SEATTLE — The Bears got everything they wanted from new defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in his debut, and vice versa.
Simmons led the team with six tackles, including a first-quarter sack and another tackle for loss, as well as loosening up the line of scrimmage for his fellow defensive linemen to make game-changing plays in the Bears’ 34-17 win over the Seahawks on Monday.
For Simmons, it was a breath of fresh air after enduring five consecutive losing seasons with the Titans.
“The last couple of years (the Titans) have been hard not winning football games, but also, for me, what can I do to help (them) get back to that?” Simmons said. “It sucks that I wasn’t able to do that, but I’m a Chicago Bear now.
“Things change, and right now for me, to be able to be here, praise God. I’m happy to be here. I never want to try to compare — my time in Tennessee was unbelievable... But I’m here now and I’m going to continue to do what I need to do to help this team win football games.”
Defensive end Montez Sweat had a sack in his return from a suspension and had two others nullified by penalties in the secondary.
Defensive linemen James Lynch and Austin Booker teamed up for a game-sealing play with six minutes left when Simmons and Sweat forced Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold out of the pocket. Booker was close enough to him to tip the pa ss, and it deflected to Lynch for an interception.
Lynch returned it to the Seahawks’ 6-yard line, and the Bears scored soon after on running. back D’Andre Swift’s touchdown run to push the lead to 17 and essentially end the game.
“You’ve got to focus on him, and it allows all of us to get more opportunities,” Lynch said. “He’s a special player, and it’s nice to have him on our side.”
