptions with four picks.

The defense will face their toughest test on Sunday when a red-hot Michael Vick and the Eagles come to town. Vick has over 1,000 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns in his last four games.