Bears defense steps up to lead the way to win in opener as Caleb Williams, offense stall: 'We're going to be better'

CHICAGO (670 The Score) — As the Bears celebrated inside the home locker room of Soldier Field following their 24-17 comeback win over the Titans on Sunday, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams sat at his locker stall and watched his teammates savor the moment.

Williams was still wearing his full pads and navy blue jersey as the Bears stood around head coach Matt Eberflus, who praised his players for sticking together as they trailed 17-0 late in the first half. This was a "frustrating" debut for Williams and Chicago's offense, but it was also a hard-earned victory for a team that has grand hopes this season.

The win was what mattered to Williams far more than his own uneven performance.

"I sat down, enjoyed the moment," Williams said of the postgame scene inside the Bears' locker room. "Just watching our guys celebrate and understanding that I need to do better, and I will be better.

"It shows the personality, how much everybody believes in ourselves, the Chicago Bears. Defense believes in offense, offense believes in defense, special teams and so forth. We're happy to get this win."

On Wednesday, as the Bears began their preparations in earnest for the Titans, Williams noted he'd be fine with throwing for only 100 yards if it meant a win for his team. That was his reality Sunday at Soldier Field.

Williams was 14-of-29 for 93 yards while the Bears managed just 148 total yards of offense – and only 2.8 yards per play. Despite that, Williams became the first quarterback selected as the No. 1 overall pick to win his debut since David Carr did so for the Texans in 2002.

The Bears' victory came on the strength of their defense and special teams, which scored the team's two touchdowns. Chicago scored its first touchdown of the season early in the third quarter on Daniel Hardy's blocked punt, which was returned by Jonathan Owens for a touchdown. It was the execution of an opportunity the Bears believed would emerge based on film study earlier in the week.

Trailing 17-16 in the fourth quarter, the Bears created the game-winning score when edge rusher DeMarcus Walker pressured Titans quarterback Will Levis into a poor decision. Levis awkwardly attempted to throw the ball away while being forced to the ground, and Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson pulled it in along the sideline and raced the other way for a 43-yard pick-six.

Stevenson believed the play was ending in a sack by Walker, but he never gave up on it and the football found its way to him.

"Crib," Stevenson said. "I'm going to the crib. Celebrate with yourself, celebrate with your teammates.

"If (Levis) is going to make dumb decisions like that, we're going to make him pay for it."

Bears pass rusher Darrell Taylor, acquired by trade from the Seahawks on Aug. 23, posted two sacks in his debut for Chicago. Second-year defensive tackle Gervon Dexter added a sack, while Walker registered four quarterback hurries. Linebacker T.J. Edwards played sideline to sideline with 15 total tackles, including two for loss. And Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson capped the victory with an interception of Levis with 1:15 remaining, allowing Soldier Field to celebrate.

The Bears earned the type of win that was so familiar in the early part of this century, when a dominant defense and dynamic special teams units picked up a struggling offense. The difference was it wasn't supposed to be like that Sunday as Williams made his long-awaited debut.

The Bears didn't have a single drive move more than 46 yards. Rookie punter Tory Taylor booted away six footballs, while kicker Cairo Santos paid off three stalled series with field goals. There were penalties, poor offensive line play and costly drops.

It was also the type of performance that reminded everyone the Bears will scuffle at times offensively while being led by a rookie quarterback.

"We need all 11 guys on each and every play to be able to execute to get something done," rookie receiver Rome Odunze said. "Today, we struggled a little bit with that. Going forward, we'll be able to lock in and create some more chemistry and build this offense."

"When we all play together — offense, defense, special teams — it's going to be a scary thing when it all comes together," said top receiver DJ Moore, who led Chicago with five catches for 36 yards.

As the '70s band Meat Loaf once sang, "two out of three ain't bad." But the Bears want all three phases of their team to produce so they can play complementary football.

On Sunday, the Bears showcased a defense that can be dominant and an offense that has a long way to go. As for Williams, this wasn't how he envisioned his debut going, but it didn't take away from the joy he felt in earning a victory.

"I don't care about stats," Williams said. "I feel great. I'll be honest with you, I feel great. I understand that, obviously, the stats weren't where I want them to be and things like that because I want to go out there and perform to the best of my ability. I didn't do that today. We're going to get better tomorrow.

"We're going to be better next week."

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.