Bears look to build on breakthrough
win and even their record after a rough start
[September 23, 2025]
By ANDREW SELIGMAN
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears got the sort of
breakthrough performance they needed. Now, they have a chance to get
to .500.
The Bears will look to build on a promising victory over the Dallas
Cowboys on Sunday when they visit Las Vegas this week. A win over
the Raiders would even their record, no small feat given how the
season started.
The Bears (1-2) went from blowing an 11-point lead in the season
opener against Minnesota to getting blown out at Detroit in Week 2.
They were breathing a little easier following a 31-14 victory over
Dallas.
Caleb Williams matched a career high with four touchdown passes and
the Bears gave Ben Johnson his first victory as a head coach.
Johnson called out his team's practice habits during the week, and
the message seemed to get through.
“Every leader of a specific group hit the group chat,” cornerback
Tyrique Stevenson said on Monday. “If we have to come in an hour
early, sacrifice an hour of sleep, then get up and come in. It ain’t
nothing to it but to do it. That’s where the trust is, and making
sure that we prepare to go out here and be the Monster of the
Midway.”
What’s working
Takeaways. The Bears forced four turnovers against Dallas, starting
with a highlight-reel forced fumble by Stevenson in the opening
minutes. He chased down Cowboys running back Javonte Williams on a
22-yard run and ripped the ball out of his hands, securing it just
before he fell out of bounds. The Bears also had three interceptions
— two by linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
What needs help
The secondary. With two-time Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson (groin)
potentially out for the remainder of the season and Kyler Gordon
(hamstring) missing the first three games, the Bears probably need
to bring in outside help at cornerback. Losing Johnson in Week 2 at
Detroit was obviously a huge blow. Against Dallas, the pass defense
was fine. The Bears held Dak Prescott to 251 yards and a touchdown
while intercepting him twice. The bigger issue was the run defense,
with the Cowboys going for 121 yards and averaging 6.1 per attempt.
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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson watches play against the Dallas
Cowboys in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21,
2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Stock up
Williams. The No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, Williams
shrugged off two shaky performances to start the season. After
starting strong and fading in the first two games, Williams
completed 19 of 28 passes for 298 yards without an interception. He
wasn't sacked in a game for the first time in his career, and his
142.6 passer rating was a personal best.
Stock down
Backup QB Tyson Bagent. If Williams continues to perform the way he
did against Dallas, Bears fans won't be calling for the backup QB
the way they did after the first two games.
Injuries
Ben Johnson confirmed Jaylon Johnson will have surgery and said
there's a chance the two-time Pro Bowler returns this year. ... He
also said TE Colston Loveland (hip) was still being evaluated after
he was hurt in the first half, though he didn't think the injury was
“super serious.”
Key number
6 — After committing 20 penalties through the first two games, the
Bears were flagged a more palatable six times against Dallas. They
had only one pre-snap penalty — an offsides on defensive end Daniel
Hardy.
Next steps
The Bears visit Las Vegas on Sunday. The Raiders lost 41-24 at
Washington even though Commanders QB Jayden Daniels sat out with a
knee injury.
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