Caleb Williams Shines with 4 TDs, Ben Johnson Earns First Win as Bears Roll Over Cowboys 31-14

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CHICAGO — After a turbulent start to the season, the Chicago Bears finally found their rhythm on Sunday, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 31-14 at Soldier Field. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams tied his career high with four touchdown passes, guiding the Bears to their first win of the season — and the first NFL victory for new head coach Ben Johnson.

It was a feel-good moment for a franchise coming off back-to-back losses, including a demoralizing 52-21 beatdown in Detroit just a week earlier. Johnson didn’t hold back during the week, calling his team’s practice effort “not championship-caliber.” On Sunday, however, his squad delivered a statement win against a Cowboys team fresh off an overtime victory.

“It’s awesome,” said Williams, who went 19-of-28 for 298 yards and a 142.6 passer rating. “To have this moment for [Coach Johnson] and for us, it’s really important.”

Big Plays, Big Confidence

Chicago’s offense found its identity early, opening the scoring with a trick play — a flea-flicker that turned into a 65-yard touchdown reception for rookie Luther Burden, his first career score. The second-round pick from Missouri finished the game with 101 yards on just three catches, showing explosive potential.

Rome Odunze continued his strong start to the season, hauling in his fourth touchdown and 62 yards receiving, while Cole Kmet and DJ Moore added red zone scores.

Moore’s 4-yard touchdown came at the tail end of a grueling 19-play, 9-minute-and-54-second drive — one that electrified the Bears sideline and demoralized the Cowboys defense.

“A 19-play drive, that’s going to bring the dog out of everybody,” said Odunze. “To cap it off with a touchdown tells me we’ve got the right guys in here.”

Defensive Redemption

The Bears’ defense, gashed the previous week, responded with three takeaways, including two interceptions by linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who also received a game ball alongside Williams in the postgame locker room celebration.

Chicago held the Cowboys to just 14 points and 295 total yards, and limited explosive plays — something Dallas capitalized on in previous games. Former Bears head coach and current Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus had a rough return to Soldier Field, watching his unit give up 385 yards.

The win also marked the Bears’ 799th regular-season victory, inching them closer to the all-time mark held by the rival Green Bay Packers (812).

Cowboys Crash Back to Earth

Dallas (1-2) looked flat after their dramatic win over the Giants. Quarterback Dak Prescott completed 31 of 40 passes for 251 yards and one touchdown to George Pickens, but he was also intercepted twice and benched for the final series.

The Cowboys also suffered key injuries. Star wideout CeeDee Lamb exited in the first half with a sprained ankle and did not return after halftime. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (shoulder) and defensive tackle Kenny Clark (ankle) also left the game.

“This can be a humbling business,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “If you don’t play well, you’re not going to win. We’ve got to stop giving up big plays and turning the ball over. It’s a bad formula.”

Owner Jerry Jones voiced disappointment but urged patience, noting that the NFL season is a long one.

“Teams have lost their third game and gone on to do well in the playoffs,” Jones said.

Looking Ahead

The Bears (1-2) will try to build on the momentum next Sunday when they visit the Las Vegas Raiders. The Cowboys (1-2), now facing pressure on both sides of the ball, return home to host the Green Bay Packers — a matchup now fueled by the offseason trade that sent Micah Parsons to Dallas.

Final Score: Bears 31, Cowboys 14Records: Bears (1-2), Cowboys (1-2)Notable: Bears earn 799th all-time win; Caleb Williams matches career-high with 4 TDs.