With murmurs of a potential “trap game” and fears of a letdown against an inferior opponent, the Bears needed to make a statement.
They did just that in resoundingly beating a poor Cleveland Browns outfit, 31-3, at frigid Soldier Field.
Sometimes the term “statement win” gets thrown around too lightly, but whose to say you can’t make many statements? The Bears stated that they’re not going to play down to the level of their opponent and that they can put away teams they’re supposed to, and not let them hang around.
Offensive Explosion: Fast Start and Key Playmakers
The Bears started fast — their 3-and-out on the opening drive notwithstanding — scoring 14 points in the first quarter. It looked every bit the blowout that one would expect from a playoff contender versus a team ready for Cancun.
The second quarter was a little bit rough. Although they successfully drove 60 yards on 14 plays that chewed up a whopping 9:28 of game clock, a Cairo Santos missed field goal left them without points. They had a 3-and-out on their next series before ending the half without any more points as their final drive ran out of time.
Despite their second quarter struggles, the second half is when the offense really broke things open.
Following a D’Marco Jackson interception, the Bears immediately went for the jugular when Caleb Williams rolled to his right and found D.J. Moore crossing in the back of the end zone. Moore went up and caught it amongst two Browns defenders, accomplishing one of the best throws and catches we’ve seen this year.
The offense would then go on to score 10 more points to ice the game.
The Dynamic Duo
Caleb’s success was largely fueled by his top two playmakers:
• D’Andre Swift: The veteran running back was a force, carving up the Browns’ defense with speed and physicality. Swift rushed for 98 rushing yards on 18 carries (a 5.4 yards-per-carry average) and found the end zone twice. His 17-yard touchdown run in the third quarter — where he cut back and broke multiple tackles — was a major play that widened the gap to 28-3.
• DJ Moore: The veteran receiver was Williams’ favorite target, with Rome Odunze out and Luther Burden suffering an in-game ankle injury. Moore hauled in two touchdowns in key moments. The first touchdown broke the game open early and the second was, for all intents and purposes, the dagger.
As always, incredible play by the offensive line was the engine that made this offense go. Good play calling by Ben Johnson and execution from Caleb made this a thorough offensive effort from start to finish.
Defensive Masterclass: Takeaways and Pressure Seal the Deal
The offense may have set the tone, but the defense swooped in and delivered the knockout blow.
Despite all the hoopla over Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ recent play of late, the Bears exploited a patchwork offensive line and left Sanders uncomfortable for much of the game.
The defense allowed just 3 points on the day and held the Browns offense to just 192 total yards. They also picked off Sanders three times, setting up their own offense with advantageous field position.
Once those takeaways started rolling in, it was all downhill for the Browns after that.
A brief recap of those interceptions:
• D’Marco Jackson’s Game-Changer: Jackson tipped and intercepted a pass at the Browns’ 22-yard line. The offense capitalized on the very next play with a touchdown to DJ Moore (21-3).
• Jaylon Johnson’s Swipe: Johnson intercepted a deep pass intended for Jerry Jeudy in the end zone, snatching the ball as it fell through the receiver’s hands. This highlight-reel interception nullified a potential Browns scoring drive and led to D’Andre Swift’s 17-yard touchdown run (28-3).
• C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s Snag: Gardner-Johnson later snagged a third interception, setting up a Cairo Santos field goal to complete the 31-3 rout.
The defense scored 17 points off those three takeaways, cementing the victory.
Playoff Statement Heading Into Final Stretch
The 31-3 rout was a major statement for the Bears moving forward. It secured them the division lead once again and gives them the No. 2 seed at the moment.
The Bears have control of their position moving forward — I refuse to use the word “fate” as no one controls that. If the Bears win out, they at least have the second seed, with the potential of sneaking into the top slot and a first round bye.
Is it reasonable to expect them to win out? Probably not, given the level of competition they face in the Packers, 49ers, and Lions.
But they are in great position to secure at least a playoff spot with a win and a Lions loss. Knocking off the Packers this week would be a great way to make yet one more “statement” in this, Ben Johnson’s first year on the job.
