Caleb Williams throws for 2 TDs,
Bears pound Browns even as Myles Garrett closes in on sacks record
[December 15, 2025]
By ANDREW SELIGMAN
CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams rolled toward the right sideline and
unleashed a pass he probably had no business attempting. DJ Moore
went up in a crowd in the back of the end zone and came down with a
touchdown.
That's the type of day it was for the Bears.
Williams threw two touchdown passes and Chicago beat Cleveland 31-3
on Sunday in one of the coldest games ever at Soldier Field even
though the Browns’ Myles Garrett moved within a sack of the NFL’s
single-season record.
The Bears (10-4) heated up early on a day when the temperature at
kickoff was 8 degrees and they hit double digits in wins for the
first time since the 2018 NFC North championship team went 12-4.
They scored two first-quarter touchdowns and broke the game open
with two more in the third.
It was just the sort of performance they needed coming off a loss at
Green Bay that knocked them from first to seventh in the NFC, with a
rematch against their rivals at home next week looming.
“You want to start the game off every week like that," Williams
said. "But definitely this week not allowing them to get going, not
allowing them to feel some energy or feel they can beat us — that
was our mindset going into this game.”
Garrett had 1 1/2 sacks, giving him 21 1/2 on the season and leaving
him one shy of the record shared by New York Giants Hall of Famer
Michael Strahan (2001) and Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt (2021). He got to
Williams in the second quarter on a third down at the Cleveland 8,
and he and Shelby Harris took down the quarterback early in the
fourth. A four-time All-Pro, Garrett has at least one sack in eight
straight games and has 17 1/2 in that span.
Williams shook off a string of shaky outings, finishing 17 of 28 for
242 yards. He completed fewer than 60% of his passes in each of the
previous six games.
D’Andre Swift ran for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Moore added 69
yards receiving and two scoring catches with Rome Odunze missing his
second straight game because of a foot injury. His second TD — a
22-yarder in the third — was one for the highlight reel.
“I'd say 99% of the quarterbacks, you tell them, ‘Don’t even waste
your time looking back there and trying to make that throw,'” coach
Ben Johnson said. “There's usually bad things that happen. And yet,
he's got the ability to make that throw. DJ made a heck of a play
there right on the back line, as well.”
Rookie Luther Burden caught six passes for 84 yards, including a
40-yarder.
The Bears held Cleveland to 192 yards and turned three interceptions
against Shedeur Sanders into 17 points. With three takeaways, they
extended their league lead to 30.
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Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) sacks Cleveland
Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) in the first half of an NFL
football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y.
Huh)
D’Marco Jackson had an interception deep in
Cleveland territory in the third. Jaylon Johnson picked off a pass
at the goal line with his back to the quarterback later in the
quarter, and both plays led to touchdowns. Another one by C.J.
Gardner-Johnson in the fourth set up a field goal, helping the Bears
bounce back after having a five-game win streak snapped last week.
They also won their fifth straight home game since a season-opening
loss to Minnesota.
“They had a great defensive scheme,” Sanders said.
“I enjoyed playing against them. I enjoyed playing in that. It was
definitely a little challenge, so I look forward to learning from
that.”
'The Browns (3-11) have dropped three straight and six of seven.
Sanders was 18 of 35 for 177 yards and three interceptions. He was
sacked five times in his fourth start. The Browns announced the
highly publicized fifth-round pick and son of Pro Football Hall of
Famer Deion Sanders will be their starter for the rest of the season
after passing for 364 yards and three touchdowns while also having a
rushing score against Tennessee last week.
“He’s a young player that is making progress, like we’ve talked
about all week,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. "I see it in games. I
get to see it in practice. There’s going to be ups and downs to
young players, particularly the quarterback position. So we’ll learn
from it, and we’ll be better next week.”
Injuries
Browns: Garrett tweaked his hip during the game. ... G Teven Jenkins
exited with a shoulder injury.
Bears: Odunze aggravated his foot injury in warmups. Johnson had no
details on exactly how it happened and whether he'll play again this
season. “I really don't know ... the extent of it,” he said. “When
something like that happens right before a game and you're solely
focused on getting the next guy ready to perform at a high level.”
... Williams limped toward the locker room after he was hit in the
shin on a pass on the final play of the first half.
Up next
Browns: Host Buffalo next Sunday.
Bears: Host Green Bay on Saturday night.
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