Because the seconds wound down Sunday at Soldier Discipline, Caleb Williams, DJ Moore and Keenan Allen stood collectively on the sideline, helmets off, chatting relaxed as backup quarterback Tyson Bagent knelt down to shut out the sport towards the Carolina Panthers.
The Chicago Bears defensive starters had come off in favor of their backups a couple of minutes earlier, making certain in addition they had a second to take pleasure in a satisfying finish to the sunny and breezy afternoon on the lakefront.
For the primary time in 5 weeks, the Bears put collectively a whole, thorough, no-doubt-about-it win, turning a 20-point halftime lead right into a 36-10 rout of the Panthers that introduced their file to 3-2. Williams threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns and had no turnovers. Moore had 105 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The Bears rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns. And the protection got here up with 4 sacks and three takeaways.
To be clear, it was towards a 1-4 Panthers staff that entered attempting to beat a rash of extreme accidents after which misplaced 4 extra starters in the course of the recreation. And Williams and tight finish Cole Kmet have been among the many gamers stressing the necessity for continued enchancment as they attempt to construct momentum.
However the Bears — and the followers witnessing the staff’s eighth-straight victory at Soldier Discipline — nonetheless wanted one like this.
“That’s what it’s speculated to appear like, although,” Bears security Kevin Byard mentioned. “That’s the usual that we play with, and that’s how we need to play each single recreation.
“It builds confidence. That is nonetheless early within the season. We’re undoubtedly nonetheless in that technique of attempting to get higher, however it is a nice instance of what the Chicago Bears ought to appear like. That needs to be the usual going ahead.”
Because the Bears put together to go to London for the week earlier than taking up the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6, the kind of win delivered Sunday means they may have quite a lot of good issues to consider on the abroad flight.
“It made it simpler for positive,” defensive sort out Gervon Dexter mentioned of the lengthy journey.
Dexter fueled a giant Bears defensive effort that got here regardless of the unit not needing to do as a lot of the heavy lifting.
The Bears gave up a 38-yard landing to operating again Chuba Hubbard on the Panthers’ second drive however locked down after that, holding quarterback Andy Dalton to 136 passing yards.
Dexter cut up a pair of sacks of Dalton with DeMarcus Walker and Kyler Gordon within the first half to convey his season whole to 4 and likewise totaled 4 quarterback hits. The 2023 second-round decide turned 23 years previous on Saturday and achieved his birthday promise to himself.
“Everyone was asking me what I used to be going to do for my birthday, and I used to be telling them, ‘I’m going to get a sack,’” Dexter mentioned. “In order that’s what I did.”
Because the rating grew extra lopsided deeper into the sport, Dexter mentioned the protection knew it may get after Dalton. Andrew Billings additionally sacked Dalton, whereas Austin Booker took down starter-turned-backup quarterback Bryce Younger on the finish of the sport.
“At that time it was time to pin your ears again and get the frenzy on,” Dexter mentioned. “You realize when the rating is like that, that they’re going to should attempt to get the ball within the air. You’ve obtained quite a lot of alternatives to hurry the quarterback.”
Dexter’s hustle additionally helped make good on the Bears’ first takeaway of three, when Jaquan Brisker put a fierce hit on tight finish Tommy Tremble and Dexter recovered the ball, resulting in the Bears’ third landing.
“To followers and to guys it could appear like proper place, proper time,” Dexter mentioned. “However that’s how we go and the way we hustle. We anticipate the ball to return out, and we get these.”
Byard intercepted Dalton on the Panthers’ first drive of the third quarter, resulting in a 33-yard Cairo Santos area objective. Tremaine Edmunds’ pressured fumble and Gordon’s restoration led to the Bears’ remaining landing.
Byard referred to as his interception — his first as a member of the Bears and first general since Nov. 20, 2023 — “lengthy overdue.” He blanketed Panthers vast receiver Jonathan Mingo after which reached each arms behind him to drag within the interception as he tumbled to the bottom.
“I really feel like we got here out right here with quite a lot of juice, quite a lot of power,” Byard mentioned. “On that individual play, simply finding the ball, monitoring the ball there, not panicking.”
Byard had talked earlier within the season about the advantages of complementary soccer. And the Bears actually loved that Sunday.
Regardless of a powerful wind that blew his first go to Allen manner off course, Williams discovered the downfield passing recreation, connecting with Moore for a 34-yard rating, the Bears’ first landing within the first quarter this season. He had 200 passing yards within the first half, including a 30-yard landing to Moore within the second quarter, because the Bears pulled to a 27-7 lead.
“It’s wonderful. What’s this, Week 5?” Moore mentioned. “It took 5 weeks to get the downfield passing recreation going. However when it hits, it hits. And it was good at this time.”
Bears coach Matt Eberflus complimented his staff leaders — together with their eight captains — after the sport, and Williams credited management for serving to the offense get previous a bumpy apply Thursday.
Williams mentioned they met strolling off the sphere after apply to debate how they wanted to be higher. That helped translate into their quick begin.
“We got here again the following day, locked in and centered and clearly (it was) understanding the state of affairs and us simply pushing one another for that subsequent day. And it led into the sport, I feel,” Williams mentioned. “The character of a staff goes to proceed to develop, however we’re excited. We perceive we’ve obtained to continue to grow and maintain progressing, however undoubtedly enthusiastic about attending to 3-2.”
Kmet additionally pressured continued progress when requested if he may think about how Bears followers have been feeling in regards to the full win Sunday.
Bears followers “can fan” how they need, Kmet mentioned, however the Bears should maintain a clearer head.
“I’m positive they’re pumped,” Kmet mentioned. “I’m positive they’re saying the Bears are again. However we will’t feed into that. We don’t feed into that. There are issues we have now to have a look at the movie at, get higher at and enhance on for the following week.”
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