The Chicago Bears earned another victory on Sunday, bringing their win total to eight for the first time since 2020. This time, it was a 31-28 victory at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It was more
of the same for the Steelers, a team that has only walked away with a victory in Chicago once (1995). And it was also more of the same for the 2025 Chicago Bears, who again found a way to win a close game that came down to the final moments.
This one required a solid outing from nearly everyone. Sure, the Steelers were without starting QB Aaron Rodgers, but the Bears were also without the majority of their starting defense. So I’m not apologizing for this win.
Would the game have turned out differently with Rodgers in there? Perhaps. Would the game also have turned out differently if Rodgers was in there but throwing against Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, etc.? I’d argue yes (in the Bears’ favor).
Missing all three starting linebackers and taking on a team that likes to run 12 and 13 personnel, many fans were sounding the alarm bells heading into the game. I’m not going to lie to you, I was pretty worried as well. But in the end, the defense was able to band together and get stops (and turnovers) when they needed them the most. And the offense put points on the board.
Let’s get to the game balls.
Dense Game Ball: DE Montez Sweat
Sweat continued his great streak of games that started after the bye week and came up with some huge moments against the Steelers. Perhaps none bigger than his strip sack and fumble recovery in the third quarter:
At the time of the fumble, Pittsburgh was driving in Bears’ territory and only down by three points. It was a clear momentum shift in the game, followed up by a Bears touchdown that extended the lead to double digits (31-21).
Sweat had three tackles (all solo), two sacks, three tackles for loss, the aforementioned forced fumble (and recovery), and two QB hits. The Bears needed a big game from the D-Line given the injuries to the other levels of the defense, and Sweat came through in a big way.
Defense Game Ball: LB D’Marco Jackson
I’m going to skip the special teams game ball this week in lieu of giving out a second to the defense. This one goes to D’Marco Jackson, who did an admirable job filling in this week at MLB. Not only that, but he had to call the defensive plays. It was only the second time in his career he’s done so.
Jackson ended the day with a monstrous 15 tackles (five solo) and one tackle for loss. Jackson told ESPN that he woke up early all week and stood in front his mirror practicing the play calls so that he could memorize them ahead of Sunday’s game.
Jackson’s familiarity with Dennis Allen, having spent the previous two seasons in New Orleans, also didn’t hurt matters. Bears fans can be confident that if the injury bug continues to strike the LB room, they have a more-than-capable player in Jackson who is ready to contribute.
I also considered CB. Nahshon Wright for the game ball. He sometimes struggles in coverage, but there’s no denying his knack for making big time plays. His interceptions on Sunday during Pittsburgh’s first drive was incredible stuff.
Altogether, Wright has had an outstanding season given where he was at to start the year. He’s now tied with Kevin Byard III for most interceptions in the league (5).
Offense Game Ball: QB Caleb Williams
It was a weird game for Williams on Sunday. He missed several throws where accuracy continued to be a problem, and he also had a horrid fumble in the end zone that led to seven points for the Steelers.
That being said, Williams didn’t spiral out of control after that turnover like many Bears QBs of the past may have. Instead, he recovered and helped the offense put up 31 points against a solid defense and ended up having a pretty good day.
Williams finished the day 19/35 for 239 yards, 3 TD passes, 0 interceptions, and a 104.3 passer rating (68.1 QBR). He added 21 yards rushing on four attempts. It was an impressive outing against a good pass rush, and without the Bears generating much of a run game to balance their offensive attack.
I also considered Ozzy Trapilo for the game ball. Stepping in for the injured Theo Benedet, Trapilo was forced to play LT, despite the fact that we learned in training camp that he’s better suited for the right side. No matter Trapilo was very good on Sunday — he was particularly good in pass protection.
DJ Moore also had one of his best games of the season, hauling in five passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns.
Bryan Orenchuk and myself will have plenty to say this week on a new episode of Bears Over Beers. We’ll be live on Wednesday night on the 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel, or available on demand via your favorite podcasting platform after. Our 2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel is available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Audacy, and other popular podcast platforms.
Who would have received your game balls? Let us know in the comments section below.
