Caleb Williams returned from a three-game absence Sunday and led the Chicago Bears to a 31-23 road victory over the Atlanta Falcons, then took a pointed shot at an ESPN studio show that had unanimously predicted an Atlanta win.
Williams completed 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. The 83.3 percent completion rate marked a career high and set a Bears franchise record among quarterbacks with at least 30 pass attempts in a game. He also posted a 111.2 passer rating while connecting with eight different receivers.
The Bears improved to 4-2 with the result. They went 2-1 during Williams’ absence, but the offense lacked the same efficiency without their starting quarterback. Atlanta fell to 2-4 after mounting a late rally that narrowed a 31-7 lead late in the third quarter.
Williams opened the game by completing his first 12 passes, including a 14-yard touchdown strike to tight end Colston Loveland that capped the opening drive. Chicago built its advantage methodically before the Falcons scored 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter on two touchdowns and successful two-point conversions.
After the game, Williams referenced the pregame picks on ESPN’s “Get Up.”
“I saw one thing where it was Falcons, Falcons, Falcons, Falcons,” Williams said. “Look up at the scoreboard and it’s Bears.”
Every member of the panel had selected Atlanta. The comments came amid a broader week in which Williams had already pushed back on injury reporting surrounding his hamstring issue.
The injury occurred in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 20. Williams missed the subsequent three contests before being cleared to play Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He showed no obvious limitations on the field, moving fluidly in the pocket and on designed rollouts.
Young skill players contributed heavily to the passing attack. Wide receiver Luther Burden III led the team with eight catches for 95 yards, while Loveland added six receptions for 65 yards and the touchdown. The pair combined for 14 catches and 160 yards.
Running back D’Andre Swift scored two touchdowns on the ground for Chicago. The Bears’ defense also made key plays, including three sacks and two forced fumbles from cornerback Kyler Gordon, who returned from a calf injury after being activated from the physically unable to perform list.
Williams addressed his physical condition following the contest.
“It felt good,” Williams said. “Body feels great.”
He noted that managing the injury will remain a priority on a weekly basis. Chicago faces a short turnaround with a Thursday night home game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field. Williams is expected to receive treatment and limited practice snaps ahead of that matchup.
The performance marked Williams’ sixth career 300-yard passing game. He completed 26 of 26 attempts when not pressured, according to available tracking data, and four of his six incompletions were intentional throwaways. The Bears controlled the ball for long stretches early and converted key third downs once their starting quarterback returned.
Chicago has now won four of its first six games despite using three different starting quarterbacks this season. The victory came one week after a 31-7 loss at Green Bay. Williams’ efficiency on Sunday provided a clear contrast to the offensive struggles during his absence and reinforced his importance to the Bears’ attack under coach Ben Johnson.
The team will monitor Williams’ hamstring closely over the next several days before hosting New England. Atlanta’s comeback attempt fell short after the Bears recovered a fumble and ran out the clock.
