Bears defense shows off depth, takeaway ability in win over Bengals

The splash plays on back-to-back drives showcased one of the Bears defense’s most valuable assets: depth.

Within the nickel back group, that consistency at every level of the depth chart manifests in the meeting rooms and on the practice field.

“Blackwell knows, everyone knows, [Greg] Stroman knows, all the nickels we have ready know — from vet to rookie — there’s no drop off,” Gordon said. “We hold a high standard in our room. We all get on each other and correct each other to be the best, so excellence is all we want.”

In addition to Gordon and Blackwell, the cornerbacks as a whole also showed off their playmaking abilities, highlighted by second-year pro Terell Smith.

During Cincinnati’s opening drive of the second half, Smith recorded the Bears’ second takeaway of the day, intercepting Woodside’s pass intended for receiver Cole Burgess at the Chicago 39.

“The receiver had a cut split, so I was really just thinking he was going to run a quick out or something fast, so I just played it slow at the top of the route and was able to jump it,” Smith said.