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Jeffery Simmons makes major impact in debut with Bears
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jeffery Simmons makes major impact in debut with Bears

Jeffery Simmons paid immediate dividends for the Chicago Bears after they traded two first-round picks for the All-Pro defensive tackle. 

Simmons had six tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one pass defended, one quarterback hit and two pressures as Chicago won 34-17 at the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle was able to slow Simmons in the second half, as the former Tennessee Titan had three tackles in the final 30 minutes. The Bears acquired Simmons to boost the pass rush. Chicago entered Monday Night seventh in the NFL, averaging 2.8 sacks per game.

Simmons had 38 tackles, nine QB hits, six TFLs, four sacks, four passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in seven games with Tennessee this season. Simmons' impact was beyond the numbers he recorded. After Simmons' dominant first half, Seattle had to double-team him in the second half.

The Bears held Seattle to 252 yards, six QB hits, six passes defended, five TFLs and three sacks. Defensive end Montez Sweat and safety Devin Bush recorded the other Bears sacks and defensive back Jaylen Johnson added the other Chicago TFL.

Bears, playing with the lead, helped against Seahawks

The Bears forced a three-and-out on the first Seahawks drive. Simmons teamed with defensive back Tyrique Stevenson to make a tackle on the second drive of the game. Caleb Williams led the Bears on a 17-play, 80-yard drive that took 8:32 to put Chicago ahead 7-0 in the first quarter. Chicago never relinquished that lead.

Simmons sacked Seattle QB Sam Darnold on the first play of Seattle's second drive, but Chicago defensive tackle Grady Jarrett was called for a facemask, nullifying the play. After the facemask, Chicago forced another three-and-out.

Playing with the lead throughout the game allowed the Bears' defensive line to be aggressive. ESPN analyst Troy Aikman said on the "Monday Night Football" broadcast that Simmons will impact the Bears defense and could affect the entire team. 

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