NFL

Cincinnati Bengals at Chicago Bears

· National Football League
0-2, 0-1 Away
Final
3 - 27
3-0, 2-0 Home

Caleb Williams runs for TD, leads 2 scoring drives as Bears beat Bengals 27-3

Orlovsky gives bold comparison for Caleb Williams

It was just the sort of play Chicago hopes to see on a consistent basis.

Williams made another good impression in his first appearance at Soldier Field since being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick, running for a touchdown and leading two scoring drives, and the Bears beat the Cincinnati Bengals 27-3 on Saturday.

Williams got off to a slow start coming off an impressive and brief showing last week at Buffalo in his first preseason appearance. Chicago went three-and-out on its first three possessions on a rainy afternoon. The former USC star then showed the arm and elusiveness the Bears are banking on, leading them to a field goal and scrambling for a touchdown.

Williams completed 6 of 13 passes for 75 yards against Cincinnati's backups, including the 45-yarder to Odunze. That set up a 7-yard touchdown scramble late in the second quarter.

“We’re going to be explosive,” Williams said. “We’re two rooks, but we’re trying to catch up to some older guys as fast as we can. We’ve got to make sure we’re right there on par with them, to be able to be efficient, function, got out there and be explosive, be on the same page and win games. Ultimately that’s what we’re here to do. And to have a guy like that who was drafted with me, we’re going to keep growing and keep building this connection.”

Odunze, the No. 9 overall draft pick, also had a 16-yard run on an end-around to help set up a field goal. Khalil Herbert carried five times for 31 yards.

Tyson Bagent started the second half for Chicago and threw two touchdown passes to Dante Pettis. He was 7 of 8 for 87 yards with a 151.6 rating before Brett Rypien took over midway through the fourth.

Simone Biles, fresh off winning three more Olympic gold medals in Paris and wearing a Green Bay Packers jacket, cheered on her husband, safety Jonathan Owens from the Chicago sideline. The jacket had an image of Owens, who signed with Chicago after spending last year with the rival Packers.

“She hasn’t been around much so she doesn’t have a lot of Bears gear and she was just supporting me,” he said. “That was all about her showing her support of her husband. We’re going to have to get her some more Bears gear.”

Logan Woodside started at quarterback for Cincinnati with the Bengals holding out Joe Burrow and backup Jake Browning out with a rib injury. He was 17 of 25 for 132 yards and two interceptions before Rocky Lombardi took over late in the third.

Evan McPherson, armed with a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension, kicked a 54-yard field goal at the end of the first half.

Second-round draft pick Kris Jenkins Jr. sacked Williams. The Bengals committed 11 penalties for 123 yards, and that frustrated coach Zac Taylor even though the starters weren't playing.

“There were just some things that should be avoidable,” he said. “It has nothing to do with talent, it has nothing to do with scheme. We just have to do a better job operationally handling some of those situations.”

Williams and the Bears got going early in the second quarter, after Amen Ogbongbemiga picked off a pass deep in Chicago territory. The Bengals were on the 22 when Josh Blackwell hit Woodside as he threw, and the ball popped up, leading to the interception.

Chicago took over at the 26. A 43-yard pass interference penalty against Josh Newton trying to defend a throw to Tyler Scott put the ball on the 15, leading to a field goal for the Bears.

The Bears added to their lead on their next drive when Williams, throwing on the run, hit Odunze deep along the left sideline. The 45-yard completion was his longest of the preseason.

Williams then spun away from two defenders on third down for a 7-yard touchdown, making it 10-0.

“It’s pretty unreal, honestly,” Odunze said. “I just watched it back. Man he’s throwing off of one leg, putting it on my outside shoulder. It’s like, oooh! It’s magical what he’s doing back there in that backfield. He’s special.”

UP NEXT

Bengals: Host Indianapolis on Thursday.

Bears: Visit Kansas City on Thursday.

How can I watch Bengals vs. Bears?

  • TV Channel: Bengals at Bears 2021-22 NFL, week 3 is broadcasted nationally on NFL Net and NFL+.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
    In Canada, viewers can watch Bengals vs. Bears on DAZN.

Scoring Summary

CHI FG 2nd Period 9:08 Cairo Santos 37 Yd Field Goal
CHI TD 2nd Period 1:33 Caleb Williams 7 Yd Run (Cairo Santos Kick)
CIN FG 2nd Period 0:00 Evan McPherson 54 Yd Field Goal
CHI TD 3rd Period 7:46 Dante Pettis 4 Yd pass from Tyson Bagent (Cairo Santos Kick)
CHI TD 3rd Period 3:18 Dante Pettis 25 Yd pass from Tyson Bagent (Cairo Santos Kick)
CHI FG 4th Period 10:17 Cairo Santos 51 Yd Field Goal

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/cin.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCIN https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/chi.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCHI
15 1st Downs 15
12 Passing 1st downs 8
2 Rushing 1st downs 6
1 1st downs from penalties 1
7-15 3rd down efficiency 2-10
1-1 4th down efficiency 1-1
60 Total Plays 50
226 Total Yards 299
3.8 Yards per Play 6.0
10 Total Drives 10
144 Passing 209
21/33 Comp/Att 16/25
4.1 Yards per pass 8.0
2 Interceptions thrown 0
2-21 Sacks-Yards Lost 1-6
82 Rushing 90
25 Rushing Attempts 24
3.3 Yards per rush 3.8
0-0 Red Zone (Made-Att) 2-4
11-123 Penalties 4-38
3 Turnovers 0
1 Fumbles lost 0
2 Interceptions thrown 0
0 Defensive / Special Teams TDs 0
33:31 Possession 26:29
Chicago Bears Chicago Bears Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Ian Wheeler, RB Questionable Feb 10
Bill Murray, G Questionable Feb 10
Braxton Jones, OT Questionable Feb 10
Jaquan Brisker, S Questionable Feb 10
Ryan Bates, C Questionable Feb 10
Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Cam Sample, DE Questionable Mar 13
Evan McPherson, PK Questionable Feb 17
Logan Wilson, LB Questionable Feb 10
DJ Turner II, CB Questionable Feb 10
Lance Robinson, CB Questionable Feb 10

Game Information

Soldier Field

Location: Chicago, IL
Attendance: 59,829 · Capacity:

2024 AFC North Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Baltimore 12 5 .706 0 518 361
Pittsburgh 10 7 .588 0 380 347
Cincinnati 9 8 .529 0 472 434
Cleveland 3 14 .176 0 258 435

2024 NFC North Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Detroit 15 2 .882 0 564 342
Minnesota 14 3 .824 0 432 332
Green Bay 11 6 .647 0 460 338
Chicago 5 12 .294 0 310 370
Full Standings

NFL News

Canty: Cowboys have to start considering a Dak Prescott trade

Canty: Cowboys have to start considering a Dak Prescott trade

Chris Canty explains why the Cowboys' lack of playoff success will pressure them to consider trading Dak Prescott.

2025 NFL draft: Latest buzz, Hunter's position, sleepers

2025 NFL draft: Latest buzz, Hunter's position, sleepers

Could Travis Hunter play full-time wide receiver? Which teams are most likely to trade down? Our NFL draft experts weigh in.

How Cowboys get a draft advantage with their 'Dallas Day'

How Cowboys get a draft advantage with their 'Dallas Day'

With many draft prospects from the Dallas area -- such as RB Ashton Jeanty and QB Quinn Ewers -- the Cowboys have a leg up on other NFL teams.

Detroit Lions prioritized discipline in NFL free agency

Detroit Lions prioritized discipline in NFL free agency

With so many young stars still to pay, the Lions are trusting what they already had in-house this offseason.

Do Panthers have a legit No. 1 receiver in Xavier Legette?

Do Panthers have a legit No. 1 receiver in Xavier Legette?

The Panthers still see a lot of upside in Legette, their 2024 first-round pick, but he has a lot to improve on from his rookie year.