After missing last weekend's season opener in Detroit with an ankle injury, veteran outside linebacker Robert Quinn made an immediate impact Sunday at Soldier Field.
On his first play as a member of the Bears, the prized free-agent acquisition burst around the edge and sacked Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, forcing a fumble that was recovered by fellow outside linebacker Khalil Mack at the New York 20.
The takeaway set up Cairo Santos' 34-yard field goal, enabling the Bears to extend their lead to 10-0 with 4:36 left in the first quarter en route to a 17-13 victory.
"A talent like his isn't to be taken lightly in this league," said defensive tackle Akiem Hicks. "He's somebody that can come off the edge with such ferocity and speed that he changes the math for the offense. They've got to figure out a way to stop him."
Quinn now has 81.5 sacks in 10 NFL seasons with the Rams (2011-17), Dolphins (2018), Cowboys (2019) and Bears (2020). Last year, he led Dallas with 11.5 sacks in 14 games.
The Bears registered four sacks in Sunday's win. In addition to Quinn, Mack, Hicks and outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo also recorded sacks.
First pick: The defense generated a second takeaway in the first half when safety Deon Bush stepped in front of tight end Evan Engram to intercept a Jones pass over the middle.
"I was in coverage and I saw Daniel Jones throw the ball, and I broke on it and [I'm] happy I came up with the pick," Bush said.
It was the first NFL interception for Bush, who has played predominantly on special teams in 56 games over five seasons with the Bears. After the pick, Bush gave the ball to equipment manager Tony Medlin for safe-keeping.
"That's my first one, so I'm definitely going to put that in a box," Bush said. "Hopefully I get more."
Unfortunate injury: Giants star running back Saquon Barkley sustained what is believed to be a season-ending torn right ACL on the first play of the second quarter when he was tackled by Eddie Jackson.
Bears coach Matt Nagy opened his postgame press conference with a message of support to the third-year pro.
"First off, I want to start by saying our thoughts are out there in regards to Saquon," Nagy said. "Hopefully he's OK. We have so much respect for him as a player, so I hope he's OK."
Scary situation: The Bears received their own injury scare with their starting running back early in the second quarter when David Montgomery hurt his neck. The second-year pro was injured when he landed on his head and shoulder after trying to hurdle a defensive lineman.
"[I'm] really just grateful that I was OK," Montgomery said. "When it happened, it was kind of scary. [But] I knew I was fine when I was able to move my neck. I was still conscious. I was fine."
Montgomery was initially examined in the injury tent behind the Bears' bench before he walked under his own power to the locker room. The 2019 third-round pick returned to start the second half and played the remainder of the game.
Catch this: Ten different Bears players caught passes Sunday. They included a pair of rookies in receiver Darnell Mooney, who scored his first NFL touchdown on a 15-yard pass from Mitchell Trubisky; and tight end Cole Kmet, whose 12-yard reception in the first half was the first catch of his NFL career.
The most unusual reception came in a key moment in the fourth quarter. With the Bears protecting a 17-13 lead and facing fourth-and-2 at the Giants' 36, Trubisky's pass intended for tight end Jimmy Graham was deflected by a Giants defender. Veteran right tackle Bobby Massie alertly caught the ball and dove forward for a 4-yard gain and an important first down.
"That's not how we drew it up," Trubisky joked. "They zoned us out. I was just trying to get it in there to Jimmy. They did a good job knocking it down. Luckily, it ended in Bobby's hands, his first career catch in a huge situation. We got lucky. But sometimes when you're playing hard, the ball bounces your way."
