Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
National
Mark Potash

Bears’ defense flexes its muscles — until it really counts

Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring on a seven-yard pass from Jared Goff to cap a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in the final 1:47 of the first half Sunday at Ford Field. It gave the Lions a 14-10 halftime lead. (Duane Burleson/AP)

DETROIT — There’s not enough money in the NFL salary cap to buy the mental toughness the Bears’ defense desperately needs. You have to develop that on your own — through the heat of battle and in real time.

The Bears learned that hard lesson in a dispiriting 31-26 loss Sunday to the Lions at Ford Field. With linebacker Tremaine Edmunds returning after missing two games and with defensive end Montez Sweat playing for the first time with a full week of practice, the Bears’ defense was as strong as it has been in two seasons under coach Matt Eberflus.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.