Cubs News: Williams impressive in complete win over Bengals

Daniel Bartel - USA Today Sports

by Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - Sat Aug 17 16:30:38 GMT-04:00 2024

CHICAGO—It has been a long time since there has been this much excitement surrounding the Chicago Bears, but given how their preseason has been, you can see why. From getting Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in this year's draft to making plenty of moves the past two offseasons, things are looking up for the Bears, and they have a bright future ahead of them.

Returning to Soldier Field for the first and only time this preseason, the Bears were looking to run their preseason record to a perfect 3-0 as they welcomed in the Cincinnati Bengals. Keep in mind that, with Ja'Mar Chase and Joe Burrow out of the lineup, this wasn't the same Bengals team that most teams will see this season, but that is how the preseason works sometimes.

Despite a slow start to the game, where the Bears went the entire first quarter without a single first down, it was the offense that got rolling. They went on to score 24 points across the next two quarters to pick up the 27-3 win in front of the home fans. This team has been clicking on all cylinders thus far, as it has gone two straight games without giving up a touchdown.

Despite a very quiet first quarter from both teams and one in which the Bears didn't have a first down, their defense continued to make plays as Kyler Gordon was all over the field. Even with Logan Woodside completing several nice passes to move the chains, the defense found a way to make a play whenever they needed one.

As the first quarter was starting to come to a close, the Bengals knocked on the door for the game's first points as Woodside found the rookie Jermaine Burton for 19 yards to move the ball inside the Bears 30. That was as close as they would get in the first half as Josh Blackwell came flying off the edge a few plays later and forced a hit on Woodside, which resulted in an interception by Amen Ogbongbemiga.

That was the play that turned things around for the Bears as Rome Odunze took an end around to start the next drive, resulting in the Bears first down of the game. Sometimes, all it takes is one play to get things going in a different direction, and that play was the one that got the offense rolling as Caleb Williams went up top for Tyler Scott, only to come up empty. A pass interference call on that play moved the ball inside the 20, but with the offense stalling out, the Bears had to settle for a 32-yard Santos field goal.

At some point, the Bears need to finish these drives as all three of the scoring drives from Williams resulted in field goals up to that point. That all changed on the Bears next possession with Williams finding Nsimba Webster for a first down before Khalil Herbert changed direction mid-run and raced 21 yards for the first down.

That set things up for the passing game again as Williams hooked up with fellow rookie Odunze as the Bears were inside the 10 for a 45-yard gain.

He’s a sicko. The Chicago #Bears have a sicko at QB pic.twitter.com/WqPl3KFSAu
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) August 17, 2024

It was the only catch Odunze would have in the game, but it was a big one as Williams capped off his final drive of the half with a seven-yard TD a few plays later to give the Bears a 10-0 lead.

pic.twitter.com/taMHvInqKE
— No Context Chicago Bears 🐻 (@BearsNoContext) August 17, 2024

Although not as sharp this week as last, Williams still finished 6-13 for 75 yards while adding that lone TD on the ground.

"I'm proud of our coaches for sticking with that first group a little bit further than what was planned," general manager Ryan Poles said on the FOX 32 TV broadcast. "I think it's important to allow a young quarterback in the offense that is learning a new system to work through some of those things."

Cincinnati did manage to get their lone points right before the end of the first half as Woodside moved the ball into Chicago territory, setting up the long Evan McPherson field goal to make this a 10-3 game at the half. As if the first half wasn't good enough, it was the third quarter when the Bears began to flex their muscles as Tyson Bagent had himself a great quarter.

Whether it be his 17-yard hookup with Scott to get things started or finding Dante Pettis not once, not twice, but three times, Bagent looked terrific, going 7-8 for 87 yards and two scores. Both scores came from Pettis, who hauled in three passes for 53 yards in the third quarter to lead the Bears and both TDs as Chicago opened up a 24-3 lead.

Bagent to Pettis 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7GGDEKIvAF
— Just Another Year Chicago: Bears (@JAYChi_Bears) August 17, 2024

At this point, it was all about finishing the game healthy but still finding a way to get the rest of your players some much-needed reps. The defense certainly took that to heart, picking off Woodside twice in the game and forcing a second-half fumble in which Keith Randolph Jr. came away with the ball.

Looking to capitalize on that takeaway, Bagent started to use his legs to make things happen. He delivered a first-down run to move the ball towards midfield before getting into Cincinnati territory. Like in the first half, that drive would eventually stall, but with Santos drilling a 51-yard field goal, the Bears took a 27-3 lead into the fourth.

Those would be the final points of the game for either side, although they did come close to adding on late as Brett Rypien connected on three of his four passes for 53 yards, with rookie Brenden Bates picking up a 23-yard completion to move the ball inside the Bengals 20. Instead of rubbing it in and tacking on, the Bears were happy with their job and knelt out the clock to secure the 27-3 win.

The victory moves the Bears to 3-0 on the preseason. They will head to Kansas City on Thursday to close things out. Given Williams's performance the past two weeks, he will be shut down until the regular season, as he looks ready to roll.