(104.3 The Score) The Bears made a statement under the primetime lights, beating the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks, 34-17, on Monday with a convincing three-phase performance. Here are the observations from Chicago's win in Seattle.
Super Bears?
That was more than just an impressive win for the Bears against a great opponent. It was a sign that Chicago has a true Super Bowl contender. A victory like that deserves that type of pronouncement.
The Bears are now 6-2 as they near the midway point of the regular season. They're 4-0 in games completed by quarterback Caleb Williams, who missed three games with a hamstring injury that he suffered in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Vikings on Sept. 20. In games that Williams has been healthy for the full duration, Chicago has averaged 38.5 points per game – with outputs of 59, 31, 30 and 34. Chicago's average margin of victory is 13.3 points in those four games.
Williams and head coach Ben Johnson are proving they can handle what any opposing defense throws at them.
On Monday, Williams became the first quarterback to surpass 200 yards passing against the Seahawks' vaunted defense this season. He reached that threshold in the third quarter and threw for 247 yards overall with a touchdown pass to receiver Luther Burden III. Running back D'Andre Swift rushed for three scores on the night.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears saw how stout their defense can be. Newly acquired superstar defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons was the catalyst the Bears hoped he'd be in his team debut. Chicago's defense flustered veteran quarterback Sam Darnold while Seattle never established its running game.
The Bears took it to a Seahawks team that lifted the Lombardi Trophy in February and one that has been billed as a championship-caliber team once again.
Anyone who watched that game in Chicago, Seattle or around the country came away saying wow. The Bears have a team capable of winning the Super Bowl this season. Johnson has instilled the type of confidence – a healthy arrogance, you might say – that it takes to be great. Williams has followed Johnson's lead since they were paired together, and Chicago believes in what's to come.
Though the Bears are still looking up in the NFC North standings at the moment, teams are now looking their way. Because when you win a game like that in Seattle, respect is earned.
Simmons' start
Simmons recorded six tackles, two tackles for a loss and one sack in his Bears debut, and his impact extended beyond his individual production.
"He's a multiplier," Bears general manager Ryan Poles said of Simmons last week.
Monday proved that. Veteran defensive end Montez Sweat had his most active game of the season. In returning from a two-game suspension, Sweat record his third sack of the season and had two others wiped away by penalties in the secondary. Paired with his former Mississippi State teammate Simmons, Sweat couldn't be contained.
Bears linebacker Devin Bush was also more active to the football with Simmons plugging the middle. Third-year defensive end Austin Booker flashed, as did veteran defensive lineman James Lynch.
In the secondary, the Bears prevented Seahawks star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba from wrecking the game. He had six receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown. He burned the Bears for 43-yard touchdown reception late in the first half, but he had a quiet second half. Darnold struggled to spread the football anywhere else.
Poles and the Bears still have one more week until the NFL trade deadline. The expectation is the Bears will continue to be active. In particular, they could use an upgrade at cornerback. It remains possible to reunite with nine-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Khalil Mack, who played in Chicago from 2018-21.
With Simmons in the fold, the Bears have a defense that's one of the better units in the league – and it's coupled with an offense that can light up the scoreboard.
Extra points
--- Ten years to the date of the Cubs' win in Game 7 of the World Series, ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Joe Buck offered a phrase he used in that game for the Bears: "What a start." That came after a 17-play, 80-yard touchdown drive for Chicago that followed the Bears forcing the Seahawks into an early three-and-out. The tone was set there.
--- The connection between Williams and Burden has continued to evolve this season, and it will be important for many years to come.
--- Sweat wanted to prove himself with his performance following his two-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on using performance-enhancing substances. He played with a high motor in this win.
--- The Bears special teams, led by coordinator Richard Hightower, certainly did their part well.
--- In December 2024, the Seahawks beat the Bears by a score of 6-3 at Soldier Field. That feels like decades ago.
--- No, that shot you saw on the broadcast of Poles wasn't him fielding trade calls. But he has one more week to be active and work the phones.
--- That was an absolute clinic by the Bears.
--- I picked the Bears to lose this game. I'm not sure when I'll predict another loss.
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
