Brisker: Bears defense has to "be cleaner" despite strong performance

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 3 hours ago

CHICAGO - Chicago’s defense has been dominant through its four-game winning streak. While they allowed a touchdown right before halftime and another right after halftime to the New Orleans Saints in their most recent game, the defense did not allow the Saints to score again.

Nonetheless, those scores have still been a point of emphasis as the Bears prepare for the Baltimore Ravens on Sun. Oct. 26 (Noon / CBS), since Chicago would ideally like to prevent those scores going forward.

“Had a huge explosive. We could have been better with the rush, blitzing and (then) we had a play where we just had to be cleaner and they got the touchdown, the first one, then the second one,” safety Jaquan Brisker said. “Also, we got to be cleaner. So, all those touchdowns were really on us and us as a defense just has to be cleaner, be in better spots and they won’t get those touchdowns and we got to eliminate more of the explosives.”

For the third time this season, Chicago’s defense had four turnovers en route to its 26-14 win over New Orleans. One of those was a pick from cornerback Nahshon Wright that he returned for 38 yards which ultimately led to a Bears touchdown by running back D’Andre Swift.

It was Wright’s second interception of the year and his first since his pick-six in the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

“It was a big return. He’s been having some nice returns. Obviously, he scored the first game, give us our first touchdown and I honestly thought he was going to score again,” Brisker said. “But, he gave us a huge return, nice cut back ability and he almost did. But, I feel like we’re going to get a couple more touchdowns very soon. So, very significant return. Big for offense, great for the team.”

The Saints game was a bit of a revenge for Chicago’s defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. After his defense’s performance of generating four turnovers, having four sacks, and only allowing 44 rushing yards, head coach Ben Johnson gave him the game ball.

It was a moment that Brisker enjoyed, as it gave the team a chance to see a more emotional side to Allen.

“That emotion was great to be honest. He was turned up. I like that. He was out of his element, not acting like he’s all super tough and things like that. But, it was good to see him having fun, joining with the players and the coaches and just the rest of the locker room,” Brisker said. “It was amazing and especially giving the game ball, especially against his former team and things like that. It was pretty cool, especially a cool feeling for me. Really ain’t seen that in a while, especially getting a game ball.”

As Chicago prepares to face the Ravens, Allen will have to create more of those exotic plays he enjoys. These plays have particularly shown themselves on third downs.

Brisker said, regardless of the distance, Allen can turn up the heat with exotic looks, and it does not always have to come on a blitz.

“Just a lot of exotic, different looks. Maybe sometimes we’ll blitz. Sometimes we won’t. Sometimes we’ll go back and drop eight. There’s so many different things we have. That’s what I like about it,” Brisker said. “Once we get third and long, third and medium, things like that, we get to have fun. Really, third and short too. So, whenever we get on third down, it’s good for us.”