The Chicago Bears had another big day of takeaways — four in all — in their 26-14 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Al Harris saw it coming.

“Al is some type of character from the Bible — he’s been prophesying,” said veteran safety Kevin Byard III, whose third-quarter interception was his fourth of the season. “He said before the game last night, I asked what the quota (would be), and he said four. And we got four again.

“That’s just the belief in us to be able to go get it. … It’s just special right now. If that’s what we’ve got to do to win games, that’s what we’re going to do.”

The Bears (4-2) have forced 16 turnovers in six games, including at least three in each game of their four-game winning streak.

“Just playing with a lot of confidence,” Byard said. “I’ve said it before, man, the ball has been on our mind.”

Week 7 photos: Chicago Bears beat New Orleans Saints 26-14

The Bears last had a four-game streak of at least three takeaways from Weeks 11 to 15 in 2023. They had 17 takeaways in their first six games in 2018 — also the last season they won four in a row or won the NFC North.

The defense has played a significant role in the four-game winning streak, and that was especially true Sunday as quarterback Caleb Williams had his hiccups.

“When the ball touches their hands, they’re coming down with it,” coach Ben Johnson said of the defense. “We really don’t have many drops on that side of the ball. They’re very conscious of it when it’s a running play to try to punch that ball and get it out.

“It’s just really working for us right now, and our team needs it. It’s really been the foundation of this last four-game stretch for us.”

Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler fumbles while being sacked by Bears defensive end Montez Sweat during the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

About two minutes into the game, defensive end Montez Sweat strip-sacked Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler, and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. recovered the fumble at the New Orleans 24-yard line. A six-play drive resulted in Jake Moody’s 27-yard field goal for the game’s first points.

“Good pocket push,” Sweat said. “The quarterback tried to leave out the pocket and I seen him coming. Just made a good play on the ball.”

Last week Sweat forced a fumble by Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the first quarter, which preceded a Bears touchdown drive in the second quarter.

Cornerback Nahshon Wright intercepted Rattler in the second quarter Sunday on a pass intended for Mason Tipton, returning the pickoff 38 yards to the New Orleans 30. The Bears scored a touchdown four plays later for a 13-0 lead.

And late in the game, Tremaine Edmunds intercepted a ball tipped by fellow linebacker T.J. Edwards on 4th-and-2 from the Bears 26.

But if there was a consensus among the defensive players regarding who made the biggest play, it was Byard, who raced toward the sideline to pick off an overthrown ball to Rashid Shaheed, then slid before going out of bounds.

“He got way over there,” Wright said.

Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) watches as Bears free safety Kevin Byard III gets an interception during the third quarter Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Byard almost had a second interception along the sideline but collided with Wright, who said he had the wind knocked out of him.

Wright, who said he grew up admiring recently retired Saints great Tyrann Mathieu, got bragging rights over his younger brother, Saints cornerback Rejzohn Wright.

“I just gave him a little belt,” Nahshon Wright said, making a little whipping motion while holding his brother’s white Saints jersey.

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Several players said Harris has been setting quotas of three or four takeaways for every game and practice.

“I mean, yeah, we’ve been getting at least three the past couple weeks,” Sweat said. “So four shouldn’t be that far to be attainable.”

This defensive effort had to be particularly satisfying for coordinator Dennis Allen, whom the Saints fired last season as their head coach. He played it all week to the media as just another game, and players said it was the same with them.

“He didn’t make it about himself this entire week,” Byard said. “He didn’t mention anything about it. But me being a veteran, I know. This meant a lot for him. He obviously got a game ball at the end of the game.”

Rattler entered the game having thrown only one interception in six games with two fumbles, neither of them lost. But the Bears hit him seven times and broke up nine passes.

“Shout out to the D-line,” Wright said. “We generated a lot of pressure today. And when you can do that, especially against a young quarterback, and give him different looks, you kind of confuse him. You make him throw certain throws that they may not have taken if they knew exactly what (defense) you were in.”

About the only negative for the Bears defense was top cornerback Tyrique Stevenson left with a shoulder injury in the third quarter and didn’t return. Tight end Cole Kmet also left with a back injury, and Johnson said, “We’ll see where they’re at tomorrow.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/chicago-bears-defense-takeaways-streak/