How A Last-Second Gamble Led To Jaquan Brisker’s Game-Winning INT

The Chicago Bears defense had set the tone all day against the Los Angeles Rams. Going into the final minutes, the offense had given them a six-point lead. All they needed was one more stop to close the door. This is often where things fell apart in the past. Collapses in the 4th quarter had become the norm for them last year. They couldn’t let it happen again. After a Tory Taylor punt pinned the Rams at their 8-yard line, the defense lined up for the first play. A nifty spin move by Darrell Taylor got pressure on Matthew Stafford’s face. He sailed a pass right into the hands of Jaquan Brisker.

Ballgame.

What people don’t know is that play wasn’t supposed to happen, at least not as the coaches intended. Taylor revealed this to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Initially, he was supposed to line up outside like normal. However, DeMarcus Walker had a hunch. He felt the two of them should switch places, putting Taylor on the less athletic Rams guard, Logan Bruss. The idea was the lumbering blocker wouldn’t have the quickness to handle Taylor’s speed. Walker was spot on.

“Sometimes on the field we are making some calls (just before the snap) so we can get the best possible pass rush situation,” Taylor said. “DeMarcus was like, let’s do this certain type of thing. That’s why I go inside and he’s outside and, you know, I was lined up over the guard and I know I am faster than him. I was just using my ability and my speed to win and that’s what I did.”

Walker stayed wide on left tackle Alaric Jackson leaving Taylor with a clear 1-on-1. He put a spin move on Bruss, who was caught in quicksand, and Taylor was immediately in Stafford’s grill.

“Literally just a slight adjustment,” said Taylor, who missed the first two practices of the week with an illness. “DeMarcus called it. He seen it. That’s how I was able to win.”

The Jaquan Brisker play is another reminder of Eberflus’ style.

One thing that has become apparent during the past two years is that the Bears head coach, who calls the plays on defense, gives his players a lot of latitude to freestyle if they see something they can take advantage of. Jaylon Johnson revealed he did it a lot last year if he felt he could snag an interception. Walker’s on-the-fly adjustment is another example. He was confident enough in what he was seeing to make the switch with Taylor, who was smart enough to do what his teammate said.

They got the pressure. Jaquan Brisker took care of the rest. This is a great reminder that coaches can’t always be on top of everything. Sometimes, the guys in the huddle need to make judgment calls. If you treat guys like robots, they’ll play that way. Trusting your instincts is a pivotal part of success in professional football. Walker proved that again.