Eberflus: Bears Players 'Looked at Me Funny' When I Said 'We're a Team on the Rise'

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus surprised players when he told them that they were a team "on the rise" prior to their 30-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Eberflus mentioned Chicago's improved play on the offensive side of the ball from Week 4 to Week 6 despite finishing with a record of 1-2 during that stretch.

"I said, Guys, we're a team on the rise," he said. "They kind of looked at me funny. I was like, No, we are a team on the rise. Look at the scoring. Look at the scoring offense. Twenty-seven points a game."

This was before the Bears pummeled the Raiders' defense despite starting undrafted free agent Tyson Bagent at quarterback due to Justin Fields nursing a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand.

Bagent finished with 162 passing yards and a touchdown through the air, while adding 24 more yards on the ground.

Eberflus also complimented his team's defensive tenacity as of late.

"Look at the scoring defense in the last three weeks," he said. "Obviously we had to take off some of the defensive touchdowns they scored against us with takeaways, but we were like 15 points a game on defense. I said, Look at the run offense and look at the run defense. We're doing a lot of good things."

Chicago's 12 points allowed against the Raiders was the team's lowest mark all season. The Bears' defense picked off Las Vegas' quarterbacks three times on the day, one of which was returned for a touchdown by cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

While Chicago still sits in last place in the NFC North, it's a positive sign that both the team and coaching staff are improving with each week. One Fields is able to return, the Bears could potentially string a few consecutive wins together.