Without injured quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, the Chicago Bears’ offense needed assistance for point production against the Detroit Lions.
Without injured quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, the Chicago Bears ‘ offense needed assistance for point production.
For the second straight game, safety Eddie Jackson provided some.
Jackson stepped up in a tie game Thursday with six minutes left for a 41-yard touchdown on an interception return, and the Bears escaped the Detroit Lions 23-16 for their fifth straight win.
“We knew it was going to be four quarters, we knew it was going to be tough,” Jackson said. “In our mindset, all we were saying was we’ve got to come out and dominate and keep swinging.”
The Bears’ sixth defensive touchdown this year and a solid effort by backup quarterback Chase Daniel led to three divisional wins in a period of 12 days, as they took command in the NFC North at 8-3.
“That was a difference in the game today, winning by that touchdown with Eddie,” Bears head coach Matt Nagy said. “He’s had an unbelievable season so far, one that I don’t know if I’ve ever seen.”
Jackson had an interception and 27-yard touchdown return with 8:30 remaining five days earlier to help secure the Bears’ 25-20 victory over the Vikings.
“We were ready for a bullfight and that’s what we got,” Daniel said. “And listen, our defense stepped up. Those last two drives with turnovers, two takeaways, that’s why they’re the best in the league.
