Charles Tillman, cornerback
Charles Tillman’s celebratory moves were almost as impressive as his game-ending interception return for a touchdown. But “Peanut” downplayed any sense of vindication after allowing several high-profile plays this season. “I don’t feel like I really lost my swagger,” he said. Though he stepped in front of the Jeff Garcia pass intended for Mike Williams, he insists he didn’t know Garcia was going to throw. “But once the play started, I was thinking, ‘He might throw it because he might not see me because he’s off balance.’ And he did.”
Lance Briggs, linebacker
One of the true impact players on the Bears’ defense all season, Lance Briggs was initially credited with six tackles Sunday. But he also was uncharacteristically victimized on consecutive plays that contributed to Detroit’s one touchdown. On third-and-3 from the Bears’ 14, Briggs lost coverage on running back Shawn Bryson, who caught an 8-yard pass for a first down. On the next play, tailback Kevin Jones broke outside around Briggs and scored the first rushing touchdown against the Bears this season.
Robbie Gould, kicker
This is what kickers are supposed to do–whether they’re rookies or not. Drill makable field goals of 38 and 20 yards and boom kickoffs high and far. Lions return specialist Eddie Drummond averaged just 19.2 yards on five kickoff returns. But perhaps Robbie Gould’s most impressive moment came when he put an abrupt end to Drummond’s near-breakaway kickoff return in the second quarter. His crushing hit–right in front of the Bears’ bench–earned the kicker a congratulatory battering from teammates.
