Following an embarrassing loss to the Los Angeles Rams to open the season, the Chicago Bears defense was determined to right the ship against the Cincinnati Bengals.
With Justin Fields taking over for an injured Andy Dalton, the Bears defense has stepped up to help their rookie quarterback in his first game with significant action.
The Bears defense came away with three huge takeaways on consecutive drives early in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Roquan Smith came down with arguably the play of the game with a pick-6 of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, where Smith returned it 53 yards for the score.
.@RoquanSmith1 TO THE HOUSE ‼️#CINvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/dsDgZQYhc1
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 19, 2021
It was Burrow’s first interception in 200 pass attempts, which was the longest active streak in the NFL. But it wasn’t his last of the game.
On the next possession, Burrow was picked off by Bears second-year cornerback Jaylon Johnson, which marked his first career interception.
First career pick for @NBAxJay1 & it's a good one. 😎#CINvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/0u6Ap5aDGZ
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 19, 2021
But, wait, there’s more!
With the Bengals still trailing 17-3, Burrow was the victim of poor pass protection, where Bears linebacker Alec Ogletree got in his face and forced an interception to Bears defensive lineman Angelo Blackson. Chicago would score a field goal.
Burrow is the first player with an interception on three consecutive pass attempts since Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2018.
The Bears lead 20-10 in the fourth quarter.
