LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Tank Johnson’s off-the-field issues have made this a very trying season for the Bears defensive tackle. But that didn’t prevent him from delivering a key play in Sunday’s overtime playoff win over the Seahawks.

Trying to snap a 24-24 tie with just :24 remaining in the fourth quarter, Seattle faced third-and-10 from the Chicago 45-yard line when Johnson sacked quarterback Matt Hasselbeck for a 9-yard loss.

Tank Johnson sacks Matt Hasselbeck late in Sunday's overtime win over the Seahawks.

“It got them out of field goal range for sure,” said defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. “It didn’t give them a chance to throw the ball, and it’s one of those things that you can feed off in terms of the energy. You make a big play and you don’t allow them to do something else, and I think the guys really fed off it.”

Teammates have been impressed with Johnson’s ability to overcome adversity. He was arrested Dec. 14 on misdemeanor weapons charges and watched the next day as his close friend, Willie B. Posey, was shot and killed at a Chicago nightclub.

“A lot of people would have folded under the pressure he’s been under, the things he’s been through t he last month or so,” said defensive end Alex Brown. “Tank’s a man. He understands what’s going on. I believe that this is like an outlet for him. He comes out here and he plays.”

Johnson is very popular among his teammates.

“He’s a great young man and the guys in this locker room love him and I think that’s important,” Rivera said. “Teams that become championship teams have a special bond and I think there is a special bond with Tank Johnson.

“He is a young man who has made some tough decisions, some things that happened. But we also understand who Tank Johnson is. The guys in this locker room love him and respect him and are pulling for him to succeed.”

Johnson celebrated Sunday’s thrilling win with teammates but admitted that the moment was bittersweet.

“To be able to move on to the next round of the playoffs is a gratifying feeling and I’m very happy for a lot of different people,” he said. “I’m just kind of upset my buddy’s not here to see it.”

In the running: Rivera is reportedly one of three finalists for the head-coaching job with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The other two candidates are Steelers offensive line coach Russ Grimm and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin.

Rivera has also interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins. The Cardinals hired Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, the Falcons landed Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino and the Dolphins could hire a head coach this week.

That would preclude Rivera from taking the job because he is not permitted to speak with any NFL teams about job openings until after the Bears are eliminated from the playoffs. 

In a rush: Israel Idonije was an unsung hero in Sunday’s win, charging up the middle in overtime and nearly blocking rookie Ryan Plackemeier’s punt. The reserve defensive lineman’s strong rush resulted in an 18-yard punt that went out of bounds at the Chicago 34.

The Bears then gained 34 yards on seven plays—with the majority coming on a 30-yard reception by Rashied Davis on third-and-10—to set up Robbie Gould’s game-winning 49-yard field goal.

“I just went to the side,” Idonije said. “It was too close of a game for me to lay out and bowl him (over and possibly draw a penalty). I looked back and it went hard right, so it was mission accomplished.”

Don’t look now: Quarterback Rex Grossman admitted that he could barely look as Gould lined up to try the game-winner.

“I didn’t want to watch it,” Grossman said. “I didn’t see the hold or anything. I was just waiting around and I saw the ball in the air. I just followed the ball. It was unbelievable. What a great win. I’m excited for Robbie. He’s a clutch kicker.”