A special second-half defensive touchdown gave the home Chicago Bears a thrilling 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, marking the highly-anticipated NFL debut of quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Bears, who rallied to score a formidable 24 unanswered points, showcased a resilience that left the Titans stunned despite Tennessee’s 244-148 advantage in total yards.
The pivotal moment came when Tyrique Stevenson flipped the script with a sensational 43-yard touchdown run off an interception, giving the Bears (1-0) their first lead of the game with 7:35 left on the clock. In a bid to escape pressure, Titans quarterback Will Levis made a costly throw that landed right into Stevenson’s waiting arms.
Chicago’s momentum surged in the third quarter when Daniel Hardy blocked a Ryan Stonehouse punt, allowing Jonathan Owens to recover the ball and sprint 18 yards for a touchdown, the Bears’ first of the game with 9:07 remaining in the quarter.
Veteran kicker Cairo Santos contributed significantly, nailing field goals from 24, 50, and 48 yards to bolster Chicago’s scoring efforts.
Despite the victory, it was a tough outing for the No. 1 overall pick, Williams. Adjusting to his new role, the rookie managed to complete only 14 of 29 passes for 92 yards, with top target DJ Moore catching five passes for 36 yards. New running back acquisition D’Andre Swift also struggled to break through, amassing just 30 yards on 10 carries.
For the Titans (0-1), Levis delivered a mixed performance, completing 19 of 32 passes for 127 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Tony Pollard played a standout role, tallying 82 yards and a touchdown from 16 carries, while Calvin Ridley added three receptions for 50 yards.
Pollard set the tone early, bursting through with a 26-yard touchdown run just 41 seconds before the end of the first quarter. Nick Folk extended Tennessee’s lead with a 40-yard field goal shortly after a Bears fumble on the ensuing kickoff.
The Titans seemed to dominate heading into halftime, particularly after Levis connected with Chig Okonkwo for a 17-yard touchdown, capping off a grueling 14-play, 73-yard drive that consumed over eight minutes, setting their lead at 17-0.
Stubbornness paid off for Chicago as they finally got on the scoreboard with a 24-yard field goal by Santos with just 27 seconds left in the first half.
The Bears struggled initially, going three-and-out on their first possession and awkwardly ending their second offensive series with a sack from 19 yards out shortly after a fourth-down conversion.
In a pulsating debut for Williams and a dramatic come-from-behind victory, the Bears have set a thrilling tone for the season. This game will be remembered for its defining defensive plays and the electrifying energy that filled Soldier Field.
