Bears Use Picks to Click

The points came from all areas -- offense, defense and special teams -- in rapid procession as the Chicago Bears trampled Joey Harrington and the Detroit Lions.

Chicago’s 38-6 victory Sunday in the home opener was emphatic.

Harrington had a career-high five passes intercepted by the Bears, who battered the Lions (1-1) along the way.

“We were resilient this week,” Bear wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad said.

After a 9-7 loss at Washington in the season opener, the Bears (1-1) looked more like the playoff contenders they have claimed to be since the start of training camp. The 38 points were their most since a 47-17 victory over Tampa Bay in September 1993.

Nate Vasher intercepted two Harrington passes and Mike Brown returned one 41 yards for a touchdown. Brian Urlacher added two sacks.

Thomas Jones rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns in 20 carries, and quarterback Kyle Orton was 14 for 21 for 150 yards with no interceptions.

Bobby Wade returned a punt 73 yards for a score in the second quarter and Brown added that interception return in the final minute of the half as Chicago took a 31-6 lead to the locker room.

“We did what we said we were going to do,” Urlacher said. “We got in [Harrington’s] face, and we got some pressure on him and got him to throw the ball sometimes when he didn’t want to. And we got some takeaways -- what we’ve got to do every week.”

And what the Lions weren’t able to do Sunday.

Harrington looked lost. Detroit rushed for only 29 yards. And the Lion defense, which sacked Brett Favre four times and held Green Bay to its lowest point total in 13 years in last week’s 17-3 victory, had trouble breaking through the Bears’ line, and Chicago’s offense sprang to life after being held to 166 yards against Washington.