Nov. 21--Mel Tucker had not fielded such an uplifting question in more than a month. So when a reporter asked the Bears' defensive coordinator what his unit did well Sunday in a 21-13 victory over the Vikings, he understandably detailed the entire checklist.
"We got the win," he began. "That was the most important thing."
No argument here.
"Thought we kept them to low numbers in terms of points, and then yards, obviously," he said.
Check and check. Thirteen points are fewer than 55, and the Vikings totaled only 195 yards, excluding 48 on a fake punt.
"We got off the field on third down, which was a big point of emphasis," Tucker said.
The Vikings' 18 percent conversion rate was the Bears' best performance of the season.
"Did some good things in the run game," he continued. "We didn't give up the big, explosive plays, which we talked about, making them go the long, hard way, and not giving them anything cheap over the top. I thought we were physical in the game. I thought we just played together."
That's as long a list of positives as the defense has enjoyed all season. No wonder the Bears are feeling better about themselves ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers at Soldier Field.
But was their success the result of substantial improvement from within? Or did the Bears simply benefit from playing against a rookie quarterback, an offense without its top running back and tight end and a pedestrian group of receivers?
"It's a little bit of both," linebacker Lance Briggs said. "Obviously, we were facing a rookie quarterback, but this is a professional team, and it was important for us to just really read our keys and be assignment-right. For us, getting that win and playing good defense against the Vikings is good because we have to start there."
Surely, Briggs did not have to apologize for the caliber of last week's opponent. It could have been the Rochester Jeffersons, as long as the Bears showed signs of life after surrendering 51 and 55 points to the Patriots and Packers, respectively, in consecutive losses.
Now the Bears must build on their progress against a Bucs offense led by former Bears quarterback Josh McCown and a pair of big receivers, Vincent Jackson (6-foot-5) and star rookie Mike Evans (6-4).
The Bucs scored 27 points Sunday in beating the Redskins, only the third time this season they have scored more than 17. It was McCown's second game after a sprained right thumb sidelined him for five.
"If there's an open man, he's going to find that man," Tucker said. "He did a really good job of getting the ball out quickly when need be. And when they wanted to take shots down the field, they had good protection. He (had) really good recognition on some pressures that were run against them."
The Bears' formula for success will include the usual points of emphasis: beating one-on-one blocks, tackling well and forcing turnovers -- each of which they did against the Vikings. There was more than that to their triumph, though.
Take second-year defensive end David Bass. It was only the second time Bass was on the active game-day roster this season and first time since Sept. 28. Coaches activated him because of his improved pass rush in practice, which he carried over to the game.
On the Vikings' final play, Ryan Mundy's interception in the end zone, Bass beat right tackle Phil Loadholt with a right-handed club move and hit quarterback Teddy Bridgewater as he threw.
"Just using his hands and just his approach," Tucker said of Bass' improvements. "Making sure he has a plan when you line up against a guy. He made the most of the opportunity. That's what you like to see."
Another young player, first-year slot cornerback Demontre Hurst, also stood out to Tucker. Hurst tackled well, recording seven according to coaches' review. (Hurst injured his knee in practice this week, but coach Marc Trestman is optimistic he will be able to play against the Bucs.) Tucker also complimented linebacker Shea McClellin.
Veterans such as Briggs and Jared Allen did their parts, too. Briggs made a tackle for a loss, and Allen had a sack. It was the type of collective performance they need to repeat to salvage the season.
"We didn't play perfect by any means, but guys played well," Allen said. "Guys played downhill, guys played fast, guys played physical and they played with a sense of confidence. Not only that, just from a team standpoint, we played well off each other."
rcampbell@tribpub.com
Twitter @Rich_Campbell
