Notes from the Bears' redeeming 24-18 win over the Rams

The Chicago Bears advanced to 2-2 after beating the Los Angeles Rams, 24-18, which featured some notable performances on offense and defense. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for Chicago.

The Bears had their best offensive performance of the season en route to their second win of the season. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 157 yards and a touchdown while completing 74% of his passes. Running back D’Andre Swift led the Bears in rushing with 93 yards and a touchdown, as well as led the team in receiving with 72 yards.

Here are our notes from each quarter of the win:

First quarter

The first quarter was pretty uneventful for the Bears. Williams completed 3-of-4 passes for 13 yards. The offensive line continued to struggle in pass protection but looked okay in run blocking. Swift had 18 yards on his four carries, giving him 4.5 yards per rush, which is great compared to his 1.8 yards per rush for the season.

The Bears defense didn’t particularly shine in the opening quarter, but they did only allow a field goal. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. sacked quarterback Matthew Stafford on the first offensive possession for the Rams, but the Bears’ secondary had a hard time stopping Stafford through the air.

Second quarter

After safety Jaquan Brisker’s interception at the start of the second quarter was taken back, the Bears still forced the Rams into a fourth down and they settled for a field goal to go up 6-0. It seemed like a perfect opportunity for offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to try and get the ball downfield through the air.

The Bears' first drive of the second quarter was ridden with penalties and atrocious pass protection and ended in a punt. But a strip sack by defensive end Montez Sweat, that was recovered by cornerback Kyler Gordon, set the offense up at the Rams’ 16-yard line. A pass interference call then set running back Roschon Johnson up for a 1-yard touchdown run. Once again, the Bears offense is being set up and relies on their defense.

After the Rams missed a field goal with 1:01 left in the half, the Bears drove down field on a drive that D’Andre Swift had two receptions for 38 receiving yards. But Williams overthrew an open Rome Odunze and DJ Moore in the endzone, and the Bears settled for a field goal. Despite another good half from the defense, Chicago’s offense shows flashes but cannot be consistent.

Third quarter

The Bears held the Rams to a field goal on the opening drive of the second half, and then the offense took over and looked beautiful for the Bears. Williams and Swift led a 12-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a back of the end zone touchdown catch by Moore on a beautiful pass from Williams. Not only has Swift’s versatility redeemed his slow start to the season, but it has made William’s job much easier.

The quarter ended with the Bears defense getting run down the field by Kyren Williams. Stafford started the drive completing with two completions for 46 yards, and Williams capped it off with a 3-yard house call at the start of the fourth quarter.

Fourth quarter

The Bears' first drive of the game’s closing quarter was a perfect balance of passing and running. Williams threw two completions for 36 yards to set Swift up for a 36-yard rushing touchdown.

The only time Chicago had to punt in the fourth quarter, Tory Taylor launched the ball for 66 yards and pinned the Rams on their own 8-yard line, leading to a 3-and-out forced by the Bears defense. Taylor had five punts and averaged 55.4 yards per punt and pinned the Rams within the 20-yard line on three punts. Obviously you don’t want to use him much, but it’s assuring to know that he is a weapon at flipping the field so consistently.

Stafford and the Rams had one more opportunity to tie or even win the game. They had 1:03 to go 92 yards downfield. Stafford dropped back and fired it right to Brisker, who had the interception taken away from him in the second quarter. Williams and the Bears got to end the most productive offensive performance of the season so far in victory formation.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Notes from the Bears' redeeming 24-18 win over the Rams