Bears Ride Four Takeaways to Fourth Straight Victory
Bears Defensive Backs Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker during pregame. (Credits: Write to Make it Right)
The Chicago Bears have matched their win total from last season, but this time, the energy feels completely different. In Sunday’s 26-14 victory over the New Orleans Saints, the Bears’ defense once again turned in a takeaway clinic, forcing four turnovers as defensive coordinator Dennis Allen appeared to have the perfect game plan against his former team.
Head coach Ben Johnson spoke about the Bears’ league-leading 16 takeaways, crediting his staff and players for their discipline and confidence.
Ben Johnson Takes the Podium.
“I think they come in bunches, and these guys — we’ve got a method in place of how we want to practice it,” Johnson said. “Dennis does a great job instilling confidence in those guys, putting them in the right spots. When the ball touches their hands, they’re coming down with it. They’re very conscious on run plays to punch that ball out. It’s really been the foundation of this four-game stretch for us.”
The Bears jumped out to a commanding 20-0 lead before the Saints clawed back to make it 20-14. Chris Olave was the heartbeat of New Orleans’ offense, hauling in five catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler struggled outside of his connection with Olave, throwing two touchdowns along with three interceptions and a lost fumble.
Ground Game in Control
Chicago’s rushing attack once again powered the offense, totaling 222 yards and two touchdowns. D’Andre Swift led the charge with 124 yards and a score, while rookie Kyle Monangai capped a 55-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Johnson’s patience with the run game is paying off. After a slow start to the season, Swift has delivered back-to-back 100-yard performances, while seventh-round pick Monangai is emerging as a reliable No. 2 option in the backfield.
D’Andre Swift Takes the Podium.
“Everybody is just doing their job. That’s really what I can say I’ve noticed. The first three games it was kind of like, all of us were somewhere with mic points or things like that. We are just doing a better job of staying focused on the details,” said Swift.
Passing Game Still Finding Rhythm
Quarterback Caleb Williams wasn’t at his best through the air, finishing 15-of-26 for 172 yards and one interception. Instead, the Bears leaned on a familiar formula: tough defense, a dominant run game, and smart clock management, a combination that’s defining this four-game streak.
“Guys got open, and I think I missed. That's what it boils down to,” Williams said. “Other than that, it’s just being able to have it on my conscience that I can help this team — not only by scrambling and delivering a good ball to receivers, which I didn’t do that well today — but also by understanding that I can run and hurt a team with my legs.”
Caleb Williams takes the podium.
As an offensive-minded coach, Johnson still sees room for growth despite the team’s success.
“Up and down. That’s what we’ve looked like,” Johnson said. “We haven’t hit our stride yet offensively. We’re capable of a lot more. We have very talented individuals. I feel strongly in our coaching staff. But we’re just not complementing our defense on a regular basis. With the number of turnovers we’ve had over the last four games, we should be turning those into more points.”
Despite the offensive inconsistency, Chicago’s four-game winning streak has them firmly in the NFC North race. Every team in the division sits at .500 or better, with Green Bay leading at 4-1-1, followed by the Bears at 4-2, just behind Detroit.
Next up, the Bears hit the road to face a Ravens team battling through injuries, including two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. With momentum on their side and confidence building, Chicago’s next challenge could determine if they are a team that can continue to check boxes and stack victories.
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