Everything is coming up in fours this week.
The Chicago Bears won their fourth game in a row for the first time since 2018.
The Bears defense forced four turnovers.
Jake Moody made four field goals on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, just like he did last week in his Bears’ debut in a victory over the Washington Commanders.
I was at the game with my dad. It was the fourth time he’s been to Soldier Field, and the fourth time he’s seen the Bears win there.
It was a successful Sunday for the most part
at Soldier Field, as the Bears defeated the Saints 26-14. Sure, it wasn’t Caleb Williams’ best game, but not every game is going to be. And good teams find a way to lift up the team when one phase isn’t delivering. The Bears are on their way to being a good team, if they aren’t already.
Let’s get to the game balls.
Offense Game Ball: RB D’Andre Swift
Chicago, it’s true. We finally have a ground game. After failing to get anything going on the ground in the team’s first four games, Swift followed up his outstanding outing in Washington with another gem of a game at home against the Saints.
Swift rushed for 124 yards on 19 carries (6.5 average), one touchdown, and one catch for 14 yards. He was the dynamic running back every Bears fans hoped they were getting when he was signed last year, and he’s put together two outstanding outings in a row.
Altogether, the Bears’ rushed for 222 yards (the Saints only had 44!). Rookie Kyle Monongai was also terrific, picking up his first touchdown as a pro while also getting 13 carries for 81 yards (6.2 average). It appears the Bears have found their thunder and lightning.
Defense Game Ball: LB Tremaine Edmunds
An absolutely outstanding game from a guy who is showing everyone why the Bears signed him last year.
Edmunds was all over the field on Sunday, registering nine total tackles (six solo), one sack, one tackle for loss, a pass defended, an interception, and a QB hit.
Here’s a stat for you: Edmunds has 47 total tackles in his last four games. He’s been one of the key pieces in the re-emergence of the Bears defense this season. And his three interceptions so far this year ranks third in the league.
Truthfully, the defense game ball could have gone to many people this week. Kevin Byard had another interception (the 33rd of his career), which ties him with Devin Lloyd of the Jaguars for most in the league this season. In fact, Byard leads the league altogether in interceptions since 2016, his first year in the league, and he didn’t even have any his rookie season. So that means he’s spotted all other defenders a one year head start and still leads the league in picks since that point. That’s wild!
TJ Edwards and Kyler Gordon continue to be two of the primary reasons the Bears’ run defense has improved over the last few weeks. Jaquan Brisker had a big game, too. And Montez Sweat is starting to look like the old Montez Sweat.
Now, let’s hope that injury to Tyrique Stevenson isn’t as serious as it looked to be because we can’t keep losing guys in the secondary.
Special Teams Game Ball: K Jake Moody
For the second week in a row, it has to be Moody. The conditions at Soldier Field were awful. It was wet. The wind was swirling and unpredictable.
Yet, Moody (filling in for the second week in a row for injured K Cairo Santos) was 4/4 on field goals and 2/2 on extra points. He connected from 27, 39, 24, and 33. It was a great follow-up to last week’s performance when he walked it off with the game winner over the Commanders.
I saw Moody making his way out on the field several times when there were timeouts in the game on Sunday to check the wind, always keeping himself prepared for the next kick. This was an admirable job for a guy who has only been with the team for a few weeks, kicking in an unpredictable environment, and walking away perfect on the day.
Bryan Orenchuk and myself will have plenty to say this week on a new episode of Bears Over Beers. We’ll be live on Wednesday night on the 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel, or available on demand via your favorite podcasting platform after. Our 2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel is available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Audacy, and other popular podcast platforms.
Who would have received your game balls? Let us know in the comments section below.
