To be able to finish the game on their own terms, rather than on a last-second kick like their previous two victories in Las Vegas and Washington, felt even more satisfying for the Bears. Doing so in front of the home crowd that embraced the elements on a wet and windy day at Soldier Field felt even sweeter.
“We always talk about tips and overthrows — we gotta get those,” Edmunds said. “T.J. made a good play, I was able to find the ball, and we were able to finish with a little bit of momentum. It felt good to end it like that. The fans came out and showed out. I know at the beginning of the game, the weather was a little iffy, but our fans always come out and show us love no matter what the conditions may be.”
Riding a four-game winning streak and leading the NFL in takeaways, including a league-high 11 interceptions, the Bears defense is finding new ways to impress each week.
With 11 weeks remaining in the regular season, however, the defense is consistently looking for further improvement and success. After the game, group was echoing Allen’s message: four isn’t enough.
“It’s a great feeling, [but] I don’t think any of us are satisfied with the four wins,” Byard said. “We know as a team that we’re not playing our best football. Ten penalties is too many penalties. Those two drives, one at the end of the half, and then one right after the half, that’s unacceptable for us on defense, but just the resiliency to be able to battle back and kind of stay poised within those moments in the battle back, and obviously not let them score again, is huge for us.
“But we’re just scratching the surface. There’s a lot of things to clean up, but like I said, we’re finding ways to win games.”