Brisker's pick took the Bears' interception total to eight — the second-most in the league behind the Jaguars, who have 10 while playing one more game. Five different Bears players have recorded picks this season. Safety Kevin Byard III leads the way with three, which is tied for second in the NFL, Edmunds has two and cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson and Nahshon Wright, along with Brisker, each have one.
"Starting in practice, coach Al [Harris], all the coaches say we need three or four interceptions, and guys are staying true to that," Brisker said. "Guys are hungry, ball hungry. We want the ball. So, you could tell."
Brisker described the entire defense as "ball hungry," adding that "once one gets started, the [takeaways] come in bunches." That sentiment once again proved true in Washington as the Bears forced another turnover on the Commanders' second drive.
With two minutes remaining in the first quarter, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt took a handoff five yards behind the line of scrimmage and ran left. Defensive end Montez Sweat came from the opposite side of the line, jumped over an offensive lineman and knocked the ball loose as Croskey-Merritt tried to spin out of a tackle. Linebacker T.J. Edwards swarmed to the ball and recovered the fumble.
The forced fumble was Sweat's first of the year and 13th of his career. Stepping up against the team that drafted him in 2019 was an important moment to Sweat.
"I was just coming down the line," Sweat told ChicagoBears.com. "I saw the ball, and I punched at it. It felt great to impact the game in that way. The entire D-line did a great job of setting the edge and bouncing the runner back to me, and I just capitalized on the opportunity. It's something that we've practiced very hard at, something that the coaches preach very hard. And when you win the turnover battle, you put yourself in a good position to win the game."