Chicago Bears on the rise and fall after beating the Detroit Lions
By Todd Welter
T.J. Edwards & Tremaine Edmunds
These linebackers were flying all over the field making plays. They both accounted for a tackle for a loss. Edwards had an interception and fumble recovery.
It would be great to still have Roquan Smith, but these two have been doing a great job replacing him.
Jaquan Brisker
He registered 17 tackles with 13 solo and two passes defensed. The safety was part of a pass defense that limited the Lions to 127 passing yards.
The defense continues to find ways to make Jared Goff look horrible as he completed 20 of 35 passes for 161 yards, a touchdown, and two picks. He was also sacked four times.
Jaylon Johnson
The corner made another case to get paid this offseason. He made up for dropping two interceptions in the previous meeting between these two division rivals.
He picked off Goff early in the second quarter that killed a Lions scoring drive. It was his second consecutive game with an interception. He now has four on the season.
Johnson was part of a defensive effort that forced three turnovers, four punts, and two turnovers on downs.
Matt Eberflus
The embattled head coach deserves praise for this victory. The defense was outstanding and dominated the Lions for much of the game.
This game has been a defensive tour de force for Eberflus and Poles. Sweat, Edmunds, Brisker all starring.
— M@ (@MattSpiegel670) December 10, 2023
And the whole unit continues to play with tremendous energy and cohesiveness.
The Chicago Bears were disciplined with only four penalties compared to the 13 the Bears committed over the previous two games. The Lions were the undisciplined bunch with eight.
It was also the first time since 2013 that the Chicago Bears won a game coming after the bye week.