Dennis Allen’s unit made it personal — and unforgettable — in Chicago’s 26-14 victory
The Monsters of the Midway are back on the prowl. The Chicago Bears’ defense turned back the clock — relentless, physical and unforgiving — in a 26-14 win over the New Orleans Saints that reminded everyone what real Chicago football looks like.
From the second play of the game, the Bears set the tone. Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler, in his second NFL season, fumbled after a hit from Defensive End Montez Sweat , and Chicago recovered deep in Saints territory. It was only the beginning. The Bears forced four turnovers — three interceptions and a fumble — while holding New Orleans to 44 rushing yards and sacking Rattler four times.
For defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, it wasn’t just another Sunday. Allen spent the past 2½ seasons as head coach of the Saints before being dismissed last year. Facing his former team for the first time since that split, Allen’s defense didn’t just win — it made a point.
“He didn’t make it about himself this entire week, he didn’t mention anything about it,” safety Kevin Byard said. “But just me being a veteran, I know. This meant a lot for him.”
Allen’s fingerprints were everywhere. The Bears disguised coverages, shifted fronts and confused Rattler all day. The second-year quarterback finished 20-of-32 for 233 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, often throwing under duress as Chicago’s front line swarmed.
The pass rush came from every level. Montez Sweat led the charge off the edge, tallying four tackles and a strip sack while consistently collapsing the pocket. Gervon Dexter Sr. and Andrew Billings controlled the interior, clogging lanes and forcing Rattler to move into pressure. Tremaine Edmunds turned in one of his best games as a Bear — nine tackles, a sack and an interception — setting the tone physically and emotionally. Jaquan Brisker added six tackles and a sack, flashing his trademark burst from the secondary to cap one of the defense’s most complete outings of the season.
In the secondary, Nashon Wright emerged as a difference-maker. The young cornerback broke up two passes and came up with a second-quarter interception that halted a Saints drive near midfield and swung momentum firmly in Chicago’s favor. Beside him, Kevin Byard made his presence felt beyond words, hauling in an interception of his own while directing traffic in a secondary that played with precision and confidence.
When the defense plays with this kind of swagger, everything else falls into place. Chicago’s four takeaways pushed its total to 15 over the past four games, the most in the league during that stretch. Opponents are averaging barely 14 points per game, and the Bears have quietly built one of the NFL’s most dangerous, opportunistic units.
After the game, head coach Ben Johnson handed Allen the game ball. The locker room erupted. “Dennis has this group believing,” Johnson said. “He’s built a defense that plays fast, hits hard and finishes. That’s what Chicago football is supposed to be.”
Allen, ever composed, downplayed the revenge angle. “It’s about the guys,” he said. “They’ve bought into what we’re building here — discipline, toughness, speed. That’s our standard.”
The Bears’ offense still has room to grow. Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams finished 15-of-26 for 172 yards and one interception, managing the game while the defense carried the load. Chicago leaned on its ground game to chew clock, but the real fireworks came from the other side of the ball.
Every snap of this game felt like an echo of the franchise’s past — swarming linebackers, crushing hits and a relentless pursuit of the football. The Monsters of the Midway may have a new generation, but the spirit hasn’t changed: control the line, create chaos and make the opponent quit.
For Allen, Sunday’s win was validation — a quiet, calculated redemption against the team that let him go. For the Bears, it was something more: proof that the defense isn’t just holding them together, it’s defining who they are again.
The scoreboard read 26-14, but the message was far louder. The Bears’ defense isn’t just hot — it’s here to stay. And under Dennis Allen’s command, Chicago looks ready to bring the Monsters back to the Midway for real.
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