:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57305247/865138880.0.jpg)
The Monsters of the Midway are back.
After the Chicago Bears’ defense fell off a cliff in years past, it has caught fire in recent weeks, resembling the great units we’ve become accustomed to seeing throughout the franchise’s storied history. While this up-and-coming group is far from being the ‘85 Bears, it’s been one of the best fantasy defenses in recent weeks.
Chicago ranks third in average defensive points scored over the last three weeks, which includes a Week 7 shellacking of Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers, 17-3. The Bears scored two defensive touchdowns in that game, both being by promising rookie safety Eddie Jackson.
Now, it’s time for a fresh set of rankings for the top defenses and special teams heading into Week 8.
Defense/Special Teams rankings, Week 8
(SK: Scott Kaliska; DG: Derek Gordon; KB: Kyle Bennett; JM: Jason Marcum)
D/ST rankings, Week 8
| Rk | Consensus | Opp | SK | JG | DG | AW | JM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rk | Consensus | Opp | SK | JG | DG | AW | JM |
| 1 | Minnesota Vikings | vs. CLE | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Philadelphia Eagles | vs. SF | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Cincinnati Bengals | vs. IND | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Baltimore Ravens | vs. MIA | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| 5 | Denver Broncos | @ KC | 10 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | Pittsburgh Steelers | @ DET | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 7 | Seattle Seahawks | vs. HOU | 5 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| 8 | Carolina Panthers | @ TB | 12 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 9 | Houston Texans | @ SEA | 11 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 14 |
| 10 | Kansas City Chiefs | vs. DEN | 4 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 8 |
| 11 | Buffalo Bills | vs. OAK | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 12 | Detroit Lions | vs. PIT | 15 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| 13 | Chicago Bears | @ NO | 19 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| 14 | Miami Dolphins | @ BAL | 9 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| 15 | New Orleans Saints | vs. CHI | 7 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 19 |
| 16 | Cleveland Browns | vs. MIN | 23 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| 17 | Los Angeles Chargers | @ NE | 25 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| 18 | Atlanta Falcons | @ NYJ | 14 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 |
| 19 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | vs. CAR | 16 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 |
| 20 | Washington | vs. DAL | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
| 21 | New England Patriots | vs. LAC | 17 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 |
| 22 | New York Jets | vs. ATL | 18 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 24 |
| 23 | Oakland Raiders | @ BUF | 20 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
| 24 | Dallas Cowboys | @ WAS | 24 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 23 |
| 25 | Indianapolis Colts | @ CIN | 22 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |