The Chicago Bears tore via the Buffalo Payments 38-0 at Soldier Discipline on Sunday, racking up their first preseason shutout in 31 years. The victory improved Chicago’s preseason file to 1-0-1 after a 24-24 tie with the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. Though the Payments sat their starters, the Bears showcased each promising younger expertise and depth throughout the roster.
Caleb Williams, the primary general decide within the 2024 NFL Draft, made his preseason debut after sitting out the Week 1 tie. Williams commanded Ben Johnson’s offense with precision, finishing 6 of 10 passes for 102 yards and a landing, posting a 130.0 passer ranking.
His first drive was spectacular, overcoming a brief kick return and a penalty, he led a 92-yard march that ended with a 36-yard landing cross to Olamide Zaccheaus, who hurdled a tackler en path to the tip zone. Williams additionally related on 18-yard and 29-yard passes to rookie first-round decide Colston Loveland and tight finish Cole Kmet, respectively.
Following Williams’ exit after the second possession, Tyson Bagent led three second-quarter landing drives. Bagent accomplished 13 of twenty-two passes for 197 yards earlier than leaving halfway via the third quarter.
The Bears’ working recreation additionally excelled. Ian Wheeler rushed 19 occasions for 80 yards and scored a 1-yard landing, whereas newly acquired Brittain Brown carried 16 occasions for 73 yards, ending an 86-yard drive with a landing plunge. By way of halftime, Chicago had outgained the Payments 343 yards to 22 and held an 18-1 benefit in first downs.
Second-year standout Luther Burden III contributed with the second-team offense, catching all three of his targets for 49 yards and excelling as a run blocker on a number of performs that paved the way in which for Wheeler and Brown’s touchdowns. The Bears’ offensive line offered robust safety all through, permitting Williams and Austin Reed to stay unpressured and limiting Bagent to a single sack.
Chicago’s protection, led by aggressive play from Amen Ogbongbemiga and Ruben Hyppolite II, compelled incompletions on over half of Buffalo’s passes and recorded a number of sacks from Austin Booker and Andrew Billings. The Payments’ backups, together with Mitchell Trubisky, Mike White, and Shane Buechele, struggled all through, collectively posting a 55.7 passer ranking, whereas the Bears’ three quarterbacks mixed for a 112.0 passer ranking.
Accidents have been a priority for the Bears. DE Austin Booker, DE Dominique Robinson, rookie WR J.P. Richardson, RB Deion Hankins, and CB Terell Smith all left the sport with numerous knee and ankle accidents, although the workforce’s depth mitigated the impression. The Payments noticed DB Jordan Hancock exit with a shoulder damage, whereas MVP Josh Allen and different starters remained sidelined.