After Tyrique Stevenson intercepted Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco on Dec. 17, the Chicago Bears cornerback returned to his locker to search out “like 30 missed calls” from his mother, some accompanied by messages of her yelling into her telephone with pleasure.
When the rookie got here up with two interceptions in a recreation for the primary time Sunday within the 37-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field, his mother despatched him a video she made.
“She was talking about, ‘Two interceptions, whoop, whoop!’” Stevenson mentioned. “I’m like, ‘C’mon mom.’”
He hadn’t checked out his telephone but after follow Wednesday at Halas Hall, however he anticipated to search out one other excited response, this one for turning into the primary Bears participant to win NFC defensive participant of the week since Eddie Jackson in 2018.
Stevenson was given the award for his efficiency in opposition to the Falcons, through which he additionally had 5 tackles and 4 passes defended to go along with his two picks.
There has been lots to love lately from the Bears’ second-round select of Miami. All 4 of Stevenson’s interceptions this season have are available his final 5 video games. While navigating typical rookie highs and lows in 15 video games this season, he has totaled 79 tackles, 15 passes defended and a pressured fumble. He missed the Nov. 27 Minnesota Vikings recreation with an ankle harm.
“I just really settled down in my game,” Stevenson mentioned. “Just going out there understanding that I’m meant to be here. … Just understanding that I’m on the field for a reason and when I go out there just play my game and know that the game is going to come to me.”
Sunday was Stevenson’s best-graded recreation of the season, in line with Pro Football Focus. He allowed two catches on six targets for 28 yards in opposition to the Falcons and held quarterbacks to a 9.7 passer score when focusing on him in single protection, in line with PFF.
In the third quarter, Stevenson leaped as much as seize Taylor Heinicke’s cross meant for tight finish Jonnu Smith for his third interception of the season.
“It was Cover 2. Just studying a little Jaylon Johnson film,” Stevenson mentioned of his teammate. “Showing short, but make sure we’re able to get back. Just kept my hips open. Know I had my responsibility low, but also know I have to help the safety high. He put the ball in harm’s way, and I’m going to go get it every time.”
1 / 4 later, Stevenson had his fourth interception when defensive sort out Zacch Pickens swatted on the hand of backup quarterback Desmond Ridder. The cross floated in entrance of extensive receiver Drake London, and Stevenson pulled within the soccer whereas falling to his knees.
Stevenson credited Bears quarterbacks Justin Fields, Tyson Bagent and Nathan Peterman for serving to him work on catching the ball when it comes his manner.
“Just after practice always going over there and just constantly working on gripping the ball, tracking the ball in and using my eyes to make sure that I can pull the ball in,” Stevenson mentioned. “Just shout out to them.”
Stevenson’s current manufacturing has been a part of an encouraging yr for the Bears cornerbacks group, which has seen progress at completely different ranges from a extra veteran participant like Jaylon Johnson to second-year nickel Kyler Gordon to rookies Stevenson and Terell Smith. Gordon additionally had a choose Sunday because the Bears climbed to a league-leading 22 interceptions this season.
Safety Jaquan Brisker mentioned Stevenson is “getting better every week.”
“(Cornerbacks coach Jon) Hoke, he’s been on him, but he’s been taking it like a vet,” Brisker mentioned. “It shows a lot to his character and how dialed in he has been. So just huge steps from him.”
Stevenson mentioned Bears coach Matt Eberflus introduced the award after follow in entrance of his teammates, who shouted, “There you go, rook!” Stevenson mentioned he thanked the line of defense in his speech.
When Eberflus was requested what he likes about Stevenson, he mentioned the cornerback is an aggressive participant who tackles properly.
“He’s lean, he’s long, he’s got good lean mass so he can really tackle well,” Eberflus mentioned. “He can tackle big backs. He knocks them back. And then the length in the pass game. When you’re covering deep routes and side pocket throws, that length matters. … I love his attitude, and I love his demeanor that he brings to the game every week.”
Injury report
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson missed follow Wednesday as he recovers from a shoulder harm he suffered in opposition to the Falcons. Tight finish Cole Kmet (knee), extensive receiver Darnell Mooney (concussion), lengthy snapper Patrick Scales (foot) and quarterback Tyson Bagent (sickness) additionally missed follow.
Wide receiver DJ Moore was restricted with an ankle harm.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com