Larry Mayer
Caleb Williams threw two touchdown passes to DJ Moore, D'Andre Swift rushed for a pair of TDs and the defense intercepted three passes and did not allow a TD as the Bears cruised to a 31-3 win over the Browns Sunday at frigid Soldier Field.
The Bears controlled both sides of the ball, outgaining the Browns 361-192. Williams completed 17 of 28 passes for 242 yards with two TDs, no turnovers and a 112.5 passer rating. Swift rushed for 98 yards on 18 carries.
D'Marco Jackson, Jaylon Johnson and C.J. Gardner-Johnson all intercepted Shedeur Sanders passes in the second half as the Bears registered their most lopsided victory since a 36-7 home victory over the Texans Dec. 13, 2020.
In registering their sixth win in their last seven games, the Bears improved to 10-4, setting up a first-place showdown with the Packers Saturday night at Soldier Field.
The Bears were determined to get off to a quick start on offense Sunday, and they did just that by scoring touchdowns on their second and third possessions of the game.
Swift's 6-yard TD run gave them a 7-0 lead, and after the defense forced its second straight three-and-out, Williams' 3-yard TD pass to Moore streaking across the back of the end zone made it 14-0 late in the first quarter.
The Browns cut the deficit to 14-3 on Andre Szmyt's 50-yard field goal early in the second half. But the Bears scored 17 unanswered points.
The defense generated its first takeaway of the game as Jackson leaped to deflect and intercept a Sanders pass at the Browns' 22.
On the next play, Williams rolled to his right and hit Moore in the back of the end zone for a TD that extended the Bears' lead to 21-3 midway through the third quarter.
Johnson followed by intercepting a Sanders pass deep down the right sideline, snatching the ball away from receiver Jerry Jeudy in the end zone.
The Bears capitalized on the turnover, widening the margin to 28-3 on Swift's 17-yard TD run late in the third quarter.
Gardner-Johnson followed with the Bears' third interception, returning it 23 yards to the Browns' 22. The pick set up Cairo Santos' 41-yard field goal, which made it 31-3 with 7:30 remaining.
