The Chicago Bears are 4-2 and are tied for first place in the NFC North. One of the keys to Chicago's success has been the team's opportunistic defense.
"The Chicago Bears' defense is one of the most aggressive defenses in the NFL," says NFL Network analyst and Pro Football Hall of Famer DEION SANDERS. "They go after the ball when the ball is in the other team's possession. They know how to take the ball away."
This season, the Bears have scored four touchdowns on defense: three interception-return touchdowns and a fumble-return touchdown.
"That's what we do, we take the ball away," says Chicago defensive end JULIUS PEPPERS, who returned a fumble 42 yards for a touchdown in the Bears' Week 3 win at Pittsburgh. "We stress it in practice every day, and it carries over to the game. We have to continue to do that on a weekly basis to continue to win, and I believe we'll be able to do that."
Date | Player | Play | Opponent | Quarter / Time | Yards |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Source: NFL | |||||
9/15/13 | Tim Jennings | Interception | Minnesota | 2nd Quarter, 2:51 | 44 |
9/22/13 | Major Wright | Interception | Pittsburgh | 2nd Quarter, 8:57 | 38 |
9/22/13 | Julius Peppers | Fumble | Pittsburgh | 4th Quarter, 3:57 | 42 |
10/10/13 | Tim Jennings | Interception | New York Giants | 1st Quarter, 9:50 | 48 |
In their Week 6 win over the New York Giants, Chicago cornerback TIM JENNINGS returned an interception 48 yards for the game's first score in a 27-21 victory. It marked the second interception-return touchdown for Jennings this season -- the most in the NFL -- and his third over the past two years -- tied for the most in the league.
Since the start of the 2012 season, the Bears have recorded 11 interception-return touchdowns, far and away the most in the NFL. Chicago is 9-0 over the past two seasons in games in which the Bears record an interception-return touchdown.
Team | Games | Interceptions | Interceptions - TDs |
---|---|---|---|
Source: NFL | |||
Chicago Bears | 22 | 33 | 11 |
St. Louis Rams | 22 | 22 | 6 |
Denver Broncos | 22 | 25 | 5 |
Indianapolis Colts | 22 | 19 | 5 |
San Diego Chargers | 22 | 16 | 5 |
Tennessee Titans | 22 | 25 | 5 |
Washington Redskins | 21 | 24 | 5 |
"The Bears' defense can go from defense to offense instantaneously," says Sanders.
Over the past 20 games, Chicago's 11 interception-return touchdowns are tied for the most over any 20-game span in NFL history.
Team | 20-Game Span | Interceptions - TDs |
---|---|---|
Source: NFL | ||
Chicago Bears | September 23, 2012-October 10, 2013 | 11 |
Chicago Bears | January 1, 2012-September 22, 2013 | 11 |
Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers | November 20, 1960-September 7, 1962 | 11 |
Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers | November 27, 1960-September 16, 1962 | 11 |
In the past decade (since the start of the 2004 season), the Bears have 29 interception-return touchdowns, the most in the NFL. During that span, Chicago is 22-4 (.846) in games in which the Bears score an interception-return touchdown.
"It happens a lot around here," says Bears quarterback JAY CUTLER about the team's defensive scores. "I think we're getting a little bit used to it. They make the big plays and their ability to create turnovers is fun to watch."
Team | Games | Interceptions | Interceptions - TDs |
---|---|---|---|
Source: | |||
Chicago Bears | 150 | 190 | 29 |
Baltimore Ravens | 150 | 176 | 26 |
Green Bay Packers | 149 | 187 | 26 |
Buffalo Bills | 150 | 163 | 21 |
Tennessee Titans | 150 | 159 | 21 |
The Bears have won 12 in a row when recording an interception-return touchdown and 20 of their past 21 such contests.
"This is what the Bears do," says NFL Network analyst and Pro Football Hall of Famer MARSHALL FAULK. "The defense practices taking the ball away and then everybody has to sprint to the end zone."
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Chicago Bears Defense Keeps Scoring