The Bears defensive line came out firing at Soldier Field Monday night — their first time in game action as a collective unit since the offseason additions of veteran tackle Grady Jarrett and end Dayo Odeyingbo.
On each of the Vikings' first two drives, the Bears recorded third-down sacks, helping contribute to the defense's overall success on third down. The unit didn't allow a third-down conversion through the first three quarters.
"It was fun," Odeyingbo told ChicagoBears.com. "Obviously we had some time to kind of gel together in training camp, but having the first full game, it's fun to see everyone's personality on game day and feed off each other's energy. I think we rushed well together.
"I think we have a good understanding of how each other likes to rush and be able to condense the pocket off of that, then turn pressures into sacks."
The Bears' first sack of the season came courtesy of third-year tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. On third-and-2, the front four defenders all closed in on Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who attempted to step up in the pocket, but was caught by Dexter.
"It felt good," Dexter told ChicagoBears.com. "I think it always feel good when you get a sack, but for the home opener, first game, it feels even better. I think I was super excited to be back at Soldier and be out there with the guys."
Odeyingbo recorded the Bears' second sack, hitting McCarthy in the pocket and forcing him to roll forward for a 2-yard loss on third-and-4.
"Dayo brings a lot of effort and skill," defensive end Montez Sweat told ChicagoBears.com. "He brings a new standard to the defense that you have to match. Dayo is a great player. He creates 1-on-1s and he just brings good energy to the D-line, always giving me reminders and things like that, because he's a very smart player as well."
The Bears' final sack came in the third quarter when defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon — who was elevated from the practice squad before Monday's game — pushed past left tackle Justin Skule and wrapped up McCarthy for a 6-yard loss.
The beauty of all three Bears sacks, and the defensive line's play as a whole, was how it was never just one player who caused them.
Dexter and Odeyingbo's sacks in the first quarter were a result of their three counterparts putting pressure on the Vikings offensive line and McCarthy. Sweat credited that cohesiveness to the group "working really hard over training camp" and to the coaches' game plan.
Dexter added: "There were a lot of times where someone won and the other person ended up getting a sack or just cleaning each other up. It's stuff that groups who have been together for a awhile usually do well, so for it to only be Week 1, I think we did pretty well together."
The Bears defense recorded six tackles-for-loss and five passes defensed Monday, two of which came from defensive lineman batting down passes at the line of scrimmage.
Sweat was responsible for two TFLs and one batted down pass, but his biggest contributions to his team didn't show up on the stat sheet.
"With a guy like 'Tez, obviously he's always gonna draw the attention to him," Dexter said, "and because of the work that he's done in this league and the way he's made a name for himself, he'll always get those chips and those slides and stuff. So just having a guy like that who can get some of that attention, it makes it easier for the other guys, obviously.
"That stuff is gonna go unnoticed for the most part. I think as we get better and as hopefully one of us can make a bigger name [for themselves], spread it around, the whole D-line can eat."
While the unit takes pride in its productive outing, they're disappointed in the overall result from Monday night and are focused on making corrections ahead of Week 2's game in Detroit Sunday.
"It always feels good to take down the other team's quarterback at the end of the day, especially early in the game, so it felt good," Odeyingbo said. "Now, it just comes down to having to finish better."
