Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears Defang Carolina Panthers
Photo Credit: Daniel Bartel/Imagn Images
CHICAGO (PSF) — The Chicago Bears (3-2) defeated the Carolina Panthers (1-4) by a score of 36-10. In this game, quarterback Caleb Williams became the only Bears rookie signal caller to have multiple +300 yard performances.
Williams continues to improve since the start of the season. While there have been up-and-down bumps, he constantly has shown growth.
Against Carolina, Williams threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Both of those touchdown passes were to wide receiver D.J. Moore, who had five catches for 105 yards.
The second receiving touchdown came as a result of Williams dropping back in the pocket, causing Panthers safety Xavier Woods to follow his eyes to the right. This left an opening for Moore to capitalize.
"I've been wanting one of those," Williams said. "DJ is such a special player, and you all saw it today. Him making plays, I think at one point he was 100-and-something for a couple of catches and things like that. So, having a special player like that on your team, you obviously want to give him the ball, let him just be DJ and be special.”
The rushing attack also contributed to the game with three touchdowns of their own.
Running back D’Andre Swift lead the way with 21 carries for 73 yards and one touchdown. RB Roschon Johnson continues to get into the endzone with two of his own off of 10 carries for 25 yards.
This game also marks the first time this season that the Bears offense had over 400 total yards.
Another interesting fact is that Williams had a 126.2 passer rating. According to Courtney Cronin of ESPN, that is the highest single-game passer rating for a rookie Chicago quarterback since at least the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
The defense made life miserable for the Carolina offense, at least in terms of passing the ball.
QB Andy Dalton only had 135 yards and one interception against Chicago. Dalton only had 74 passing yards in the first half.
The lone interception from the Panthers was caught by S Kevin Byard, his first in a Bears uniform.
The pass rush got to Carolina’s signal callers four times, three of which were to Dalton. The fourth and final one came when QB Bryce Young was brought off of the bench for the end of the game.
Defensive tackle Andrew Billings, DT Gervon Dexter Sr., rookie defensive end Austin Booker each had a sack. Cornerback Kyler Gordon and DE DeMarcus Walker also contributed, each having 0.5 sacks against the Panthers.
The only Carolina player to score a touchdown was RB Chuba Hubbard, who had 13 carries for 97 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown run.
For Week 6, Chicago will travel to London to host the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 8:30 a.m. CDT.
