The Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) and Chicago Bears (1-3) will meet for the 12th time in their respective histories on Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium.
While the Bears hold a 6-5 advantage in the all-time series, the Chiefs have won two of the last three meetings, including two straight at Arrowhead.
Here are 10 stats you need to know heading into Sunday's game:
1. Chiefs vs. Bears – Basic team offensive numbers
| Offensive Numbers | ||
|
Category |
Chiefs |
Bears |
|
Net Yards Per Game |
357.8 (14th) |
313.5 (26th) |
|
Yards Per Play |
5.44 (T-15th) |
4.94 (T-27th) |
|
Points Per Game |
25.0 (10th) |
17.0 (28th) |
|
Possession Average |
31:55 (8th) |
30:39 (14th) |
|
Net Rushing Yards Per Game |
108.0 (15th) |
123.5 (11th) |
|
Net Passing Yards Per Game |
249.8 (15th) |
190.0 (19th) |
|
Had Intercepted/Yards |
3/44 |
4/80 |
|
Sacks Allowed/Yards |
19/-111 (32nd) |
9/-50 (T-19th) |
|
Fumbles/Lost |
7/4 |
6/2 |
|
Third down Pct. |
26.1% (32nd) |
44.1% (8th) |
|
Red Zone TD Pct. |
50.0% (T-20th) |
50.0% (T-20th) |
|
Giveaways |
7 (T-20th) |
6 (T-12th) |
2. Chiefs vs. Bears – Basic team defensive numbers
| Defensive Numbers | ||
|
Category |
Chiefs |
Bears |
|
Net Yards Per Game |
397.0 (29th) |
309.0 (7th) |
|
Yards Per Play |
6.08 (28th) |
5.49 (18th) |
|
Points Per Game |
31.3 (T-31st) |
31.3 (T-31st) |
|
Net Rushing Yards Per Game |
101.5 (14th) |
119.3 (24th) |
|
Net Passing Yards Per Game |
295.5 (28th) |
189.8 (4th) |
|
Intercepted by/Yards |
2/55 |
2/15 |
|
Sacks For/Yards |
9/-62 (T-9th) |
6/-46 (T-23rd) |
|
Opponent Fumbles/Lost |
3/1 |
2/2 |
|
Third down Pct. |
37.3% (11th) |
45.8% (30th) |
|
Red Zone TD Pct. |
81.3% (32nd) |
69.2% (26th) |
|
Takeaways |
3 (T-24th) |
4 (T-20th) |
3. When the Chiefs are returning kickoffs
The Bears rank last in the NFL in kickoff touchback percentage, forcing touchbacks on just 35.3 percent of their kickoffs.
In regards to kickoff returns, they also rank last in the NFL by allowing an average of 38.6 yards per return, including a 108-yard return by the Arizona Cardinals rookie running back, David Johnson.
Knile Davis currently ranks No. 8 in the NFL with an average of 25.8 yards per kickoff return.
4. Yards after the catch – Strength vs. Strength
Through four games this season, the Chiefs offense ranks No. 3 in the NFL with 711 yards after the catch, while the Bears defense has allowed just 332, which ranks No. 4 in the NFL.
It's a strength-on-strength situation.
Between now and Sunday, the Chiefs won't be changing their offense, which is built upon getting the ball out quick and letting the playmakers do their thing. So it's going to be interesting to watch how well the Bears defenders continue to tackle in space and whether or not the Chiefs playmakers can pick up extra yardage once they get the ball in their hands.
5. Chiefs red zone defense and third-down offense
These are two areas the Chiefs are looking to improve.
The Chiefs were one of the best teams in the NFL last season in red zone defense, but have struggled this year allowing touchdowns more than 80 percent of the time an opposing offense gets inside their 20-yard line.
On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs were better on third down against the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday, when they converted 7 of 16 (44 percent).
Overall, the Chiefs have converted just 26 percent of their third-down conversions, which ranks last in the NFL.
6. Andy Reid in the second quarter of the season
In his first two years in Kansas City, Andy Reid is 7-1 in the second quarter of the season.
In 2013, Reid was a perfect 4-0 in games 5 through 8, and he finished 3-1 during that stretch last season.
In his 16 years as an NFL head coach, Reid is 38-26 in the second quarter of the season. The Chiefs kick off the second quarter of the season on Sunday against the Bears.
LAST TIME THEY MET
7. Martellus Bennett's targets
At 6-foot-6 and 273 pounds, Bears tight end Martellus Bennett has proven to be a mismatch for defenders.
That's one of the reasons he leads the team with 31 targets through four games, including being targeted 13 times last week in their win over the Oakland Raiders.
Bennett finished that game with 11 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.
8. Jamaal Charles vs. Bears rush defense
Nobody has scored more touchdowns over the past three seasons than running back Jamaal Charles (38).
Through four games this season, Charles has 79 total touches for 457 yards and 5 touchdowns.
If those numbers hold true through the entire 16-game season, Charles would finish with 316 touches for 1,828 yards and 20 touchdowns. It would be the second-most touches he's had in his career (329 in 2013)
The Bears defense ranks No. 24 in the NFL against the run this season, allowing 119 yards rushing per game.
9. Jay Cutler vs. Chiefs
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has faced the Chiefs four times in his career and twice at Arrowhead Stadium, where he'll play on Sunday.
He's 1-1 at Arrowhead and dropped his last game there as a member of the Denver Broncos back in 2008, when he completed 29 of 49 for 361 yards with 1 touchdown and a couple of interceptions, one of which came from linebacker Derrick Johnson.
After returning last week against the Raiders after dealing with a hamstring issue that cost him a couple of games, Cutler completed 28 of 43 for 281 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
10. Matt Forte's career numbers and Bears franchise ranks
Category Rank (Stat) Leader (Stat)
Rushing Yards 2nd (8,071) Walter Payton (16,726)
Rushing Avg. by a RB 11th (4.2) Beattie Feathers (5.5)
100-yard games 2nd (24) Walter Payton (77)
Rushing Touchdowns 4th (42) Walter Payton (110)
Total Touchdowns 4th (58) Walter Payton (125)
Receptions (Overall) 2nd (456) Walter Payton (492)
Receiving Yards 7th (3,860) Johnny Morris (5,059)
Receiving Yards by RB 2nd (3,860) Walter Payton (4,538)
Yards/Scrimmage 2nd (11,931) Walter Payton (21,264)
Scrimmage Yds/Game 2nd (107.5) Walter Payton (111.9)
