The Detroit Lions dominated in all three phases in their 52-21 win against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. While the Lions' red-hot offensive performance was the main takeaway from Sunday's win, their defense also rose to the occasion.
The Lions forced two turnovers on the Bears in the win, including forcing Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams to throw an interception. Williams finished the game with 207 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-30 passing.
Kerby Joseph success at recording interceptions among the best in the league
Lions safety Kerby Joseph recorded the interception off Williams in the second quarter. Joseph has been one of the best safeties in the NFL at collecting interceptions. Since entering the NFL in 2022, Joseph's 18 interceptions are the most by any player.
Kerby Joseph's 18 interceptions since he entered the league in 2022 are the most by any player 🚀 pic.twitter.com/uQMhIxXwv4
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 16, 2025
The Lions drafted Joseph out of Illinois with the 97th overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In his four seasons with the Lions, Joseph has proven to be a reliable piece for Detroit's defense and is among the best safeties in the NFL. Along with his 18 interceptions, Joseph has recorded 251 total tackles and two forced fumbles.
In the win against the Bears, Joseph also collected three tackles and was a part of the viral celebration that featured the Lions recreating former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's "Stumble Bum" trick play.
This year, Joseph will continue to have a major impact on the Lions' defense after playing in all 17 regular-season games in 2024. He will also be a vocal leader of a Lions safety group that features Brian Branch, Thomas Harper, and Daniel Thomas.
Other Lions defenders shine in the win against the Bears
Branch also had a major impact on defense for the Lions against the Bears, including multiple big hits. He finished the game with six tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Branch and Joseph were the two players on the Lions defense who forced takeaways. There were other noteworthy performances from Jack Campbell, Terrion Arnold, Alex Anzalone, and Derrick Barnes, an all-around impressive defensive outing for the Lions against Chicago.
It's a performance that new Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard can build off of as Detroit prepares to take on one of the best offenses in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens, next Monday night.