1. In case you haven’t noticed, the Ravens defense is back. And that’s saying something, considering their so-so pass rush and questionable cornerback play. But on Sunday, everyone in black was clicking as the Ravens tied a franchise record with six takeaways. Sure, Jay Cutler’s erratic play helped, but give the Ravens credit for getting back to their ballhawking ways — even with Ed Reed wearing street clothes on the sidelines.

2. Joe Flacco was back in early-season form, throwing a career-high four touchdown passes against a pretty respectable Chicago secondary. Flacco showed excellent touch on a few plays, lofting balls over cornerbacks and in front of safeties in zone coverage. Note that most of Flacco’s throws were outside the numbers, his bread and butter.

3. Cutler’s QB rating: 7.9. And that score was from the Russian judge, too. Not too shabby, Jay.

4. With wide receivers Mark Clayton and Kelley Washington inactive, the Ravens needed someone other than Derrick Mason to step up in the passing game. Given his umpteenth opportunity to make his mark, Demetrius Williams finally came through, hauling in four passes for 71 yards and one acrobatic touchdown. That play — he leapt over two Bears to catch a virtual jump ball — showed off the big-play ability that has made scouts salivate. Now can he keep it going the rest of the season?

5. Domonique Foxworth has taken a beating from fans and media — you can include me among his critics — so it was nice to see him pick off two passes against the Bears. The fact is, though, that he’s better off covering a team’s No. 2 receiver instead of top talents such as Reggie Wayne and Chad Ochocinco — even if Foxworth’s fat contract suggests otherwise.

6. The Ravens offensive line, with Michael Oher at left tackle and Oniel Cousins on the right side, was impressive against the Bears. Early in the game, the Ravens had success running to the left with Oher and left guard Ben Grubbs plowing lanes for Ray Rice. And when the Ravens went to the air, the line usually gave Flacco a nice pocket to throw from. That unit faces a tough test next weekend in Pittsburgh, though.

7. This was the Ravens’ last home game of 2009, so I’d like to thank the team’s cheerleaders for another impressive season. On Sunday, they brought their ‘A’ game, wearing sexy purple Santa outfits despite chilly temperatures. You have to think their tenacity and dedication to their craft made this win possible. Thank you for cheering like a Raven, ladies. Baltimore appreciates it.

Three key plays:

1. The Ravens got off to a quick start against the Bears with two first-quarter touchdown catches from tight end Todd Heap (above). On both plays, Heap ran out routes (the first one to the left, the second to the right) and shielded a Bears defender from the ball in the end zone. Simple, yet effective.

2. Chicago’s Earl Bennett made things interesting in the second quarter when he returned a Sam Koch punt 49 yards for a touchdown that pulled the Bears within seven points. Bennett broke a couple of Ravens tackles as he weaved his way down the right sideline to the pylon.

3. Earlier in the third quarter, the Ravens put away the Bears when Demetrius Williams hauled in a Joe Flacco bomb in the end zone. Flacco threw the ball up for grabs, and Williams went up and got it over two Bears defenders to put the Ravens up, 21-7. The Ravens rolled from there.

Matt Vensel is a content creator for b. E-mail him at matt@bthesite.com.

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