Let’s cut the shit: the Chicago Bears beat the hell out of the Dallas Cowboys, 31-14, and it wasn’t even that close. Ben Johnson didn’t just get his first win as head coach — he grabbed it by the throat and let everyone know he’s not here to play patty-cake. This was a statement game, the kind of win that shows what happens when a young roster finally syncs up with a creative scheme and a quarterback who decides it’s time to grow the hell up.
After combing through the film, the numbers, and the vibes (yeah, vibes matter), here are the five Bears who absolutely earned their Winner patches in Week 3.
1. Caleb Williams
If you were still on the fence about Caleb Williams, this game should’ve made you feel like a damn fool. The rookie lit up the Cowboys with 298 yards, four touchdowns, and a career-high 142.6 passer rating. More importantly, he looked like the franchise quarterback Chicago’s been begging for since... ever.
No sacks. Zero. This after taking 68 sacks last year. That tells you two things: his offensive line isn’t trash anymore, and Williams is learning how to move, anticipate, and avoid the free-runners. His 10.8 yards per attempt? Lethal. 239 yards in the first half alone? Disgusting.
And let’s talk about that 65-yard flea-flicker to Luther Burden III. 62.1 air yards. Longest of his career and the longest in the NFL this season at the time. That’s not just big-arm energy — that’s chemistry, timing, and knowing exactly when to rip it.
He hit eight different receivers, distributed the ball like a point guard, and cooked his former head coach’s defense like a man on a revenge tour. If this is the new norm, the NFC North’s in for a long season.
2. Luther Burden III
Welcome to the league, Luther. The rookie went full scorched earth: three catches, 101 yards, and a TD. That’s 33.7 yards per catch. Oh, and he did it on just three targets. Efficient? Try surgical.
The 65-yard bomb was the highlight, but it was the way he sold the flea-flicker that deserves props. Slow-played the route, accelerated at the perfect second, and left the secondary in a panic. That’s not just athleticism — that’s high football IQ.
He also hauled in a clutch 29-yarder late in the first half to set up a score, and even took an end-around for seven yards and a first. Dude is a weapon, and Ben Johnson clearly knows how to use him.
After doing jack all in the first two games (5 catches for 5 yards), Burden exploded like a stick of dynamite in a closed room. If this is the rookie learning curve, the Bears’ WR room just got a whole lot scarier.
3. Tremaine Edmunds
When the Bears signed Edmunds to a big contract, the expectation was impact plays. Not just steady tackling — but game-changing moments. Week 3 delivered exactly that.
Two interceptions. Fifteen tackles. One diving pick in the fourth quarter that showed off his range and ball skills. One fourth-down, goal-line interception that choked out a Cowboys drive like a boa constrictor.
He was everywhere. With T.J. Edwards out, Edmunds had to wear the captain’s cape — and he did it like a pro. Covered ground in the run game, snuffed out screens, and dropped into zones like a damn chess master.
This was the kind of linebacker play you pay big money for. And it came against a team that needed to be punched in the mouth.
4. Tyrique Stevenson
Stevenson caught heat after the first two games — and rightfully so. He looked lost. But against Dallas? Different dude.
His strip-fumble recovery on the second drive set the tone. Not only did he dislodge the ball, he stayed in bounds and secured it. That turned into the Bears’ first touchdown. Momentum shift, just like that.
He followed it up with two pass breakups, one on third down that forced a field goal. But more than that, his coverage finally looked confident. He wasn’t grabbing, wasn’t guessing. He was reacting — and winning.
You want to see development from young corners, especially in a division with Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown lurking. Stevenson finally looked like a guy who belongs.
5. Rome Odunze
While Burden gets the flashy headlines, Odunze is quietly becoming that guy. Three catches, 62 yards, and a touchdown. That’s three straight games with a score, tying him for the NFL lead.
His 35-yard TD? A route adjustment on the fly after Diggs slipped. Williams saw it, Odunze saw it, boom. Six points. That kind of chemistry doesn’t come easy, especially with a rookie QB.
What makes Odunze special isn’t just the production — it’s the consistency. Red zone threat. Chain mover. Situational weapon. He’s the kind of receiver that quarterbacks fall in love with, because he bails you out and makes you look good.
The Bears haven’t had a reliable WR duo like this in years. If Odunze and Burden keep leveling up, defensive coordinators will lose sleep.
Final Verdict
This wasn’t just five guys balling out — it was a complete team victory. The 19-play, 76-yard drive that ate up nearly 10 minutes of clock? That’s the type of soul-sucking possession that championship teams execute. Eleven straight runs, dominating up front, converting third downs — it was beautiful football.
The defense forced four takeaways. The offense looked dynamic and unpredictable. The Bears played like a team with an identity, finally.
Ben Johnson’s fingerprints were all over this win. Creativity on offense. Aggressiveness in game management. Cohesion from all three phases. It felt like the start of something real.
If this is the version of the Bears we’re getting going forward? Strap in. This ride might be fun as hell.
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