Overview
- Caleb Williams completed 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards and one touchdown in a highly efficient outing that helped the Bears beat the Falcons 31-23 on Sunday.
- Williams had missed three games with a hamstring issue and said his hamstring “felt good,” though he and the team said managing the injury will be an ongoing, weekly priority.
- Chicago was flagged 12 times for 133 yards in the game, including seven offensive penalties that produced the franchise’s largest single-game penalty yardage since 2016 and that risk undermining drives.
- Cornerback Kyler Gordon returned from a calf injury and made a rare impact in 17 snaps with three sacks and two forced fumbles, while young receivers Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland combined for 13 catches and 160 yards.
- Analysts raised the Bears’ profile in weekly power rankings after the win, and Chicago faces a quick turnaround with a Thursday home game against the New England Patriots that will test Williams’ short-week recovery and the team’s discipline.