Bears LG Teven Jenkins saves day by recovering Rome Odunze's fumble on circus play against Titans
The Bears’ wildest play of their 24-17 win over the Titans was an 11-yard completion in the red zone late in the second quarter that involved four players.
Quarterback Caleb Williams threw to DJ Moore, but Titans safety Quandre Diggs broke up the pass and popped the ball high in the air. Rome Odunze fought off linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. to catch it at the Titans’ 10-yard line, then safety Amani Hooker drilled him and knocked the ball loose again.
As it skittered toward the sideline, left guard Teven Jenkins of all people was right there to pounce on it.
“Do I get the yards for that?” Jenkins asked.
No.
“What about the people who drafted me in fantasy?” he joked. “They need that.”
He added, "If I didn’t get that ball, I’m sure I would’ve gotten a loaf in the loaf system. It was good that I’ve been trained to always chase the ball like that.
“My first thought was, ‘Damn, I’ve gotta go swat this [thing] down,’ then I saw Rome go up for it and I was like, ‘Oh, good [stuff],’ and I’ll go push a pile or something. As soon as it knocked out, I was like, ‘Oh [shoot], I’m in the perfect position to be there because I’m already doing my job.'”
It was a crucial play for the Bears, who were down 17-0 at that point and could ill afford a turnover. That’s all Odunze thought as he saw it floating.
“That was crazy,” he said. “I just wanted to make sure it didn’t get into the defender’s hands, honestly. Thankfully Teven was hustling to get on the ball.”