Instant analysis of Bears' 24-17 win vs. Titans in Week 1

It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t quite the coming out party for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams the fans hoped it’d be, but the Chicago Bears (1-0) fought tooth-and-nail to pull ahead of Tennessee Titans (0-1) in the fourth quarter and come out of opening weekend with a 24-17 comeback win.

Titans quarterback Will Levis’ desperate attempt at leading a game-winning drive was thwarted by franchise cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who stepped in front of the Hail Mary throw for the interception, ensuring a Bears’ win. The defense and special teams stepped up on the scoring front when the offense was in disarray, coming away with two crucial scores that swung the game in the second half.

Special teams had the honor of scoring the Bears’ first touchdown of the season, with defensive end Daniel Hardy flashing in front of punter Ryan Stonehouse to block the kick and “Hard Knocks" star safety Jonathan Owens scooping the live ball and running into the endzone. The pivotal play cut the Titans’ lead to just one score at 17-10, giving the navy blue and orange life for the first time all game.

Stud second-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson answered the special teams' touchdown with one of his own, picking off Levis on a poor throw and taking off down the left sideline and in for the 43-yard score. Williams found a wide-open D’Andre Swift in the endzone for the two-point conversion a play later, putting them ahead 24-17 with only a few minutes left in regulation.

Chicago’s incredible comeback came in spite of the offense’s ineptitude, which looked downright horrendous in spots. The unit’s known weaknesses reared their ugly heads in the team’s first action of the year: the offensive line was battered by a capable Titans’ front, playcaller Shane Waldron couldn’t get them into a rhythm, and Williams looked like a rookie playing in his first NFL game. The Bears offense failed to get across the goal line on Sunday, mustering only nine points on three field goals.

The defense and special teams’ downright heroic effort to win the game makes it easier to chalk up some of the offense’s struggles as simple inexperience and unfamiliarity with a new offense. But Williams’ squad did demonstrate a few precious positives, especially late in the game. The club’s rookie signal-caller managed to calm his nerves and orchestrated an impressive drive on their last possession, salting much of the clock away. Receiver Keenan Allen overcame a brutal end-zone drop early to become a contributor late, and DJ Moore looked every bit as elusive and deadly in space as he did last year.

Deserved criticism will be lobbed at the Bears’ poor offensive performance, but an unlikely Week 1 victory makes their shortcomings much easier to accept.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Instant analysis of Bears' 24-17 win vs. Titans in Week 1