Entering this week, the Chicago Bears swarming, opportunistic defense ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in a dozen statistical categories and led the league in the Aikman ratings -- a system of seven classifications used to measure overall defensive performance.

The numbers should go up after an eye-popping effort by the Bears D in Sunday’s 51-20 win over the Tennessee Titans. The Bears (7-1, 1-1 NFC North) were so dominant on defense and special teams to open the game that they set a franchise-record with 28 first-quarter points, despite only gaining 56 yards on offense and three first downs in the opening quarter.

Before this week, Bears CB Charles Tillman had forced 32 fumbles in his 10-year career -- the most of any defensive back in the NFL since 2003. Tillman added four more on Sunday, including three that led to turnovers. As a team, the Bears forced five turnovers -- three in the first quarter, when they raced out to a 28-2 lead.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Brian Urlacher of Tillman’s performance. “As a corner, to get four like that, it’s unbelievable.”

The Titans (3-6, 0-2 AFC South) entered the game with a minus-3 turnover ratio but hadn’t committed more than three in a game before Sunday’s loss. With four lost fumbles, Tennessee nearly doubled its total for the season.

When the game turned: The Bears didn’t have a defender within five yards of Titans WR Kenny Britt on the first offensive play of the game when Tillman came from behind the play, reached over Britt’s right shoulder and punched the ball out. It set the tone, as the Bears’ defense forced four turnovers in the opening half.

Highlight moments: Bears CB Sherrick McManis rushed past Titans RB Jamie Harper to block a Brett Kern punt early in the first quarter. ... The punt was scooped up by Bears DE Corey Wootton who returned it five yards for a touchdown. ... The Titans got on the board when Bears LT J’Marcus Webb was whistled for an illegal use of the hands infraction in the end zone, leading to a safety. ... After the Bears forced a three-and-out, WR Devin Hester returned a punt 44 yards to the Titans’ 8-yard line. On the ensuing play, Bears RB Matt Forte scored on an 8-yard touchdown after several of his offensive linemen pushed him forward in a rugby-like scrum. Urlacher increased the lead to 21-2 on a 46-yard interception for a touchdown late in the first quarter. ... Matt Hasselbeck lunged towards Urlacher’s legs in an effort to prevent the touchdown, but Urlacher hurdled the Titans’ quarterback along the left sideline. Bears WR Brandon Marshall beat Titans DB Jason McCourty on a go-route for a 39-yard touchdown in the right corner of the end zone early in the fourth quarter. Titans RB Chris Johnson capped the scoring with an 80-yard touchdown run down the right sideline early in the fourth quarter.

Top-shelf performances:

  • LB Brian Urlacher: Seven tackles, 46-yard INT for a TD, forced fumble and recovery

     
  • CB Charles Tillman: Four forced fumbles, three of which were recovered

     
  • RB Matt Forte: 103 rushing yards on 12 carries, 1 TD; two catches for 45 yards

     
  • WR Brandon Marshall: 9 catches for 122 yards, 3 TDs

What they said about Urlacher’s 46-yard interception for a touchdown:

  • Urlacher -- “I didn’t see where he (Hasselbeck) was looking. He likes to look our defense off and go the other way. I don’t know if he didn’t see me -- it was man (coverage). I just cut underneath him.”
     
  • Hasselbeck -- “I threw it right to Urlacher. Our receiver had an option route -- inside or outside -- and he broke inside. I thought I could get it to him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them do such an amazing job of getting the ball out.”
     
  • Bears LB Lance Briggs -- “I love seeing 54 making plays. It’s fun, it’s contagious. It’s the way we want to play football.”

Numbers you should know: When Urlacher scored on the return in the first quarter, it marked the seventh time this season the Bears returned an interception for a touchdown. Last week, Chicago became the first team in NFL history to return six interceptions for touchdowns in the first seven games of a season.

Injury update: Bears DT Henry Melton (back) and DE Israel Idonije (knee) both returned to the game after suffering injuries, Chicago coach Lovie Smith said. Titans WR Kendall Wright returned to the game after suffering an elbow injury in the second half. Titans coach Mike Munchak indicated that Wright experienced soreness but should be fine.

Going forward: The Bears host the Texans at Soldier Field in a potential Super Bowl preview on Sunday Night Football. It’s the first of consecutive prime-time games for Chicago against possible playoff opponents. In Week 11, the Bears travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers on Monday Night Football. The Titans face the Dolphins next week in Miami before a Week 11 bye.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans. 

Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter @CBSBears.