Scouting the Bears: Steelers opponent adept at creating turnovers, limiting giveaways

SCOUTING THE BEARS

Last meeting

Steelers beat Bears, 29-27, on Nov. 8, 2021, in Pittsburgh

Key matchup

Steelers defense vs. Bears RBs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai

Chicago’s two-headed rushing tandem has combined for 30 carries of 10 or more yards this season. Swift’s 21 such gains are tied for fifth most in the NFL despite having the fewest overall carries (134) of anyone in the top 20. The Steelers have allowed 29 runs of at least 10 yards this season: 15 during their four defeats and 14 during their six wins.

Key injuries

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is doubtful to play Sunday, and several Steelers are listed as questionable — defensive lineman Cameron Heyward (ankle), quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) and cornerback Darius Slay (concussion). Five members of the Bears have been deemed out — linebackers Tremaine Edmunds (groin), T.J. Edwards (hand/hamstring) and Noah Sewell (elbow) and running backs Travis Horner (hamstring/knee) and Roschon Johnson (thumb).

Series record

Bears lead 19-8-1

Series notes

The Steelers’ win in the previous meeting snapped a three-game Chicago winning streak in the series. … The Bears are 12-1 all-time at home against the Steelers, including 5-1 since moving to Soldier Field on a permanent basis in 1971. Since Soldier Field underwent a major renovation in the early 2000s, the Steelers have lost both meetings (17-14 in 2009 and 23-17 in overtime in 2017). … The lone Steelers victory in Chicago came by a 37-34 score in overtime on Nov. 5, 1995, with the Steelers en route to an eventual Super Bowl appearance. … The Bears won the first 10 games the teams played after the Steelers’ inception in 1933. It took 25 years for the Steelers to win a game in the series: 24-10 on Nov. 30, 1958. … The teams have split 12 meetings since the “Super Steelers” won their first Super Bowl in 1975. … The Steelers are 8-4-1 over their past 13 games against NFC North opponents.

Notable

The Bears lead the NFL in turnover differential by a wide margin. Chicago’s plus-16 in 10 games easily out-paces the No. 2 Los Angeles Rams (plus-10). … The Bears lead the league in takeaways (22, or four more than any other team), buoyed by an NFL-best 15 interceptions. Only three teams have more fumble takeaways (seven). … Only one team has fewer giveaways than Chicago’s offense (six). Only one team has fewer lost fumbles (two) and only six have thrown fewer interceptions (six). … The Steelers have similar strengths, ranking tied for fourth in the NFL in turnover differential (plus-8). The Bears are the only team that has more takeaways than the Steelers (18), including a league best-tying nine off of fumbles. The Steelers are tied for 10th in fewest giveaways (10). … The Bears rank fourth in the NFL in total offense (373.8 yards per game) and second in rushing offense (146.6). … Chicago is 27th in total defense — one spot ahead of the Steelers — at 364.6 yards allowed per game. Only six teams are allowing more points per game (26.4). Last week’s 19-17 victory at the Minnesota Vikings was just the third time this season the Bears allowed fewer than 20 points in a game. … Five of the Bears’ seven wins this season have come after they were trailing at some point during the final 2 minutes of the fourth quarter.

Fantasy tip

Look at the so-called “backup” running backs. Over his past five games, rookie Monangai has played almost half the Bears’ offensive snaps and has 381 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. The Steelers’ Kenenth Gainwell has five touchdowns over a span of his past 79 touches.