It's been a mixed week for Eddie Jackson.
On Sunday, the Bears we eliminated from the playoffs. On Tuesday night, the third-year safety was selected to the Pro Bowl for the second straight year.
"It's good, you know, wonderful feeling, a blessing," said Jackson. "I just wish the season had went a little bit different, but it's always a blessing."
Jackson wasn't expecting the selection, saying that he worries more about the team's success on the field, but he appreciates the respect from his coaches and peers.
Jackson has started all but two games for the Bears since being drafted in the fourth round in 2017. Since Week 4, he's played on every single defensive snap. The Alabama product broke out in 2018 with six interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
The season, Jackson has accounted for 56 combined tackles, including five for a loss and a sack. Interceptions have been harder to come by this year, with his only pick of the season coming on the final defensive play against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving.
Before he takes the field in Orlando next month, Jackson is determined to finish the season on a high note. The safety said that he's excited and motivated to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
"It's our last home game this week," said Jackson. "It's prime time. That always motivates you when you go out there. You got a prime time game. Everyone's going to be watching, so you know you got to bring your A-game."
Jackson made note of the talent he'll face this week, highlighting the difficulty of covering the Chiefs' speedy receiving corps. However, he believes the Chiefs passing attack should present plenty of opportunities for interceptions.
"They got an all-around squad on offense, man," said Jackson. "It's a lot of threats, so for us, we're ready for the challenge. Most definitely ready for it. The back end, we know we're going to have a lot of opportunities for the ball this week. That's why we're so excited."
Jackson said that he sees the last two games as being meaningful, a chance to go out with a winning record. He said that he didn't need any extra motivation to play hard, listing a few things that were keeping him going.
"Just playing for one another," said Jackson, "just keeping that brotherhood going and know these last two games we're going to finish off strong with wins."
