It didn’t take long for a Chicago Bears player to grab national attention this season. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors following his standout performance in Sunday’s 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Stevenson delivered one of the game’s most pivotal moments late in the fourth quarter, intercepting a wayward pass from Titans quarterback Will Levis. He then returned it for a touchdown, giving the Bears a crucial lead.
To seal the deal, Chicago successfully converted a two-point attempt, with Caleb Williams connecting with D’Andre Swift, putting the Bears ahead 24-17 and securing the win.
Stevenson wrapped up the game with an impressive Pro Football Focus score of 74.9, the fourth-highest on the Bears’ defense. He trailed only edge rushers DeMarcus Walker (76.1) and Darrell Taylor (78.6), along with standout cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who led the team with an exceptional 92.3 rating.
The 24-year-old Stevenson also recorded four tackles during the game. According to Pro Football Focus, he played 63 of Chicago’s 64 defensive snaps, was targeted nine times, and allowed only three completions.
In recent years, all three of Chicago’s NFC Defensive Player of the Week winners have been cornerbacks: Stevenson (who also won in Week 17 of last season), Eddie Jackson (honored in Week 12 of 2018 and Week 7 of 2017), and Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Tillman (recognized in Week 7 and Week 5 of 2012, and Week 8 of 2005).
The Bears will next face the Houston Texans in a Sunday Night Football matchup at NRG Stadium.
