The Chicago Bears’ eventual 36-10 win over the Carolina Panthers started ominously, with the visitors striking first on a 38-yard touchdown run by Chuba Hubbard.
That was the spark the defense needed to wake up, though.
Bears Settle Down, Notch Big Win vs Panthers
Tyrique Stevenson: Bears ‘Had to Lock In’ After Panthers’ Early TD
“It just made us lock in for real,” Tyrique Stevenson told Clocker Sports after the game in the locker room. “We noticed that we wasn’t in the right gaps, we noticed that we wasn’t in the right fits as corners and safeties and linebackers. And we came back to the sideline, we slowed everybody emotions down, and we had to lock in.”
Hubbard finished with 97 yards on his 13 carries; a 7.5 yards-per-tote average. He had six rushes for 33 yards in the second and third quarters. But he ran it three times for 10 yards in the fourth quarter, albeit while trailing by multiple scores.
Stevenson made another play early in the game, breaking on a pass intended for Jonathan Mingo.
Stevenson flashed across Mingo’s face with a one-handed deflection.
“Honestly, I was debating,” Stevenson said. “I was debating on another route and they threw the ball up, and I made a great play on it. Happy that I was able to get us off the field and get my defense and give the offense back the ball.
The Bears head into Week 6 to face the 1-4 Jacksonville Jaguars – who got a win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5 – in London.
Despite a beleaguered Panthers opponent, the Bears are looking to build off the win.
“It’s more confidence to add onto what we is, knowing that we one of the top defenses in the league, and it’s a standard that we hold our stuff up to,” Stevenson said. “After that first touchdown, they made us lock in, remember who we are.”
Bears Disruptive on Defense Once Again
Who they are on defense is a playmaking group, and they showcased that on Sunday, with safety Kevin Byard coming away with his first interception as a Bear.
The Bears also had 4 sacks on the day.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and safety Jaquan Brisker both forced fumbles, with Gervon Dexter Sr. – who recorded one of the sacks on Panthers QB Andy Dalton – and Kyler Gordon recovering them.
“We got a little man, so I had my eyes on my man,” Gordon told Clocker Sports. “After he was locked up, I looked to see where the ball was, and I saw Tremaine come down and start punching for it. My immediate reaction was to go dive in here on the ground because it was rolling around. I saw everyone run into that, I said, ‘Let me be patient. Let me be patient.’ And sure enough, someone hit it out.
“I tried to scoop a score. I got tackled right away. But just seeing it – see-ball, get-ball. I was trying to do something. Create some type of production, and give our offense another chance.”
Not everyone was able to finish their opportunity to create a turnover, though.
Safety Jonathan Owens had a shot to come down with his first interception with the Bears on a pass by Panthers QB – and 2023 No. 1 overall pick – Bryce Young in the fourth quarter that was deflected by Jaylon Jones.
Byard said that the defense had a “discussion” with Owens on the sideline after the missed pick opportunity.
Owens confirmed the interaction took place.
“My guy Jay Jones, he tipped the ball and it was like one of those easy ones. I tried to go catch it like a punt, but it hit my face mask. It’s tough, man. It’s tough,” Owens said. “They all [teased him]. The boys all did.”
Austin Booker ‘Still Not Satisfied’ Career Sack No. 1
Booker spoke with Clocker Sports following the Bears’ Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Rams, saying it was “cool” to record his first hit on the quarterback. But he was not satisfied. After recording his first sack in Week 5, Booker kept that same energy.
“I mean, it’s cool. Still not satisfied, though,” Booker told Clocker Sports on Sunday. “It wasn’t in a meaningful moment.”
Booker’s relentless approach is why he is developing as he is and is encouraging for the Bears.
Caleb Williams Credits Bears O-Line on Historic Day
Caleb Williams became the first rookie in Chicago Bears history with multiple 300-yard games in his career in the win over the Panthers. Even after such an accomplishment, Williams was quick to credit the offensive line when asked how the run game has helped the pass.
