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After six games, the Chicago Bears defense looks like it's the best defense in the league, and the numbers back it up. The Bears lead the NFL in points allowed per game with 13. They also lead the league with 21 takeaways, which is the most by any team after six games since 1971, and also lead the league with 14 interceptions. They're second in the league in rushing yards allowed with 71.3, which is only .1 yard behind the Chargers for first. The Bears are holding opponents to a 29.2 third-down conversion percentage, which is good for fourth in the NFL, and are seventh in defensive red zone efficiency, allowing opponents to score on only 40 percent of their trips inside the Chicago 20 yard line.
However, defensive end Julius Peppers and the team don't appear to be getting caught up reading the headlines:
"We're not concerned with stats and who's the best and this and that, we're just trying to get better," Pepper said.
The Bears host the struggling Carolina Panthers on Sunday and have a chance to keep adding to their gaudy defensive stat line.