Bears Kick Off Season with Comeback Victory Over Titans

 

The Bears rallied from a 17-0 deficit, scoring second-half touchdowns on defense and special teams to stun the Titans 24-17 in Sunday’s season opener at Soldier Field.

Struggling offensively, the Bears found a spark early in the third quarter when Daniel Hardy blocked a Ryan Stonehouse punt, allowing Jonathan Owens to return it 18 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Titans' lead to 17-10. 

The Chicago Bears opened their season in thrilling fashion, staging a comeback to defeat the Tennessee Titans. After falling behind early, the Bears rallied in the second half, overcoming a tough Titans defense to secure the win. Key plays from both sides of the ball helped Chicago shift the momentum, ultimately leading to a strong finish and a promising start to their season.

Following Cairo Santos' 50-yard field goal that trimmed the deficit to 17-13 early in the fourth quarter, Darrell Taylor strip-sacked Will Levis, causing a fumble that T.J. Edwards recovered at the Titans' 31-yard line.

The Bears capitalized on the turnover with a 48-yard field goal by Cairo Santos, narrowing the gap to 17-16 with 9:52 remaining. Shortly after, Tyrique Stevenson intercepted a Will Levis pass and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. Caleb Williams then connected with D’Andre Swift for a two-point conversion, giving the Bears their first lead at 24-17 with 7:35 left.

Despite being outgained 244-148 by the Titans, Williams completed 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards with a 55.7 passer rating. Swift led the Bears in rushing with 30 yards on 10 carries.

The Titans grabbed a 7-0 lead with Tony Pollard's 26-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter, capping an 8-play, 79-yard drive. This came after the Bears defense had forced three-and-outs on Tennessee's first two possessions.

On the ensuing kickoff, Velus Jones Jr. fumbled, kicking the ball forward, where it was recovered by the Titans' Julius Chestnut at the Chicago 23-yard line.

Darrell Taylor recorded the Bears' first sack of the season, but Tennessee settled for a 40-yard Nick Folk field goal, extending their lead to 10-0.

After a Bears punt, the Titans extended their lead to 17-0 with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Will Levis to tight end Chig Okonkwo with 3:44 left in the first half. The score capped a 14-play, 73-yard drive, kept alive by Levis’ 22-yard pass to Calvin Ridley on third-and-15 and an offside penalty on Montez Sweat on third-and-5.

DeAndre Carter, who had already logged punt returns of 16 and 20 yards, returned the ensuing kickoff 67 yards to the Titans' 34. This set up Cairo Santos’ 24-yard field goal, narrowing the gap to 17-3 with :27 left in the half.

The Titans dominated the first half, outgaining the Bears 88-5 in the first quarter and 179-51 overall.

The Bears' offense stalled on its first drive of the second half, punting on fourth-and-30 following two incomplete passes, a delay of game penalty, a false start, and a sack.

However, the defense and special teams stepped up, leading the Bears to a season-opening victory.