(MCT) — CHICAGO — The Bears offense’s relative contributions, compared to those of the defense, haven’t represented a 100-percent match so far this season.
That could even up some soon as when the Bears visit the 3-5 Titans on Sunday.
With six interception returns for touchdowns already, the Bears defense has given more than a helping hand to the work-in-progress offense.
“It takes a lot of pressure off of us, so we can just play,” quarterback Jay Cutler said of the defensive scores. “We know that even though we might be struggling ... if we can get it figured out (offensively), we’re going to be right where we want to be at the end.”
After Tim Jennings’ pick-6 Sunday against the Panthers gave the Bears a 20-19 fourth-quarter lead, the offense finally got untracked for a game-winning scoring drive that culminated with Robbie Gould’s 41-yard field goal as time expired.
The defense’s exploits seem to energize the Bears’ often dormant offense.
“Momentum ... so we have to just play off each other,” receiver Brandon Marshall said of the attempt get in sync with the production of the Bears defense. “When we make a big play, the defense gets excited and vice versa.”
Jennings is confident that the Bears offense will have its day in the sun very soon.
“We feed off the offense and the offense feeds off of us ... we feed off special teams,” Jennings said. “If we have that kind of chemistry going, we have a great chance of winning.”
The Bears are tied for first in the NFL with the Giants with 16 interceptions.
“Things just happen right for us,” nickel back D.J. Moore, who has two interceptions, said. “You can see that once the defense makes a play (then) the offense makes a play and then the special teams.”
Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has had success in the past against the Bears, but he is wary.
“They’re on a roll and those things come in bunches,” Hasselbeck said Wednesday. “There are times when (defensive backs) are taking chances. A team that’s not on a roll, they don’t take those chances. The Bears understand the concept of the defense very well, they understand the concept of pass protection.
“You see guys jumping routes, it’s very obvious, but again the defense is playing together. It’s not like a rogue guy doing his own thing. It’s usually ‘Hey, I’m jumping this and have my back,’ so when they do give up a big play, it’s usually just an explosive gain as opposed to ... a touchdown.”
Moore agrees the Bears make calculated moves to create turnovers.
“Turnovers are coming from us doing what we’re supposed to do,” Moore said. “If we keep staying to our leverage side or running to the ball ... turnovers will keep happening for us.”
