Chicago Bears Score and Recap (Week 12): Bears 31, Steelers 28 – Defense Holds Late For Fourth Consecutive Win
The Bears had another game that was in doubt in the final two minutes when they held a narrow lead over the Steelers at Soldier Field Sunday. This time it was the defense that made the key plays to give the home team their eighth win of the season.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers could not go so Pittsburgh went with backup Mason Rudolph, who was intercepted by Nahshon Wright on their opening possession. Chicago turned that mistake into a touchdown when QB Caleb Williams connected with D.J. Moore for a 5-yard score.
The Steelers responded with a marathon 95-yard drive that ended with D.K. Metcalf taking a backwards pass into the end zone to tie the score. Then disaster struck for the Bears in the second quarter when Williams was strip-sacked at the goal line by T.J. Watt and it was recovered by Yahya Black for a go-ahead touchdown.
Williams threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to young tight end Colston Loveland to even things at 14-14. Pittsburgh used a fake tush push to spring Kenneth Gainwell for a 55-yard run that set up a short Jaylen Warren TD. Chicago ran an effective two-minute drill with Cairo Santos kicking a 47-yard field goal to make it 21-17 at halftime.
The Bears went on top for good on their initial drive of the third quarter when Moore hauled in his second touchdown of the game, this one from 25 yards out to make it 24-21. Montez Sweat sacked Rudolph and forced a fumble that he recovered to set his team up for another score.
RB Kyle Monangai got that touchdown on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter and Chicago was in front 31-21. The Steelers were not going to go down quietly, however, as TE Pat Freiermuth grabbed a 19-yard TD to cut the margin to 31-28 with about six minutes left.
Pittsburgh had two chances to tie or take the lead but the undermanned Bears defense came through both times to preserve another close victory. (Box score)
Why the Bears Won
They played very well coming out of halftime and the injury ravaged defense did just enough to hang on at the end.
Key Moment
Rudolph had a 20-yard third down scramble just before the two-minute warning that was negated by an illegal formation penalty against the Steelers. Pittsburgh was forced to punt and eventually came up short.
Stats That Matter
- Williams continued to have some issues with accuracy but he threw for three touchdowns and 239 yards.
- Moore had 64 yards and the two touchdowns.
- Loveland is starting to develop into a real weapon at the tight end position with four catches.
Bottom Line
The Bears continue to win close games and clearly are much better coached than they have been in recent years. Injuries are taxing the defense and they could really use some of their injured linebackers and cornerbacks to return if they want to keep winning. Chicago is probably going to need two victories in their final six games to make the playoffs. They have a very difficult remaining schedule but they have put themselves in an excellent position to do it.
Next Up
The Bears head to Philadelphia for a Black Friday matchup against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles starting at 2:00pm CT on Amazon Prime Video.
