CHICAGO (670 The Score) — The Bears rallied back once again Sunday. Trailing by 10 points in the fourth quarter, they scored two late touchdowns to earn a 24-20 win over the Giants at Soldier Field.
The game continued a common theme for the Bears this season. They played an inconsistent, often uninspiring brand of football but still found a way to win as they improved to 6-3. Here are observations from Soldier Field.
Two objectives being checked
In head coach Ben Johnson's first season here in Chicago, the Bears aren’t a rebuilding team – not after spending three years fortifying their roster – but they also aren't a group that was built to compete for a championship yet.
After a disappointing 2024 campaign, the Bears had two main goals for the 2025 season. The first was for Johnson to establish a new culture and for the team to earn more victories along the way to showcase progress. In earning their sixth win of the season Sunday, the Bears have already surpassed their total from 2024, when they went 5-12. The organization's second objective is to develop 23-year-old quarterback Caleb Williams. That box is certainly being checked.
On Sunday, Williams led a fourth-quarter comeback win for the fourth time this season. He's tied for the NFL lead in that category.
With the Bears trailing 20-10, Williams found receiver Rome Odunze for a two-yard touchdown with 3:56 remaining in the game. That capped a nine-play, 91-yard scoring drive. With 1:47 remaining, Williams rushed for a game-winning 17-yard touchdown.
Williams’ performance in the clutch is no coincidence. The Bears have come to rely on him rising to the occasion.
"I can feel my body just kind of settle down,” Williams said. “I think that's important for me when I’m out there in those moments, but also the calmness, demeanor of when I’m in the huddle, looking those guys in the eyes, the belief, the faith, living in the known in those moments. It provides a certain level of confidence for us to be able to go out there and deliver."
The Bears were outplayed by the Giants for three quarters Sunday, a reminder that they aren't good enough to make a playoff run in their current form. Then again, Johnson's goal is for the Bears to win games and play their best brand of football in December and January. There's still time to do that.
What we know at this point is the Bears' two most important priorities are being addressed. The Bears are winning games, and Williams is leading the way. Anything else that comes of this 2025 campaign is a welcome bonus.
If there’s a chance for more...
This Bears defense has really missed Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, standout nickelback Kyler Gordon and dynamic linebacker T.J. Edwards.
As of Monday morning, Chicago ranked 27th in total defense and 28th in scoring defense. The unit struggled to contain Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart on Sunday before he left with a concussion at the start of the fourth quarter.
This Bears defense simply isn't good enough to compete at a high level without those key players. If those three starters get back – and the Bears avoid other key injuries – maybe the team can make a run.
Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has done everything he can to bring stability to the group. That includes the recent addition of veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who has three sacks in two games with Chicago.
Gordon is eligible to return for the Bears’ game against the Steelers on Nov. 23, and there’s optimism that will be the case. Edwards has avoided a stint on injured reserve, meaning he's expected to return in the coming weeks. Johnson's status remains unclear. He’s still recovering from core muscle surgery in September, though there’s some hope he can return late in the season.
For now, this is a struggling, depleted Bears defense trying to do get by and give the team a chance to win.
A hidden highlight
Late in the fourth quarter on the Bears’ penultimate drive, rookie tight end Colston Loveland made an impressive catch on a ball thrown behind him. It was a 20-yard pickup that extended a scoring drive.
But the real highlight on the play came from Bears right tackle Darnell Wright, who absolutely bullied Giants star pass rusher Brian Burns.
Extra points
--- On the first play from scrimmage, Williams threw a completion to Odunze. It was only fitting after Odunze addressed questions earlier in the week about his father James' social media post criticizing the Bears' usage of his son.
--- Defensive end Montez Sweat is playing at a high level. He has 5.5 sacks for the season, but his impact has extended beyond just that statistical category.
--- Bears wide receivers had far too many drops. Olamide Zaccheaus might see his role reduced after letting four passes slip through his hands Sunday.
--- Receiver DJ Moore continues to prove that he’s one tough dude. He played through sharp pain in his shoulder in this one while also still managing a hip issue.
--- Do the Giants win that game with Jameis Winston as their backup quarterback instead of Russell Wilson? At the least, they probably would've won if Dart stayed healthy.
--- With 10:21 left in the the fourth quarter, the Giants kicked a 19-yard field goal on fourth-and-goal at the Bears' 1-yard line to extend their lead to 20-10. Taking a two-score lead is reasonable thinking in some instances, but it was the wrong call for a team that entered the day at 2-7. Giants head coach Brian Daboll left the door open for the Bears.
--- Once again, the Bears believed they'd come back and win. That matters.
--- The Ben Johnson effect is real.
--- Who doesn’t love a snow game?
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.