In the 2005 season, the Chicago Bears ceded 4.4 yards per play and 12.6 points per game. Highlighted by a secondary that ceded 10 touchdowns and picked off 24 passes, the unit created 34 turnovers and piled up an NFL-best 98 tackles for loss.

Star linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs both topped 100 tackles, while Charles Tillman added 96 stops with five interceptions and four forced fumbles. Adewale Ogunleye paced the defensive line with 10 sacks, and Nathan Vasher grabbed eight picks. Overall, five players made the Pro Bowl team.

Unfortunately for Chicago, the Kyle Orton-led offense ranked 26th in scoring (16.3 per game). After an 11-5 regular season, the Bears lost to the Carolina Panthers in the Divisional Round.