On the surface level, the Chicago Bears defense that the New Orleans Saints will face this weekend has struggled in many ways.
Through its first five games, Chicago ranks 27th in the NFL in both scoring (28.2 points per game) and total defense (369.4 yards per game). Its run defense is next to last in the league, yielding 156.4 yards per game on the ground.
But there is one aspect of what the Bears are doing on defense under coordinator Dennis Allen — the former Saints head coach — that has the Saints attention.
"The turnover thing is real," coach Kellen Moore said.
The Bears have forced 12 turnovers in their first five games, eight of which are interceptions. Both of those figures rank second in the NFL behind the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Veteran safety Kevin Byard leads the Bears and is in a three-way tie for second in the NFL with three interceptions.
"We’ve got to respect them and we’ve got to be on our A-game protecting the ball," quarterback Spencer Rattler said. "That’s the main focus this week, especially playing these guys."
Despite its 1-5 record, the Saints have actually been one of the NFL's better teams at avoiding turnovers. New Orleans has only committed four turnovers through its first six games, tied with Chicago and Indianapolis for the seventh fewest in the NFL.
Rattler has thrown just one interception in his 203 pass attempts this season — down from five in 228 attempts last season.
But the Bears have found a way to create turnovers against teams that take care of the ball. On Monday night against the Washington Commanders, Chicago forced three turnovers against a team that had turned it over three times in its first five games combined.
It was the third straight game the Bears forced three or more turnovers.
"It seems like every year there are a couple of these teams just making them happen each and every week, and they’re on that trend line," Moore said. "They’re doing a great job of attacking the football."