Bear Digest

Jaylon Johnson fill-in shocks Vikings with 74-yard Pick Six to stretch Bears' lead

Nahshon Wright stepped in front of All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson for a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown to give the Bears a 17-6 lead.
Richie Whitt|
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) rushes the ball against the Minnesota Vikings
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) rushes the ball against the Minnesota Vikings | David Banks-Imagn Images

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Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears were worried sick all week about the availability of starting cornerback Jaylon Johnson. But it's his backup that just put the Bears firmly in control of their Monday Night Football s showdown against the Minnesota Vikings.

With Johnson out with a calf injury, fill-in Nahshon Wright stepped in front of Vikings' star receiver Justin Jefferson and produced an electrifying 74-yard Pick Six that pushed Chicago's lead to 17-6 early in the third quarter at Soldier Field.

MORE: Bears' QB Caleb Williams sends message to Vikings with Brian Urlacher jersey

Nursing only a four-point lead and with the Vikings already in field-goal range but facing 3rd-and-8, quarterback J.J. McCarthy was late on an out-route throw to Jefferson. Wright easily read the play, picked off the pass and raced down the sideline untouched. Wright was earlier called for a 42-yard pass interference penalty that set up Minnesota's first points of the game.

MORE: Caleb Williams makes emphatic statement with opening drive against the Vikings

While Caleb Williams got the Bears off to a hot start by completing his first 10 passes and running for a touchdown, it's Dennis Allen's defense that is dominating the night. Chicago has three sacks, the Pick Six and has limited the Vikings to 77 yards of offense.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs the ball against Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright (25) in the
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs the ball against Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright (25) in the preseason | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.

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