Chicago Bears Score and Recap (Week 9): Bears 47, Bengals 42 – Chicago Wins Wild Shootout in Final Minute
Going into Sunday’s game in Cincinnati the expectation was for a high scoring affair and that definitely was the result. The Bears and Bengals combined for 89 points in a back-and-forth contest which concluded with a wild final two minutes that eventually ended with the road team surviving after blowing a 14-point lead.
Cincinnati got off to an explosive start when Charlie Jones returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. Chicago responded immediately driving down the field and tying the score on a trick play with wide receiver D.J. Moore passing the ball to quarterback Caleb Williams from 2 yards out.
After a Bengals field goal, the Bears went ahead when Williams hit Olamide Zaccheaus for a 15-yard touchdown early in the second quarter to make it 14-10. Both squads traded FGs before Joe Flacco threw a 44-yard strike to Tee Higgins that put the home team in front 20-17 at the half.
Chicago had a long drive to begin the third quarter with Williams connecting with his young tight end Colston Loveland for a 5-yard TD. Higgins grabbed his second touchdown pass and Cincinnati went back ahead 27-24.
The Bears ran the ball will against the Bengals on Sunday and fourth-string running back Brittain Brown broke a 22-yard touchdown run to give his team a 31-27 edge. Defensive end Austin Booker made his season debut and strip-sacked Flacco which set up a Cairo Santos field goal that increased the margin to 34-27.
Chicago appeared to get the touchdown that put the game on ice with Moore taking a 15-yard reverse in to go up 41-27 with just 4 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati would not go quietly however with TE Noah Fant hauling in a TD and a successful two-point conversion bringing them within 41-35 with 1:43 left.
Then disaster struck, with the onside kick getting recovered by the Bengals who immediately tore down the field and took a 42-41 lead on a 9-yard touchdown by Andrei Iosivas. Somehow the Bears got off the mat with 54 seconds left and won the game when Williams hit Loveland, who broke a tackle and rumbled 58 yards for a touchdown and an eventual 47-42 victory. (Box score)
Why the Bears Won
This was definitely a case of whoever had the ball last was going to win and Chicago was the lucky one Sunday.
Key Moment
Things were looking pretty grim for the Bears down a point with 20 seconds left. However a massive breakdown by Cincinnati gave them an opening and the first round draft pick Loveland made them pay for it.
Stats That Matter
- William was responsible for four touchdowns and had 280 yards passing with an additional 53 yards rushing.
- Running back Kyle Monangai had a huge game filling in for injured D’Andre Swift with 176 yards on the ground.
- Moore had two touchdowns and 91 total yards Sunday.
Bottom Line
Offensively the Bears were great but the defense and special teams were a complete mess. Nine times out of 10 that game is a loss and only a miraculous play saved them. Chicago is going to have to massively improve their level of play if they want any chance of a playoff berth.
Next Up
The Bears return home to take on the New York Giants Sunday at 12:00pm CT on FOX.
