The Chicago Bears are continuing to exceed expectations set not only by national media analysts but also by their own fanbase.
The Bears have found ways to win games since Ben Johnson was hired as head coach this past offseason. In Week 12, they had a chance to continue their season, which many had deemed improbable against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that hasn't had a single losing season under head coach Mike Tomlin.
It was far from easy, but the Bears held on late in the fourth quarter to defeat the Steelers 31-28 to officially go 8-3 on the season. The Bears punted the ball back to the Steelers twice with just a three-point lead, but the defense stood firm and prevented the Steelers from tying the game or taking a late lead. On the final drive, Bears safety Jaquan Brisker officially clinched the win for Chicago after deflecting a pass from Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph on fourth-and-six.
After the game, Brisker responded to a tweet about the play in question, hyping up the Bears while reminding everyone he did it against his hometown team, the Steelers.
"6’2 205lbs from PITTSBURGH! Great Team Win, I love this TEAM, I love the fans , all we can do is go up! Chicago we lit"
Jaquan Brisker celebrates game-winning play against hometown Steelers
What a moment for Brisker, who was born and raised in Pittsburgh. It's one thing to make plays on your hometown team growing up. But imagine making the game-winning play against them? That's incredible.
Playing high school football in Pittsburgh, Brisker started his collegiate career at Lackawanna College in Scranton. After two seasons, Brisker transferred over to Penn State, where he became one of the top players in the country. In 2021, Brisker was named First-Team All-Big Ten and Second-Team All-American. In three seasons for the Nittany Lions, Brisker recorded 153 combined tackles, 14 passes defended, and five interceptions.
The Bears selected Brisker in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he has been a mainstay for their defense. Entering Week 12, Brisker recorded 49 combined tackles, three passes defended, one interception, and one sack.
Facing the Steelers, Brisker recorded seven total tackles (four solo) and one pass deflection, which just so happened to be the game-winning play for the Bears.
Read more: Ben Johnson (again) just did something with Bears that Matt Eberflus never did
Brisker helped the Bears secure their eighth win of the season and continue pulling away from the rest of the NFC North division. To make the moment even sweeter, it came against his hometown team.