The Chicago Bears had multiple heroes in their win over the Houston Texans. The two men at the top were Khalil Herbert and Roquan Smith. Herbert racked up over 160 yards and two touchdowns. Smith had 16 tackles and the game-deciding interception late in the 4th quarter. Eddie Jackson also came up huge again with an interception in the end zone to halt a Texans drive in the 1st quarter. Those three guys stood out to boxscore hunters. However, people might miss how good Jaquan Brisker was if they went back to the tape.
The rookie safety had six tackles on the afternoon. That isn’t much to think about, but he was at the forefront of two enormous moments for the Bears defense. First was that Jackson interception. Put simply, it doesn’t happen without him. At the snap, Houston wanted tight end Pharaoh Brown to run a pick play for wide receiver Brandin Cooks. That is where he runs to the outside, clouding the lane in front of cornerback Kindle Vildor and freeing up Cooks for the easy score. Brisker doesn’t allow that to happen. He jams Brown at the line of scrimmage, allowing Vildor to stay with Cooks long enough to deflect Davis Mills’ pass, which Jackson easily intercepts.
The other big play wasn’t as flashy. Late in the 3rd quarter, Houston was deep in Bears territory. They had the ball at the 5-yard line and handed it off to Rex Burkhead. Brisker screams down into the box and is the first to hit the running back, limiting him to a 3-yard gain. That might seem trivial until Roquan Smith blasted Dameon Pierce for a 3-yard loss on the next play to force a field goal.
Jaquan Brisker is doing the dirty work and it’s paying off.
When he got drafted in April, one of the first things mentioned was he’d be able to fill that role Adrian Amos mastered during his time with the Bears. He could play down on the line of scrimmage but still be a factor in coverage. That versatility would enable Jackson to do what he does best by using his instincts to rob QBs in coverage. Now Jackson has two interceptions in three games. It is the revenge season everybody waited for.
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None of it happens without Jaquan Brisker doing the dirty work. Don’t be fooled by the stat box. The Bears rookie has been such a welcome addition to that defense. There are moments where the inexperience is evident. Even so, he impacts the game in ways many veterans can’t. Thinking about what he can become as he continues mastering the system is scary.
Dude is blue collar working hard! Love seeing a legit SS get dirty and lay the boom down and help make plays happen. Since Amos left the Bears secondary has been trash. Glad this kid is bringing respectability back to this part of the game for Chicago.
Nice to note Brisker’s effort.
I keyed on him all game. He brings a speed and physicality that aren’t to be messed with. Plays super intelligently as well. No doubt there will be a learning curve but really excited about him and his future.
@Gator Joe… totally agree with all your sentiments. I really really like Brisker. I may be biased slightly since he’s from Pittsburgh, as am I. But the kid is going to be so dam good!! And some people are down on Gordon.. But he’s tough, and getting better. And playing the toughest position on the defensive side of the ball. I think he will ultimately be very good.
Brisker is going to be a probowler. Give it about 2 years. Gordon is slowly getting better as he sees things better. Nickel is one of the hardest positions to master. Needs to watch film of the greats at the position. I’m glad all these rookies are playing this year. That’s how you get the core of a young team going. Play young guys.