Bears' Lynch Intercepts Tipped Pass in Win
Chicago defensive tackle James Lynch picked off a tipped pass as the Bears beat Seattle 34-17 on Monday night.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football
The Chicago Bears defeated the Seattle Seahawks 34-17 on Monday night, with defensive tackle James Lynch intercepting a tipped pass about six minutes before the final whistle. The interception was the Bears' only takeaway of the game and helped secure the victory.
Why it matters
The play came after pressure from Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat forced Sam Darnold out of the pocket, with Austin Booker getting a hand on the throw. For Chicago, which improved to 6-2, a defensive stop of that kind helped seal a win over a conference opponent.
Lynch intercepted the ball and returned it 16 yards to the Seattle 6-yard line, while Swift scored from five yards out with 4:41 left. Lynch, a 295-pound defensive tackle, was on a one-year, $1.3 million contract signed in March.
The players
James Lynch
Lynch is a defensive tackle who played college football at Baylor, where he recorded 13.5 sacks as a junior, and previously spent two seasons with Tennessee before joining Chicago.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are an NFL franchise based in Chicago that competes in the National Football League's NFC North division.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are an NFL franchise based in Seattle that competes in the National Football League's NFC West division.
Sam Darnold
Darnold is a quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks who was pressured out of the pocket on the play that led to Lynch's interception.
The details
Simmons and Sweat flushed Darnold from the pocket, and Booker tipped the throw into Lynch's arms, allowing Lynch to catch the deflected ball. Lynch, who tore his ACL during 2023 training camp and missed the entire season, returned the pick to set up Swift's score on the next possession.
Timeline
2020: Minnesota selected Lynch in the fourth round.
2023 training camp: Lynch tore his ACL and missed the season.
Next summer after 2023: Minnesota waived Lynch.
March 2026: The Bears signed Lynch to a one-year deal.
Monday, November 2, 2026: Lynch's interception helped Chicago beat Seattle 34-17.
Season Trajectory
Lynch's interception came after a 2023 ACL tear that cost him a full season, followed by his release from Minnesota and a March signing with Chicago. The play adds depth to a Bears defense that is pushing the team toward a competitive position in the NFC North standings.
The interception adds a defensive highlight to the Bears' 6-2 record, which fantasy managers and bettors tracking Chicago's defense may note. Lynch's return from injury and his 2026 contract make him a depth piece whose role could expand if Chicago's pass rush continues to generate turnovers.
The takeaway
Lynch's return from a season-ending knee injury shows how depth players can alter a game in the final minutes. Fans tracking the Bears should watch whether Chicago's pass rush can keep generating turnovers as the schedule tightens.
Further reading
For more on the team's recent results, see the latest Chicago Bears coverage in our football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
