Edmunds shines with career game, says Bears defense gaining confidence

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 2 hours ago

CHICAGO - A team is defined by how it overcomes adversity.

While certainly faced adversity after their loss against the Detroit Lions in week two, the Chicago Bears would not let that define their season as they bounced back with a dominant 31-14 victory against the Dallas Cowboys.

“The first two weeks, it hurt, and we stayed together as a team. We had some tough conversations, but conversations that needed to be had and our focus was just on playing a complete game this week,” linebacker Tremaine Edmunds said. “Obviously, some things still didn’t go our way, but that’s football. It’s going to ebbs and flows of the game, but just got to keep your head above (water) and keep chopping away.”

Defensive injuries certainly did not help things for Chicago. They have been without cornerback Kyler Gordon and linebacker T.J. Edwards all season so far, and All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson was only able to play for one quarter before getting another injury and subsequently being put on injured reserve (IR).

Nonetheless, the Bears engineered four turnovers, including two interceptions by Edmunds.

“They had good coverage on the receiver, put myself in position,” Edmunds said. “But, just the tight coverage and I was able to do it and even on the goal line play, the pass rushing, everybody doing their job, I was able to come away with a play. But, those plays don’t happen unless the other 10 guys on the field (are) doing their job.”

Dallas’ final three drives all ended in turnovers between Edmunds’ two interceptions and safety Kevin Byard’s interception at the end of the game when the Cowboys had some of their backups in the game. It seems fitting given how they started the game - with a turnover on the opening drive forced by cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.

Especially for a unit that has struggled at the beginning of the season, this is a game that builds a lot of confidence for the Bears.

“It’s a confidence builder. Anytime you can get a win in the league, it’s a confidence builder because it’s hard to win. We put a lot of work in week in and week out. We never got down on ourselves. We just put trust in each other, put our head down and we work,” Edmunds said. “So, it’s expected. I’m not going to act like we’re surprised because we put the work in. We got a good football team, good coaching staff and it was a representation of the work that we put in and I’m just glad that everybody was just, just to come in here and see smiles on everybody’s faces because we put a lot of time into it and this is what it should feel like.”

On the other side of the ball, it is always good to see a rookie have a breakout performance as wide receiver Luther Burden III did against Dallas.

He had an explosive 65-yard touchdown on a flea flicker that extended Chicago’s lead to 14-3 in the first quarter.

“He put his athleticism on display for everybody to see. He was able to catch the ball in space, the long touchdown pass that he had. I was happy to see that because he was balling,” Edmunds said. “He (is) a baller and he got that in him and each time he can put that on display for everybody to see, just extremely happy for him.”