The Chicago Bears Force Four Dallas Cowboys Turnovers, Dominate 31-14
The Chicago Bears upset the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday to get their first win of the season. Dallas turned the ball over four times en route to a 31-14 loss at Soldier Field. The Cowboys lost more than just the game, having to play more than half the game without star Wide Receiver CeeDee Lamb. Lamb left the game in the first half with an ankle injury.
Caleb Williams Shines
Caleb Williams had a huge day for the Chicago offense. The second-year quarterback completed 19 of 28 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns. He hit Rome Odunze down the sideline for a 35-yard score on the team’s second possession. After a Dallas field goal, Chicago got tricky. On the first play of their next drive, Williams hit Luther Burden III for a 65-yard touchdown on a flea-flicker.
Williams ended the first half with his third touchdown pass, a 10-yard strike to Tight End Cole Kmet. The former top overall pick then hit his final touchdown to end the third quarter, finding DJ Moore on a fourth-and-goal play from the Dallas four-yard line.
The Bears’ Defense Recovers After A Bad Week Two
The Bears’ defense got lit up for 52 points in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions, but the unit made up for it this week in major fashion. Tyrique Stevenson ripped the ball away from Dallas Running Back Javonte Williams along the sidelines on the Cowboys’ opening drive for a forced fumble and recovery.
The Bears then closed out the game with interceptions on all three of Dallas’ fourth-quarter possessions. Chicago Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds picked off two Dak Prescott passes, and then Kevin Byard sealed the game with an interception of Cowboys backup QB Joe Milton III in the end zone.
The Cowboys Were Outmatched
The Cowboys did not look good on offense or defense in this game. The offense could not finish drives or take care of the football. Prescott was 31-of-40 for 251 yards and a touchdown, but also had those two crucial interceptions.
Williams led Dallas’ revitalized run game with 10 rushes for 76 yards, but his fumble set the tone for the Cowboys early on in the game. George Pickens caught Prescott’s lone touchdown pass, but couldn’t hold onto a pass in the fourth quarter that ended up being an interception. Jake Ferguson was the lone bright spot for the Cowboys, hauling in 13-of-14 targets for 82 yards.
On defense, Dallas’ run defense held Chicago to 87 yards on 3.0 yards per carry, but they constantly gave up big plays in the passing game. The team’s front seven could not get any pressure on Williams, and their banged-up secondary struggled to keep up with Bear receivers. Two-time Pro Bowl Cornerback Trevon Diggs dealt with an illness and a knee injury during the week and suffered a shoulder injury in the second half. The Cowboys’ other Pro Bowl Corner, DaRon Bland, missed his second straight game with a foot injury.
What’s Next?
The Bears are now 1-2 on the season. The Bears will travel to Las Vegas next Sunday for a 3:25 p.m. (CST) game with the Raiders (1-2). After the loss, Dallas is also 1-2. The Cowboys will host the Green Bay Packers (2-1) in a 7:20 p.m. (CST) Sunday night matchup in Week Four.
Game Notes
Lamb left the game in the first quarter after a rushing attempt when a defender landed on his ankle. He returned for one play in the second quarter and hobbled off the field. He did not return. Diggs injured his shoulder on a pass play to DJ Moore in the second half. A few plays later, defensive tackle Kenny Clark injured his ankle. Clark did return to the game later. All three players will be evaluated after the game.
Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson got his first win as an NFL head coach. Chicago Tight End Colston Loveland left the game in the second quarter with a hip injury. He did not return. Before the injury, Loveland had one catch for 31 yards.
