Caleb Williams may not have expected his performance in the Chicago Bears’ debut, but the outcome was favorable for the team.
In his first game as the Bears’ starting quarterback after being the first overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, Williams encountered challenges, finishing with a stat line that included 14 completions on 29 attempts for just 92 yards. Despite these difficulties, the Bears managed to secure a 24-17 victory, thanks to significant contributions from their defense and special teams.
The Bears found themselves down 17-3 at halftime, unable to establish momentum offensively in the first half. However, the tide turned in the third quarter when they blocked a Titans punt and returned it for a touchdown, narrowing the score to 17-10. Following two field goals from Chicago, a crucial pick-six from Titans quarterback Will Levis allowed the Bears to take a lead early in the fourth quarter.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Titans had a chance to even the score after a Bears punt with 2:20 left on the clock. Yet, Chicago’s defense held firm, preventing Tennessee from scoring and securing the win.
In contrast to the team’s defensive highlights, Williams struggled to make a significant offensive impact in his debut. He recorded an average of 3.2 yards per attempt and suffered losses due to two sacks. Despite the rocky beginning against a formidable NFL defense, the win certainly alleviated some of the pressure from his challenges on offense.
From the start, Tennessee’s defense proved intimidating. The Bears’ initial drive resulted in a mere 7 yards before punting. Chicago managed to gain a first down on their second drive but quickly stalled, resulting in another punt. They continued to find it tough, ending their third drive similarly.
With Tennessee ahead 17-0 toward the end of the second quarter, the Bears finally mounted a drive, reaching the Titans’ 6-yard line, but an incomplete pass led to just a field goal.
The Bears faced initial setbacks in the second half, losing yards on their first possession before the special teams delivered a key play. Defensive lineman Daniel Hardy blocked a Titans punt, which Jonathan Owens returned for a touchdown. This marked Owens’ first game with the Bears after joining from the Green Bay Packers.
While Chicago’s offense struggled to gain traction, they added two field goals aided by a fumble recovery from the Titans. The Bears’ defense then took center stage again when Tyrique Stevenson intercepted Levis, running back for a touchdown and giving the Bears a 24-17 advantage.
Though the Bears attempted to seal the game offensively with some productive runs, they had to punt once more. Tennessee resumed control with limited time left, but Jaylon Johnson’s interception of Levis ensured Chicago’s victory.
Despite only accumulating 148 total yards and converting just 2-of-13 on third down attempts, the Bears’ defense managed to force three turnovers from Tennessee, paving the way for a successful debut for Caleb Williams. He will have a week to refine his game before facing the Houston Texans in Week 2.