Caleb Williams Struggles in Debut, Bears’ Defense Saves 24-17 Win

Caleb Williams faced challenges in his debut for the Chicago Bears, but a strong performance by the defense helped secure a 24-17 victory against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Despite aspirations for a playoff spot following two disappointing seasons with a record of 10-24, the Bears began the game in a precarious position, trailing 17-0 in the first half. However, they rallied, putting a damper on the debut of Titans coach Brian Callahan.

Williams, the top overall pick in the draft, completed 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards, resulting in a passer rating of 55.7. Remarkably, he became the first quarterback selected as the first overall pick to win his debut since 2002 when David Carr led the Houston Texans to victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Previously, the last 15 quarterbacks drafted first had combined for a record of 0-14-1 in their initial starts, beginning with Carson Palmer from Cincinnati in 2003.

As the Bears closed in on the Titans with a field goal by Cairo Santos, bringing the score to 17-16, Tyrique Stevenson made a game-changing play. At a crucial moment midway through the fourth quarter, with DeMarcus Walker pressuring Will Levis, Stevenson intercepted a desperate throw and returned it 43 yards for the touchdown, putting Chicago ahead.

Williams connected with D’Andre Swift for a successful 2-point conversion, extending the lead to 24-17, which added to the excitement of the Bears’ fans.

With just over a minute remaining in the game, Jaylon Johnson solidified Chicago’s triumph by intercepting a deep pass aimed at Tyler Boyd on a fourth down at the Tennessee 40-yard line. This dramatic play delighted fans who had spent much of the afternoon expressing their displeasure with the team’s performance.

Throughout the game, Chicago’s talented receiving unit struggled alongside Williams. DJ Moore managed to catch five passes totaling 36 yards, and Keenan Allen contributed 29 yards in his debut with the Bears.

The Bears ended the game with a mere 148 yards of offense. They scored their only other touchdown through special teams when Daniel Hardy blocked a punt in the third quarter. Jonathan Owens recovered the ball and ran 21 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the Titans’ lead to 17-10 and energizing the crowd.

This play thrilled Owens’ wife, the renowned gymnast Simone Biles, who humorously exclaimed, “I ALMOST HAD A HEART ATTACK,” in response to a post on social media regarding the moment.

Santos added another three points to the Bears’ score with a 50-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, making it a tighter game at 17-13. The Bears then capitalized on an opportunity when Darrell Taylor strip-sacked Levis, leading T.J. Edwards to recover the ball at the Tennessee 31-yard line. Chicago, however, could only manage a field goal from this drive, reducing the deficit to just one point.

Levis finished his game with 19 completions on 32 attempts, accounting for 127 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions as he started his second season. Tennessee’s Tony Pollard contributed to the offense with a solid performance, rushing for 82 yards and scoring a touchdown.

For the Titans, injuries plagued their lineup as right guard Dillon Radunz suffered rib injuries during a pass play early in the third quarter, leaving the field while holding his side.

Looking ahead, the Titans will host the New York Jets next Sunday, while the Bears are set to visit Houston for their own matchup.