Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
When was the last time a Bears player scored two defensive touchdowns in the same game?
Tom H.
New Castle, Indiana
Rookie safety Eddie Jackson became the first Bears player to accomplish the feat since Fred "Dippy" Evans on Nov. 28, 1948 in a 48-13 win over the Washington Redskins at Wrigley Field. Evans scored his touchdowns on fumble returns of 10 and 16 yards just :53 apart in the first quarter to stake the Bears to a 20-0 lead. The win over the Redskins enabled the Bears to improve to 9-1 and remain tied with the Chicago Cardinals atop the NFL's Western Division. Unfortunately, the Bears lost to the Cardinals 24-21 a week later in the season finale. The Cardinals then lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 7-0 in the NFL Championship Game. Evans, by the way, was a Notre Dame product who appeared in just three games with the Bears, all in 1948.
Watching the Bears dominate on defense and do little on offense reminds me of the Bears teams from 1985 and 2006. Which Bears team does the current one remind you most of?
Allan L.
White Plaines, New York
While the Bears had much better defenses in 1985 and 2006, they wouldn't have been able to reach the Super Bowl on both occasions—and win it in 1985—without a more-than-capable offense. The Bears team the current one reminds me most of right at this point is the 2005 squad that was powered by a young up-and-coming defense and an offense that relied on a power running game while developing a rookie quarterback in Kyle Orton. I understand that the scenarios are different—Orton was a fourth-round pick who started only after Rex Grossman was injured and Chad Hutchinson was released while Mitchell Trubisky was the second overall pick in the draft. But the makeup of the 2005 team reminds me of this one.
I've been so impressed with the Bears defense. When was the last time the defense didn't allow a touchdown in back-to-back games?
Michael K.
Evanston, Illinois
The Bears defense has not permitted a touchdown in back-to-back games for the first time since 2005. The interesting thing about that nugget is that the defense accomplished that feat three separate times in 2005 against the Lions and Bengals, Vikings and Ravens and 49ers and Panthers. Coincidentally, they play all six of those teams this season as well.
