The Kick Off

Victory Mondays just hit differently, don't they? The Bears kicked off the Caleb Williams era with a gritty, heart-pounding win over the Titans, and while it wasn’t the prettiest of performances, the rookie QB was calm and composed throughout. Williams himself admitted,

But hey, anytime your debut ends in a W—especially with a defense and special teams performance like that—it’s a win to savor in Chicago.

In a Monday AM interview with 670 The Score, DJ Moore opened up about the Bears’ gritty win and the team's mindset moving forward. Moore shared insights on the game, saying:

Catch the full interview and see more of Moore's reflections on the game and the team's bright future by clicking the link below!

Top 5 Key Moments

Tyrique Stevenson’s Pick-6

• Stevenson intercepted Will Levis with 7:45 left in the 4th quarter and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown.

• Time of Game: 7:45 left in the 4th quarter

• Score: Bears took the lead 24-17 after the two-point conversion.

Daniel Hardy’s Blocked Punt & Johnathan Owens’ Scoop-and-Score

• Hardy blocked the punt in the 3rd quarter, and Owens returned it 21 yards for a touchdown, tying the game.

• Time of Game: 9:14 left in the 3rd quarter

• Score: The Bears are closing in! Slashing the gap to just 17-10!

Darrell Taylor’s Sack-Fumble

• Taylor’s sack of Levis in the 4th quarter forced a fumble, recovered by T.J. Edwards at the Titans' 31, leading to a Bears field goal.

• Time of Game: 11:54 left in the 4th quarter

• Score: Bears trailed 17-14 before the ensuing field goal tied the game.

Cairo Santos' 50-Yard Field Goal

• Santos hit a 50-yard field goal early in the 4th quarter to pull the Bears within three points.

• Time of Game: 14:51 left in the 4th quarter

• Score: Titans led 17-14, but the Bears closed the gap.

Tory Taylor’s Field-Flipping 60-Yard Punt

• Taylor boomed a 60-yard punt early in the 3rd quarter, flipping the field and pinning the Titans back at their 13-yard line.

• Time of Game: 12:37 left in the 3rd quarter

• Score: Bears down 14-7, but the defense held strong after the punt.

Caleb Williams Film Review by Tim Jenkins

Tim Jenkins breaks down Caleb Williams' NFL debut with a mix of praise, tough love, and hope for the Bears' future—don't miss his take on what could’ve been and what’s still to come!

Tim Jenkins had a lot to say about Caleb Williams' first NFL start against the Titans, and it was a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, Jenkins was impressed with Williams' footwork, saying, “I am impressed with how quick that base is," noting how sharp his movements were even on simple plays like screens. But, as expected from a rookie, there were plenty of “rookie moments.” One play in particular really got Jenkins going—Williams missed a wide-open deep shot, and Jenkins didn’t hold back: “Biscuits, we have to have that one.”

Williams showed flashes of what he can be, though, and Jenkins was quick to point that out. He praised his ability to extend plays and make quick reads, but also called out moments where pressure got to him, saying, "We were so darn close," on plays that could've changed the game. Despite the ups and downs, Jenkins is optimistic about Williams' future. “The Caleb Williams kid is going to be okay,” Jenkins said, pointing to a beauty of a throw to DJ Moore as proof that better days are ahead.

Click here to watch the entire film breakdown.

Bottom 3 Moments/Players

Velus Jones Jr.’s Muff

• Jones muffed a kickoff near the end of the 1st quarter, recovered by the Titans at the Bears' 23-yard line, leading to a Tennessee field goal

  • Time of Game: 0:41 left in the 1st quarter

  • Score: Titans eventually extended their lead to 10-0.

Keenan Allen’s Dropped Touchdown

• Allen dropped a would-be touchdown pass in the 2nd quarter, forcing the Bears to settle for a field goal instead of a much-needed touchdown

  • Time of Game: 0:35 left in the 2nd quarter

  • Score: Titans led 14-3 after the Bears' field goal.

    Coleman Shelton’s Struggles on the Offensive Line

  • Shelton was repeatedly overpowered by the Titans' defensive front, resulting in poor run blocking and multiple collapsed pockets for Caleb Williams throughout the game. Pro Football Focus has Teven Jenkins rated lower but my eyes saw Shelton as the weak link!

Onto Week 2

Next week, the Bears step into the national spotlight for a prime-time showdown against the Houston Texans. Sunday Night against CJ Stroud

The Bears are 6.5-point underdogs with an over/under set at 46.5. It’s a tough matchup, but if this defense keeps bringing the heat and Williams can find his rhythm, Chicago just might make some noise under the bright lights. Buckle up, Bears fans—this season’s already got the makings of a wild ride!