It was the Defense (not the Offense) that carried the Bears in Week 2

Sure, Jay Cutler threw 4 TD passes in the Bears' Week 2 win over the San Francisco 49ers Sunday night. Sure, Brandon Marshall caught three of them and played very well, even with an ankle injury. Sure, Martellus Bennett made some big catches (including a TD) that compensated for the lack of damage done by Alshon Jeffery, who was dealing with a hamstring problem.

And sure, the Bears' (makeshift) offensive line held its own against a strong San Fran front seven.

But none of that great stuff would've happened if it weren't for the Bears defense keeping them in the ball game throughout a rough first half, where the Niners jumped to a 17-0 lead. It was the Bears defense that set up short field positioning for the Bears O in the second half that led to quick TD scores in the fourth quarter. It was the fumble and the three interceptions that rejuvenated the entire team, motivating them to stay in a football game that many (pretty much all of us) considered would be a Niners blowout.

In a threatening San Francisco drive late in the 2nd quarter, the 49ers were moving upfield fast. The Niners offense looked as if they were going to score that drive. That's when Colin Kaepernick made a pass to Anquan Boldin. Boldin looked wide open, and it looked like the Niners were going to get another first down and more. And that's when Chris Conte came out of absolutely nowhere to make a beautiful interception and a nice return afterward. At that point, the Niners were up 17-0. And with that threatening drive, it very well could've been 24-0, a hole that I'd be pretty surprised to see the Bears climb out of.

Chris Conte made a beautiful diving interception in the second quarter, giving the Bears offense some form of momentum heading into the second half.

Instead, Conte's pick gave the whole team a boost of energy, a rejuvenating play that sparked the team before halftime. Despite Conte's pick, the Bears still had a three-and-out on the next drive, and they punted the ball away. When San Fran got it back, it was the Bears DEFENSE (Jared Allen) that forced a Colin Kaepernick fumble and it was Ryan Mundy who picked it up. That gave the short field to the Bears, who then scored a TD. Had the Bears defense not forced that fumble, it's very possible the Niners would've kept the ball all the way to the half. The score would've been 17-0 at the half, which would've been pretty deflating for the Bears. Heck, it could've been 24-0 if it weren't for the Conte interception.

But instead, it was 17-7. It was only a two-score game, and the Bears were very well in it. Moreover, they had the momentum at halftime because of the TD. Or was it really because of the TD? The Marshall touchdown never would've happened if it weren't for the Bears defense forcing the fumble.

The Bears would never have had that momentum heading to the half if it weren't for the big defensive play. And that momentum was a big reason why Chicago ended up winning.

This was one of Marshall's three touchdown receptions in the Sunday Night win.

But the Bears defense wasn't done yet. After Jay Cutler threw a touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall early in the fourth quarter (Marshall made an insane catch), rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller made two crucial interceptions that virtually ended up giving the Bears the 28-20 win. But I'll get back to that later. In case you don't know of Kyle Fuller (which is shameful if you call yourself a Bears fan) or in case you forgot about him after the 2014 Draft, let me give you some quick facts that'll help you catch up with the rest of the pack.

• Fuller came out of Virginia Tech
• He was always regarded as a fast, strong, tough, versatile player
• He was drafted 14th overall by the Bears in the 2014 NFL Draft

And now, he has two interceptions in two games.

Not bad.

Anyways, let's talk about the first Fuller pick. At the time, the score was 20-14. Colin Kaepernick was attempting a 7 yard, short pass to Michael Crabtree. 

It appeared Crabtree caught the ball, but Fuller viciously ripped the ball out of #15's hands to come up with the pick and make a beautiful, 20-yard return. That led to the Bears offense being able to start at the Niners' 3-yard line, setting up a short 1st-and-Goal. Then, Jay found Martellus in the endzone for a TD score. That made the score 21-20, and the Bears took the lead.

Let's talk about the rookie's second INT. Fuller made a great interception at the Bears 40-yard line; then he returned it a good 18 yards to the San Fran 42. This lead to yet another short field for the Bears offense. This led to a 4 play drive, ending in a Jay Cutler TD pass to Brandon Marshall. It's very possible the Bears offense would not have scored that second TD if it weren't for the Fuller pick.

Kyle Fuller made his campaign for NFL Rookie of the Month in Week 2 with two interceptions.

Now, I am fully aware that Jay and his offense played well and were big parts to get the win. After all, they did get four touchdowns. I am not downplaying the Bears offense, even though it felt like every single drive (other than the TDs) ended in a very quick three-and-out. Cutler made big throws, hanging in there after this huge hit, and playing very tough and showing the best of his abilities on those TD drives. Brandon Marshall had not one, not two, but THREE touchdown receptions, proving how tough he was, playing very physically despite a bad ankle. Alshon Jeffery was also an absolute warrior, hobbling on new Levi's Stadium, but still battling, drawing attention to himself, allowing Martellus Bennett and Brandon Marshall to have better looks.

Ironically, Jay Cutler performed better after this brutal hit. I'm amazed he stood in there to make the completion.

But all in all, the Bears offense could not have came back if it weren't for the Bears defense creating short field position, plenty of opportunities, and a feeling of rejuvenation after many big plays. Cutler and Co. would not have had the time, the opportunities, or the short fields to work with if it weren't for the Conte pick, the Jared Allen forced fumble, or the two Kyle Fuller interceptions that carried Chicago and led us to victory in Week 2. Jay and his offense played well enough to get the 4 TDs late, but overall, the offense wasn't great. Cutler and Co. would not have had the short fields, opportunities, or time to make a comeback if it weren't for the play of the Bears defense in San Francisco.