WARE, United Kingdom – After tying for the NFL lead with 22 interceptions last year, the Bears are generating takeaways at an even higher rate this season.
They entered Week 6 ranked third in the league with 11 takeaways and are tied for tops in the NFL with five fumble recoveries. They are averaging 2.2 takeaways per game after averaging 1.6 per contest last year when they produced a total of 28.
"We've got a group of players that just really have embraced that part of our identity," said defensive coordinator Eric Washington. "We work on it every single day. We realize that in order to get that type of production, we have to go for it. We have to be cognizant of that. We have to be aware of it. And we have to make sure we're attacking the football from all angles at all times. And the guys have embraced that. They've done a nice job, and we want to continue that."
The defense forced three turnovers that the offense converted into two touchdowns and one field goal in last Sunday's 36-10 win over the Panthers at Soldier Field. The Bears are now 3-1 this year when producing at least two takeaways in a game.
Key addition
The ability to create turnovers was a main reason the Bears signed veteran safety Kevin Byard III during the offseason. The ninth-year pro displayed his ball skills last Sunday against the Panthers when he intercepted a deep Andy Dalton pass.
Byard's 29 interceptions since 2017 are tied for the most in the NFL with Falcons safety Justin Simmons and Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard.
"Kevin has tremendous ball production throughout his career, so there's nothing really surprising about that," Washington said "When you understood, No. 1, we were in a pressure concept, the quarterback decided to take a shot, so we had to maintain our position in the field and Kevin had to zone turn to put himself in position to stay over the top, to see the ball thrown and to just come down with that football after contorting himself."
Dynamic duo
Bears defensive tackles Gervon Dexter Sr. and Andrew Billings are beginning to emerge as one of the NFL's most productive interior line tandems.
Dexter has already established a career high with a team-leading 4.0 sacks. The 2023 second-round pick recorded one sack and four quarterback hits against the Panthers, becoming the first Bears defensive lineman to have a sack in four of the club's first five games of a season since Khalil Mack in 2021.
Asked what has impressed him most about Dexter, Washington said: "It would be easy to say the rush production, the sacks. But his overall energy and his understanding some of the little fine details of how to play defensive tackle, especially the three-technique position, but also how to play the nose. Occasionally he'll line up over the center. His assignments have almost been flawless. There have been no issues as far as him not being in the position to execute. That allows you to play extremely fast, and when you can do that, the production is soon to follow."
Billings also is performing at a high level, having recorded nine tackles, 1.0 sack, two-tackles-for-loss and three quarterback hits. After stints with the Bengals (2017-19), Browns (2021) and Raiders (2022), it appears the 6-1, 311-pounder is a perfect fit in the Bears defense.
"He has the requisite quickness," Washington said. "He's a big man, he's a powerful man and we need him to anchor the point of attack, especially versus mid-zone schemes. But at the same time, he has some quickness, and he has some range about him. We ask our nose tackles to cover from their alignment to the sideline, we ask them to collapse the pocket, to help us, to create population at the point of attack versus screen plays, and he can do all of those things.
"He takes pride in his versatility and his overall skillset and not just being a first- and second-down player but being able to impact the game on all three downs."
Injury update
Left guard Teven Jenkins (ankle) did not practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (calf) was added to the injury report after being limited in Thursday's workout. Nickel back Kyler Gordon (heel) practiced without restrictions after being limited Wednesday.
Safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion), defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin) and cornerback Terell Smith (hip) all have been ruled out of Sunday's game and did not travel with the Bears to London.
