The Chicago Bears didn’t get to slay their proverbial boogie man, Aaron Rodgers, in what will likely be his final trip to Soldier Field. Still, they did get to send him home a loser, with a 31-28 victory over the Mason Rudolph-led Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. I said earlier this week on the BN Bears Podcast that I hoped Aaron Rodgers would play today. I meant it. I still mean it. I wanted to see Caleb Williams out-duel the quarterback who has tormented the Bears for the better part of two decades. Such is life, I suppose. Even with Rodgers sidelined, Williams shone for much of the game, throwing for 239 yards, three touchdowns, and a 104.3 passer rating as Chicago moved to 8-3. But Williams, nor Rodgers, were the story of the game for Chicago. This team keeps finding ways to win, even with the deck stacked against it. Nov 23, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker (9) takes the field prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images Dennis Allen Keeps Finding a Way Regardless of who started under center for Mike Tomlin’s group, many thought Pittsburgh’s offense would have its way with Chicago’s defense because the Bears were down three starting linebackers and two of their starting cornerbacks on Sunday. Those people (myself included) were proven wrong by Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen and his group once again, which has been a recurring trend this season. Chicago’s defense featured the likes of Ruben Hyppolite II, D’Marco Jackson, and Amen Ogbongbemiga at linebacker, as well as cornerback Nick McCloud getting a ton of snaps in coverage. And yet, that group surrendered 345 yards of total offense to Pittsburgh and allowed the Steelers to convert on third down 57 percent of the time, and gave up four touchdowns. All things considered, that’s not a bad day at the office. Nov 23, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker D’Marco Jackson (48) makes a tackle on Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images With the game on the line, Chicago’s defense made a pair of stops in the closing minutes, including the game-sealer, when safety Jaquan Brisker tipped a Mason Rudolph pass intended for the sticks on fourth down. As they’ve done all season, the Bears defense got a takeaway when they needed one to shift the momentum. This time, it came from Montez Sweat, who knocked the ball from Rudolph on a sack and recovered the fumble. The offense responded by marching the ball down the field and punching it in for six on a Kyle Monangai touchdown. That score extended their lead to 10 points and would ultimately be the deciding one. “He’s been heating up since the bye week,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said of Sweat after the game. “You’ve just felt it; each week he seems to impact the game a little bit more each week … It’s good to see that come on.” The Bears have 73 points off turnovers this season, the second-most in the NFL. Chicago’s defense ranks in the bottom third in yardage (27th) and points allowed (26th), but they lead the league in takeaways, and they get them when they need them most. With Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon likely back on the field for the final six games of the regular season, Allen’s defense has a chance to be even better than they’ve been. “It’s going to get scary,” safety Jaquan Brisker said to Jeff Joniak (via Marquee Sports on X) after the game of the impending return of Johnson and Gordon. “We haven’t played together yet, and when we do, it’s going to be amazing. I appreciate every guy that has stepped up in the locker room (in their absence), they never wavered … we’re just going to keep building off this, and when that time comes, it’s going to get bad.” Also, shoutout to Nahshon Wright, who has performed admirably this season in a role bigger than anyone could have expected. Wright’s interception today was his fifth of the season, which is tied for the league lead with teammate Kevin Byard III. Bears take the ball away more than any defense in the NFL, and here’s an example of why. Just an incredible INT from Nahshon Wright: pic.twitter.com/Lylldx3jA2— Kevin Smith (@KTSmithFFSN) November 23, 2025 2025 NFL Draft Class Keeps Producing While Chicago may not be a Super Bowl-caliber team just yet, a trait of many Super Bowl-caliber teams is strong, early-contributing draft classes. And the Bears’ 2025 NFL Draft class continues to step up in their rookie seasons. On Sunday, rookie Ozzie Trapilo was called upon to make his first start at left tackle in place of the injured Theo Benedet. Trapilo, a right tackle by trade, responded by allowing one pressure, an 87.4 pass block grade, and an 80.9 true pass set grade (via PFF). Trapilo’s passing blocking grades were a team-high. Luther Burden III caught three passes for 46 yards (with 30 yards coming after the catch!) and had a 15-yard rush, again showcasing the explosiveness and playmaking that had many believing he was a first-round talent in last year’s pre-draft process. On a day where the run game was as ineffective as we’ve seen on this side of the bye week, rookie Kyle Monangai rushed for 48 yards on 12 carries (4.0) and scored the eventual game-winning touchdown in the third quarter. His backfield running mate D’Andre Swift ran for only 15 yards on eight carries (1.9). And then there’s Colston Loveland, who caught four passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. Additoinally, Loveland did his job in the pass protection game by posting a 74.1 pass blocking grade via Pro Football Focus. The rookie tight end also made one of the better catches you’ll see, considering the hit that he took while hauling it in: Colston Loveland catchpic.twitter.com/OdVm8YYStE— ✶ Ⓜ️𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕤 ▶️ ✶ (@_MarcusD3_) November 23, 2025 What’s Next? Chicago has a short turnaround this week with a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday looming. Friday’s contest will undoubtedly be the most challenging game of the season to date, but if the Bears can leave Philly with a win, they’ll be 9-3 and legitimate threats to win the NFC North and make some noise in January. Game Balls Caleb Williams: 19-35, 239 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT, 104.3 RTG Montez Sweat: 3 TACKLES, 2 SACKS, 1 FF, 1 FUMB REC DJ Moore: 5 REC, 64 YDS, 2 TD Bonus Stat (via Bears Media Website): Caleb Williams registered his fourth career game with at least three passing touchdowns and zero interceptions, the most of any QB drafted over the last two seasons and tied for the third most in franchise history. More on the Chicago Bears’ Victory Bears 31, Steelers 28: Win No. 8 Was Great Instant Bears Player Grades: It’s Not About How You Start, It’s How You Finish
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