Numbers can help tell a story in a football season. Here's a look at 10 important or interesting statistics that have played a role in the first half of the Bears' season.

-49:

The Bears' point differential in the fourth quarter through eight weeks. In the first three quarters of games, the team is outscoring its opponents 101-100. However, in the final 15 minutes of action, Chicago trails 79-30. The Bears have scored seven or more points in a fourth quarter just three times this season. Meanwhile, every Chicago opponent has scored at least seven points in the fourth quarter when facing the Bears.

1:

Successful fourth-down conversions by the Chicago offense this season, in seven attempts. The only successful conversion thus far in 2016 took place in Week 3 versus Dallas, when Brian Hoyer hit Zach Miller for a 2-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal midway through the third quarter.

5.19:

Average yards opponents gain per play on the Chicago defense. The Bears have been among the stingiest teams in the league defensively through eight weeks. If the stat stands through the end of the year, it would be the lowest average yards per play allowed by the Bears since 2010.

5.25:

Average yards after catch on passes thrown by Brian Hoyer this season. Hoyer completed 134 of the 200 passes he threw as Chicago's quarterback, and his receivers often had room to run after the catch. Hoyer didn't air it out much, as his average pass length was 5.53 yards per completion.

8.15:

Average gain for run plays off of left tackle this season. The Bears have run the ball 26 times behind left tackle Charles Leno this year, and have been quite successful doing it. The 8.15 yards per rush off left tackle is the best in the NFL.

20.3:

Deonte Thompson's kickoff return average on 15 runbacks this season. Thompson's 304 total return yards rank third in the NFL.

31:

Opponents' yards lost from sacks by Akiem Hicks this season. Hicks has four quarterback takedowns on the year, but he's made them count yardage-wise. Willie Young leads the team with six sacks, but those plays have combined for 28 lost yards.

47.83:

Chicago's red zone conversion percentage this season, which ranks in the bottom-quarter of the NFL. The Bears have frequently stalled close to the goal line, scoring 11 touchdowns on their 23 trips inside opponents' 20-yard lines. Those issues are a main reason the team ranks ninth in the league in yards per play but dead last in points per game.

223:

Different defensive lineups the Bears have played this season. The various 11-player defensive combinations ranks among the most in the league. In eight games, the Bears have had six unique starting defensive lineups. Thirty different players have taken defensive snaps for the Bears this season, tied for most in the NFL.

505:

Rushing yards through eight games for rookie running back Jordan Howard, which ranks fourth-best in the NFC. Howard only received 12 total rushing attempts in the first three weeks of the season, but since then, he has eclipsed 100 yards in a game three times.