Five Things We Learned: Bears-Jaguars
October, 7, 2012
10/07/12
10:56
PM CT
By
Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Here are Five Things We Learned in the Chicago Bears' 41-3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
1. The defense continues to save the day: Where would this team be without the defense? The amount of sacks, turnovers and defensive touchdowns so far this year has been remarkable. Need a big play to jumpstart a sluggish Bears offense? Here's a Charles Tillman 36-yard interception return for a score. Want to put an exclamation point going into the bye week? Here's Lance Briggs with another pick-six of his own. Tillman and Briggs are now the only two teammates to have each returned an interception for a touchdown in consecutive weeks. I've resisted calling this defense better than the 2006 unit that helped carry the Bears to the Super Bowl XLI, but I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out.
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Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesJay Cutler has yet to prove that he can deliver under pressure this season.
3. Charles Tillman could be the best Bears DB in history: If he's not, then Tillman is certainly in the team photo. Look at the numbers: eight defensive touchdowns (No. 1 in team history), 32 interceptions for a cornerback (tied for No. 1 in team history), 30 forced fumbles (tied for No. 5 in the NFL since 2003), 131 career starts and eight seasons of 80-plus tackles. He can do it all. Not only that, Tillman plays hurt. He's gutted it out over the years despite a variety of injuries and still performs at a high level. Tillman’s current deal expires after the 2013 season, but the way he's going, it seems reasonable to wonder if one more contract extension is on the horizon.
4. Bears need more out of Gabe Carimi: The Bears’ first drive in the third quarter was a nightmare for Carimi when he surrendered a sack and got whistled for false start penalties on back-to-back plays. That sequence of events came after Carimi got nailed for a holding penalty in the second quarter that wiped out a Kellen Davis 12-yard gain. I firmly believe Carimi can be a very good offensive tackle in this league, but we just haven't seen it yet on a consistent basis. For all the grief J'Marcus Webb gets for his play on the left side, Carimi hasn't been much better on the right side. Carimi is a first round-pick. It's time he starts playing like one.
5. There is no doubting Michael Bush's athleticism: I really haven't heard people question whether or not Bush is an all-purpose back lately. Most Bears fans have accepted the fact Bush is much more than a power back built for the red zone. But if you're still on the fence, get off it. Bush hurdled a Jacksonville defender on Sunday and kept running. Yes, 6-foot-1, 245-pound Michael Bush jumped clear over a guy in the open field. The Bears are at their best with Matt Forte (107 yards), but Bush (26 yards on four carries) still looks one of the best No. 2 tailbacks in the league every time he touches the football. The Bears are lucky to have him.

- jmarcuswebb J'Marcus Webb
@KevinMcAlliste6lop
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- ESPNChiBears Jeff Dickerson
#Bears hire Mitchell Tanney as director of analytics.
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- 55Berger lance briggs
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- jmarcuswebb J'Marcus Webb
Headed towards by mega workout! Preparing to kick some a-- @ training camp! http://t.co/kwZ0fvwQC4
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- peanuttillman Charles Tillman
“@mikefab2: @peanuttillman Today is my bday. How about a peanut punch t?” Happy birthday
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Congrats to @DrJeffypoo on winning #BriggsTriviaTuesday. Check your DM. Thank you to all who participated. Another question next week.
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- 55Berger lance briggs
81 Days...
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- HenMel Henry Melton
Reading all the tweets from last night thinking that the game was over and spurs had it won..y'all know better it ain't over till it's over!
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- ESPNChiBears Jeff Dickerson
A tremendous honor for @danpompei - selected as the 2013 Pro Football Writers' McCann Award winner for excellence in covering the game.
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- ESPNChiBears Jeff Dickerson
Last day of vacation for @Jurko64 , so I'll be filling in again today with @CarmenDeFalco from 10-2 on @ESPN1000 and @ESPNChicago.
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