Caleb Williams threw two touchdown passes to DJ Moore, D'Andre Swift rushed for a pair of TDs and the defense intercepted three passes and did not allow a TD as the Bears cruised to a 31-3 win over the Browns Sunday at frigid Soldier Field.
The Bears controlled both sides of the ball, outgaining the Browns 361-192. Williams completed 17 of 28 passes for 242 yards with two TDs, no turnovers and a 112.5 passer rating. Swift rushed for 98 yards on 18 carries.
D'Marco Jackson, Jaylon Johnson and C.J. Gardner-Johnson all intercepted Shedeur Sanders passes in the second half as the Bears registered their most lopsided victory since a 36-7 home victory over the Texans Dec. 13, 2020. The defense also yielded just 50 yards rushing, compiled five sacks and held Sanders to a 30.3 passer rating.
"I can't say enough good things about our defense," said coach Ben Johnson. "This was really an outstanding performance. I know we gave up a couple explosives that we'd like to have back, but outside of one or two plays, they really did a phenomenal job shutting down the run game, making it second-and-long, third-and-long, and getting off the field. When you combine that with the takeaways, which were enormous for us, they really carried the day for us."
In recording their sixth win in their last seven games, the Bears improved to 10-4, setting up a first-place showdown with the Packers Saturday at Soldier Field.
The temperature at kickoff Sunday was eight degrees with a wind chill of two degrees below zero. The Bears entered the contest determined to get off to a quick start on offense, and they did just that by scoring touchdowns on their second and third possessions of the game.
"[It was] extremely important," Williams said. "You want to start the game off every week like that, but definitely this week not allowing them to get going, not allowing them to feel maybe some energy or feel that they can beat us, that was our mindset."
Swift's 6-yard TD run gave the Bears a 7-0 lead, and after the defense forced its second straight three-and-out, Williams' 3-yard TD pass to Moore streaking across the back of the end zone made it 14-0 late in the first quarter.
"We've practiced that play so many times … we've got so much faith and belief and trust," Williams said. "Coach made a great call, DJ ran a great route, and I just put the ball in the back of the end zone and let DJ go get it."
The Browns cut the deficit to 14-3 on Andre Szmyt's 50-yard field goal early in the second half. But the Bears scored the game's final 17 points.
The defense generated its first takeaway of the game as Jackson leaped to deflect and intercept a Sanders pass at the Browns' 22. On the next play, Williams rolled to his right and hit Moore in the back of the end zone for a TD that extended the Bears' lead to 21-3 midway through the third quarter.
"That [interception] was a game-changer to me," Johnson said. "You're always looking for a little bit to spark your team, ignite your team there, and in the second half that's really what it was. We really needed that because we were able to capitalize and make it into 21-3 and it felt like we took firm control of the game there at that point."
Jaylon Johnson followed by intercepting a Sanders pass deep down the right sideline, snatching the ball away from receiver Jerry Jeudy in the end zone.
The Bears again capitalized on the turnover, widening the margin to 28-3 on Swift's 17-yard TD run late in the third quarter. The veteran running back cut back against the grain, broke two tackles and raced into the end zone.
"I thought he actually was going to get tackled," Williams said. "There were a couple guys surrounding him. He's a [heck] of a back for us. He made a really good play for us to put up seven points on the board. He squeaked through a couple arm tackles and made a great play. Super excited for him and for us."
Gardner-Johnson followed with the Bears' third interception, returning it 23 yards to the Browns' 22, setting up Cairo Santos' 41-yard field goal.
Sunday's win kept the Bears in the thick of the NFC playoff race, with their final three regular-season games all against contenders: the Packers, 49ers and Lions.
"I know at this point we're a good football team, and I'm looking forward to seeing this competition over the next three weeks, as they are," Johnson said. "Our players are excited to be in this spot. We're 10-4 and have got a lot to play for here over the next three weeks, and really in this league you can't ask for a lot more than that."
