CHICAGO BEARS 33, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 14
Q. Justin, can you describe the satisfaction and the energy rush of this one here tonight?
JF: Yeah. Feels good. Of course, everybody was excited, everybody was happy after the win. So just proud of the way the guys came out, started the game and, of course, the way we finished, so yeah.
Q. Higher volume of designed runs for you tonight. What did you think of the game plan?
JF: Yeah. I thought they were good. I thought brought a whole different element to our offense. I think we executed that well. And there were definitely some explosive in the design runs for sure.
Q. Eberflus talked about those designed runs, to be smart, find the side line make a smart decision there. Is that easier to do when they're designed when they're called for you and blocked versus your scramble?
JF: Yeah. Kind of my mindset going in, I wasn't trying to take many big hits. So I knew I had more designed runs this game. I knew I was going to have to run the ball a little bit more. Just being able to last the entire game was big for sure.
Q. You guys talk a lot about the interconnectedness of the different phases of the game. What did it do for you to have the defense continue to get the ball back and stop them and help you guys build momentum?
JF: YEAH. That's just playing complEmentary football so offense, defense, special teams. The defense gave us takeaways. And we always talk about plus 2 with a turnover differential. So defense did a great job with that. And special teams, we had a few good returns. First half, we had good field position pretty much every drive. So definitely proud of just everybody the way they executed today.
Q. Do you feel like THE GAME ADJUSTMENTS THAT WERE MADE DURING THE MINI-BYE ARE playing better to your strength?
JF: Yeah. For sure. I think we had a great game plan coming in. And I'm just proud of the way everybody came in and executed it.
Q. The RPOs, how does that help when you're out there being able to execute?
JF: Yeah. JUST makes our offense more complex, just getting us out of the pocket, just MORE designed quarterback runs. IT JUST opens it UP a little bit more. So, you know, just doing a lot of different things on offense.
Q. Can you take us through that sequence, the pressure got there probably quicker than you were expecting?
JF: Yeah. They brought it ALL out. That was our second time running that play. The first time, THE BALL GOT BATTED DOWN. THAT D-END CAME RUNNING FREE SO I SAW HIM AND JUST KIND OF punt faked it and went side armed a little bit. WE work on that in practice just maneuvering the screens around the D-END. So of course it was a great catch and run by KHALIL and really a great play call and great execution by everybody.
Q. As soon as you completed it, did you see the run he had?
JF: I didn't see it. I got smacked on that play. I was asking for the reF -- I was asking the reF what he saw on the roughing the passer. That's why I've got this big mark. I GOT SMACKED ON THAT PLAY. I didn't know he scored until somebody came up and told me.
Q. Do you see this game for you as reflective of the bigger picture IMPROVEMENTS?
JF: Yeah. My main goal right now is to continue to improve each and every day each and every game. So, again, kind of look at tomorrow with the film, really tonight on what can I get better at and what I can improve on as an individual and what we can improve on as a team. So we're just focused on getting better each and every day.
Q. I feel like WE talk every WEEK about your toughness taking these hits. But when you get sandwiched between two helmets essentially what did that feel like? I know it hurts.
JF: It felt all right. Of course, it doesn't hurt as bad when you score a touchdown on it. But it's a part of football. So, again, can't really do about it, just got to get up and move on.
Q. I thought it looked like the two guys once you were down actually kind of checked on you.
JF: No. They were saying that it wasn't a -- they were arguing with me because I went to the REF saying, you know, like where is the flag. But they were yelling at me that's not a flag. So they weren't checking on me at all.
Q. (No microphone) ...show you the last seven days and getting back to work?
JF: Yeah. Just the resilience, you know. Everybody of course was devastated after the loss and just the way we fought and just the way we prepared throughout the week. I thought guys were locked in through meetings, through walk-throughs. And pretty much our motto this week was finish everything whether it was in practice, halfway through practice, we started practice strong, just finishing the rest of the practice. Finish the day focused in and locked in on meetings. So, again, I'm just proud of everybody the way they prepared this week and the way they performed today. It's always great ending the night with a dub for sure.
Q. Justin, you always think a win is going to be the start of something. Is there anything about the quality of this win or circumstances that indicates to you this has a little more staying power as a momentum builder?
JF: For sure. Definitely momentum. But again we can't get too high on the win. We've got to get reset wednesday and come in and prepare like any other week, prepare like last week. I know our guys aren't going to be satisfied with just this win and we're going to get back to work this week.
Q. Is this encouraging?
Jf: Yeah. For sure. It's way more encouraging. Fixing misstates is always easier after a win. So again proud of the guys. I know they're going to come in on Wednesday with that same energy, same fight that they did last week preparing for the cowboys.
Q. Is this the most meaningful win you've had since you've been here two years and, if so, why?
JF: No. Not really. I think every win is meaningful. So I don't take any game for granted. I'm just glad we got the win and, again, just proud of everyone. Appreciate you all.
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