Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson bounces back in big way with takeaway, solid performance in 31-14 win over Cowboys
The whiplash-inducing career of cornerback Tyrique Stevenson took a turn in the right direction Sunday.
He was the catalyst in the Bears’ 31-14 victory against the Cowboys.
The offense opened with a thudding three-and-out, and it looked bleak quickly as the Cowboys drove into scoring range. That could’ve been the beginning of a rough day for the Bears if not for Stevenson.
As Cowboys running back Javonte Williams broke away for a 22-yard run, Stevenson caught him from behind and wrested the ball from his arm for a takeaway. Given a second chance, the offense went from its 24-yard line for a touchdown, finishing on a 35-yard pass from Caleb Williams to Rome Odunze.
That sparked a fire that never went out.
“For Tyrique to make a play like that, it energized the team,” Williams said. “Us being able to get the ball back right there and start the scoring and set the momentum for us was important.”
Stevenson, who got torched in the first two games, is more important than ever after the Bears put Jaylon Johnson on injured reserve. They’re also missing Kyler Gordon, who has yet to play because of a hamstring injury.
Stevenson also had a key pass breakup on quarterback Dak Prescott’s throw to George Pickens in the red zone in the second quarter. Safety Jaquan Brisker nearly picked off the fluttering ball, and the Cowboys settled for a field goal.
“Tyrique had a really nice bounce-back game,” coach Ben Johnson said. “He’s capable of being a big-time player in this league, and he played that way today.”
Stevenson wasn’t available in the locker room after the game, but Brisker said, “You could tell he was locked in, starting off Monday. He was in the building very early, on the field early. He did his thing.”
Players-only meeting
Disgusted by the ugly start to the season, Brisker said he and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett called a players-only meeting for the defense Wednesday.
The majority of that conversation was about refocusing the group on playing to its standards after blowing a 17-6 lead in the fourth quarter against the Vikings and getting battered 52-21 by the Lions.
“We’re talking about being the best defense in Bears history and top five in the league — you can’t give up 50 points,” Brisker said. “We had to get everything off our chest and be on the same page.”
That same day, Ben Johnson scolded the Bears because the Lions “played a little bit harder than us. Our practice habits are yet to reflect a championship-caliber team.”
The Bears held the Cowboys to 3-for-11 on third downs, 1-for-4 converting touchdowns in the red zone and got four takeaways: Stevenson’s strip, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds’ two interceptions and safety Kevin Byard’s interception.
Prescott completed 31 of 40 passes for 251 yards and one touchdown and threw an interception for an 80.3 passer rating. Montez Sweat and Dominique Robinson had the Bears’ sacks.
Wright all right
Right tackle Darnell Wright missed some time after hurting his right elbow in the second quarter and went to the locker room. The Bears replaced him with Theo Benedet.
Wright continued working with the training staff on the bench, repeatedly flexing and squeezing his right hand, and eventually returned. Johnson said it wasn’t a long-term concern.
Wright got flagged for holding and being an ineligible man downfield. Coming in, he was the NFL’s third-most-penalized offensive lineman with four in the first two games.
Notes
The Bears have four touchdowns in the first quarter this season. They had three in 2024.
† Hall of Famer Devin Hester fired up the crowd in the north end zone before the game.
† The Bears’ 19-play drive in the third quarter had the most plays in one possession in the league this season. That was their most since a 2009 game at the Ravens.