After defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-16 on Sunday, the Chicago Bears were free to enjoy Christmas on “Victory Monday.” With four straight victories, the Bears are gaining confidence and momentum as the regular season draws to a close.

The squad rested its players on Monday and Tuesday in preparation for their home game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. Coach Matt Eberflus spoke to the media in Lake Forest on Tuesday. These are the three lessons we took away from that meeting and the triumph on Sunday.

Kyler Gordon, the cornerback, had another productive game on Sunday and is still improving in his second season. Montez Sweat, a pass rusher, has been a clear force behind the team’s advancement in the last two months.

tackle with the nose Up front, Andrew Billings has proven to be a reliable leader, especially as a run stopper who sets the tone. Additionally, middle linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds continue to have an influence on the defense.

For obvious reasons, the Bears would like to keep their core together after this season, since their defense is quickly emerging as one of the best in the league. On Tuesday, Eberflus was questioned about safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Jaylon Johnson, two players with questionable prospects in 2024.

Johnson’s rookie deal is coming to an end, and he will shortly start discussing an extension with the front office. With a $18.14 million salary-cap hit for 2024, Jackson, who is wrapping up his seventh season with the Bears, may be dismissed this offseason in an attempt to save money.

Eberflus doesn’t discount the importance of those two players to the secondary and the defense as a whole.

“Those two have been excellent. Real experts, said Eberflus. They have both risen and fulfilled every request we have made of them. .. At this point, we don’t really know where their future lies. It would be a pleasure to have them here.

When it comes to football, they are both very intelligent. These guys are quite intelligent. And that undoubtedly aids in the development of our young players’, our first- and second-year players’, comprehension of the game.

Early in the first quarter, Jones picked off Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray for a 9-yard loss, increasing his season total of sacks to 4 1/2. Billings’s penetration against center Hjalte Froholdt helped to thwart Jones’s initial drive against left guard Elijah Wilkinson.

“Oh, snap!,” I thought to myself as I moved away from the ball and saw just Big Bill. Said Jones. I turned around and noticed the hole. That’s when I thought, “Whoa!”