NFL first: Bears defenders have return TDs in back-to-back games

Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs and cornerback Charles Tillman made NFL history Sunday when for the second game in a row the teammates each intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown.

Not that the Bears needed the scores. They routed the Jacksonville Jaguars, 41-3, for their third consecutive victory to improve to 4-1 and stay in a tie with the Minnesota Vikings for first place in the NFC Central Division.

Last week the pair’s contributions were needed in a 34-18 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, when the Bears intercepted five passes by Tony Romo.

“This one was an easier catch,” Tillman said of his interception against the Jaguars. “Last week, it was, ‘Is he really throwing me the ball?’ This week was normal. This one was easier. It came at a good time. We needed a lift, and that score got us rolling to the point the offense started putting up points after that.”

Tillman’s 36-yard return in the third quarter helped spark 38 unanswered points for Chicago, which took a 21-3 lead at the time. Tillman’s return also makes him the Bears’ all-time leader with eight defensive touchdowns.

Briggs helped extend the Bears’ lead to 34-3, also with a 36-yard interception return.

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