CHICAGO (670 The Score) – Bears safety Eddie Jackson is a veteran of many games like the one that played out Thursday night, with Chicago’s defense holding strong and making just enough plays to lead the way to a 16-13 win against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field.
The Bears defense dictated the game by flustering Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young and holding Carolina to 213 yards of total offense and no offensive touchdowns. It was an effort that showcased the continued growth in Chicago’s defense. And for Jackson, it was a performance that reminded him of Bears defenses of the past – and hopefully signaled what’s to come in the future.
“We’re going to keep fighting,” Jackson said. “We’re going to keep chopping wood. No matter what happens, no matter the circumstances, everybody on the field is going to rally around each other and we’re going to go out there and make plays. We’re just showing what we can do when everybody is on the same page, attention to detail, everyone is locked in. That’s just a preview of it.”
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young was 21-of-38 for 185 yards. The Panthers’ rushing attack also never got moving as it was held to 2.7 yards per carry by the Bears, who entered the evening with the fourth-ranked run defense in the NFL. The Panthers were just 3-of-15 on third-down conversions.
In the Bears’ victorious locker room, head coach Matt Eberflus awarded the game ball to the entire defense.
"I felt like the defense, we dominated the whole game,” Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson said.
“It was just going out there and keep getting the ball back for our offense."
Trailing 16-13 in the fourth quarter, the Panthers embarked from their own 9-yard line on a 15-play, 50-yard drive before the Bears’ defense held. The drive ended with kicker Eddy Pineiro missing a game-tying 59-yard field-goal attempt. It would’ve been his career-long make, but he came up well short.
On a third-and-7 play with 1:26 remaining, Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent then hit receiver Darnell Mooney for a first down, allowing the offense to go into victory formation and run out the clock.
It was a performance that left the Bears with pride in what their defense showcased.
"It was fun,” said new pass rusher Montez Sweat, who generated eight quarterback pressures, according to Next Gen Stats. “A defensive game, I wouldn't want it any other way."
For his part, Eberflus adjusted the Bears’ defense with disguised looks to counter Panthers head coach Frank Reich, under whom he previously served as the Colts’ defensive coordinator for four seasons.
Eberflus and Reich share a close connection and know each other well. This time around, it was Eberflus’ defense – and his team – that emerged victorious.
The Bears believe their defensive showing was proof of great progress.
“We’re going to see what we’re really capable of on that side of the ball,” Jackson said.
“We want to just continue to build off that and keep it going.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.