(104.3 The Score) The Bears bounced back with a 31-23 win over the Falcons on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Quarterback Caleb Williams returned from a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury and had a strong performance, while nickelback Kyler Gordon had a terrific season debut with three sacks. A late comeback attempt by the Falcons was thwarted by a gutsy Bears defense. Here are the observations of the day after the Bears improved to 4-2.
Response on display
In head coach Ben Johnson's young tenure in Chicago, the Bears have responded admirably to losses. Under Johnson's direction, they're 5-2 in the regular season after losses and 6-2 if you include their win in the wild-card round after a loss in their regular-season finale last season. That’s a credit to the culture forged by Johnson.
On Oct. 11, the Bears had arguably their ugliest performance under Johnson in suffering a 31-7 loss to the rival Packers. They then boarded a short flight from Green Bay to Chicago and pressed forward with resilience.
There was some soul searching and harsh criticism inside Halas Hall, which should be the case after a loss like that. The Bears’ heart was evident in their win over the Falcons as they played a strong game in all three phases.
Williams was 30-of-36 for 305 yards and a touchdown, guiding an efficient offensive effort. Last Thursday, Williams showed his edge in sharing his frustration over reporting on the severity of his hamstring injury. It was clear he was playing with a little extra motivation Sunday.
The same goes for Gordon, who has endured injury problems since the start of the 2025 season. Gordon missed all of training camp and the first five games due to a calf injury. For part of that time, he worked away from Halas Hall with his own medical team, and the Bears expressed their frustration with his absence.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles candidly said in September that he wasn’t sure if Gordon would be back this season. Contingency plans were formed for their defensive identity, one that's much stronger with Gordon on the field. Sunday reminded everyone why.
Gordon became the first NFL defensive back since 2000 to record three sacks and two forced fumbles in a single game. He did so as Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen unleashed him as a key chess piece.
While Poles and Johnson were clearly frustrated by Gordon’s absence, Allen was simply eager to have him back. After all, Gordon’s performance is never the issue. He just has to stay healthy.
The Bears will soon be tested again. They have a short week as they prepare to host the Patriots on Thursday at Soldier Field.
There's no 24-hour rule to celebrate this victory. The Bears must get right back to work.
Extra points
--- With Williams back in the fold, tight end Colston Loveland was featured more. He had six catches for a season-high 65 yards and the touchdown on the opening drive. Loveland needs to continue to be a focal point of this offense.
--- The Bears received key contributions on defense from several former Falcons: defensive lineman Kentavius Street, cornerback Clark Phillips III and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who got a game ball on the flight back from his home of Atlanta.
--- Allen has done a good job of leading the Bears defense through its injuries.
--- Rookie safety Dillon Thieneman picked up his first NFL sack, with a little help from several teammates. The Bears were flying to the football.
--- Falcons star running back Bijan Robinson had just nine carries for 61 yards and two receptions for minus-8 yards. The Bears had him marked all day long.
--- The Bears lost starting right guard Jonah Jackson to a hip injury. That could be a significant loss, as he had been playing at a high level this season. The extent of his injury wasn't immediately clear.
--- Johnson took his foot off the pedal a bit in the fourth quarter, with an eye toward the short week. That was uncharacteristic of his team.
--- A 4-2 record despite Williams finishing just two games feels like a good start for the Bears.
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
