What Bears Knowing the Situation Can Mean

At one time the Bears couldn't get a takeaway.

Now they're coming so fast they feel they can be choosy. Or at least with the Matt Eberflus defensive scheme taking hold, they have to decide really fast which ones they should accept.

It's all about situational football and improving at it.

The Bears had a few situations in recent games when they should have actually dropped interceptions or simply downed the ball instead of intercepting or returning it. If they're going to be taking it away so often, they may need to become more aware of the moment.

They've also had some dropped interceptions and missed pick-6 opportunities, cornerback Jaylon Johnson in particular, but those are bang-bang plays they merely need to make.

The situational aspect of football can be addressed and understood on a play-by-play or game-by-game basis and Johnson was involved on another of those Sunday in the 28-13 win over Detroit.

On fourth-and-10 at the Bears 35, Lions coach Dan Campbell tried to pull off one of his famed gambles instead of trying for a 52- or 53-yard field goal, and it backfired as Johnson picked off a pass for Sam LaPorta at the Bears 15.

However, the play nearly backfired on Johnson. He could have knocked down the ball at the Bears 15 for an incompletion and possession would have been Chicago's at its own. He picked it and tried returning it, fumbled and was fortunate when the ball went out of bounds.

Ultimately, the entire return was moot when Eddie Jackson was flagged for an illegal block above the waist and the Bears took over at their own 12. But the situational aspect was pertinent to the future.

"Yeah, that was interesting because that was a fourth down play," Bears linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi said. "So on third down we pressured, then on fourth down, you know, so again, I think that does create some indecision a little bit and Jaylon made a great play. It was a really good return, just gotta hold onto the ball."

The percentage play was knocking it down and ending the drive. Then, no penalty on the return and no fumble.

However, it's Eberflus' goal of takeaways and scoring on defense. You can't do it without the ball.

Later in the game, Tremaine Edmunds was more situationally inclined. Detroit trailed 28-13 with 2:39 to play and Jared Goff's deep pass was picked off by Tremaine Edmunds on fourth-and-24 at the Bears 38. They would have also benefited there just by knocking the ball to the ground because it would have been Chicago ball at Detroit's 38.

However, field position meant less then with a 15-point lead. The Bears were just going to run out the clock and end the game. If it had been closer, then the field position would have been vital.

"Yeah, situational football, Tremaine at the end of the game he got the interception and he went down," Borgonzi said. "So we have calls within it in those situations. We call it 'No Mas'—just get the interception and get down.

"Jaylon's interception, it's fourth down, and you could knock it down and say, 'Hey, we get better field position for the offense if you knock it down,' " Borgonzi said. "But if he scores a touchdown, everybody is saying, 'Hey, that's a great decision to score.' So I think in moments like that, you let the instincts kind of play off. I don't think anybody faulted him for the interception. I know Jaylon probably enjoyed it."

Something similar happened to Edmunds in the first Detroit game on fourth down but it was earlier in the game and not as far downfield when he made an interception.

Perhaps in years past these situations wouldn't seem as big but coaches in today's NFL are being more aggressive on fourth down, which can mean these situations popping up on occasion.

What is certain is they'd all enjoy it much more if they could actually make the pick and go back all the way. There would be no questions about strategies with a pick-6.

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