Bears Defensive Standouts In First Preseason Game

The 1984 Chicago Bears hold the record for sacks in one season. They set the league standard with 72 the year before they won the Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles led the league with 70 last year. One of the main concerns the Bears face this year is whether the line can pressure the QB.

Yes, it was only a preseason game, but even without Yannick Ngakoue playing, the DL played fast and furious. The defense was relentless during Saturday's 23-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans, collecting eight sacks. The defense also had four takeaways (2 fumble recoveries and two interceptions).

The reserves held the Titans scoreless in the second half.

When the Bears released their first depth chart before the game, one of many surprises was seeing Trevis Gipson buried behind six other defensive ends. If any player needed to step up in this game, it was Gipson. He delivered. Trevis was flying around the field, making his presence felt. He finished with five tackles and one of the eight sacks on the day.

Terrell Lewis, who was signed to the practice squad near the end of last season, also impressed. Lewis led the team with two sacks. He also forced a fumble.

Bears rookies also had big days. Tyrique Stevenson led the team with seven tackles. On one play, he read a quick pass, raced past the WR trying to block, and tackled a Titan receiver behind the line of scrimmage. LB Noah Sewell played well in the middle and also collected one sack. Travis Bell, drafted in the seventh round, also played well.

To put the 8-sack game in perspective, the Bears' defense did not record their 8th sack last year until week five. Critics will be quick to point out the fact it's only preseason. And they would be correct. But their performance in this game instills confidence in a defense that spent the last half of 2022 searching for answers.

Week Two

The Bears will practice today in Lake Forest. Due to rain forecast for today, practice has been moved inside to the Walter Payton Center. The team will head to Indianapolis for joint practice session leading up to their game with the Colts on Saturday evening.

Coach Matt Eberflus has not announced what he will do with his starters in week two. It would be nice to see Justin Fields get a little more playing time. Critics pointed out that Fields didn't throw one pass past the line of scrimmage vs. the Titans. Fields does need to work on passing from the pocket.