The Chicago Bears flew down to take on the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Bears shook off the rough loss to Green Bay last week. The 31-23 score is closer than the score. Star quarterback Caleb Williams returned to action, and Bears fans responded by packing the house. The Falcons, coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Baltimore Ravens, simply failed to execute until it was too late. As a spectator in Atlanta, the environment felt like a Bears home game. Falcons fans took up approximately only 30% of the stadium. Here’s an analysis of both teams from this matchup.
Atlanta Falcons
For the Falcons to have a chance in this game, they needed to get Bijan Robinson going, stop the Bears’ run game, and keep Michael Penix Jr. on his feet. Unfortunately for Falcons fans, they achieved not a single one of these things. Robinson was held to 61 yards and no touchdowns. They gave up three touchdowns to the run game, and Penix Jr. was sacked five times. Some positives for the Falcons included Kyle Pitts Sr., who had a great game in the final stretch, making this game close.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
He had five receptions for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Jahan Dotson made a huge impact as a deep threat with three receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown of his own. The defense also managed to sack Caleb Williams four times in this game. The first half was a struggle for the Falcons, creating a deficit that just could not be overcome. Special teams woes, failure to establish the usually dominant run game, and struggles to stop the Bears’ high-powered offense were the ultimate downfalls for the Dirty Birds. That seems to be the ongoing theme of this Falcons season: if Bijan plays well, they win. If not, then it’s a loss.
Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams is back from his hamstring injury suffered in Week 2. He returned in a big way, having his most efficient game of his career. Williams went 30-of-36 for 305 yards and a touchdown. He did get sacked four times. though. But he made good targeting decisions and threw no interceptions in this game. D’Andre Swift did not have a lot of yardage. But he got into the end zone twice. Colston Loveland got his first touchdown of the year as well.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
The Bears defense held Bijan Robinson to 61 yards. The running back running wild is how the Falcons get most of their wins. The player of the game, however, was on the defensive end. Kyler Gordon had an incredible return to action. He accumulated three sacks and forced two fumbles. Other than continuing fumbling problems, becoming lackadaisical when up in the fourth quarter, and some slight pass protection mishaps, this was practically a perfect game from the Bears. If this is what we can expect every time Caleb plays, this Bears team has a chance to beat just about anyone in this league.
