Caleb Williams throws for 4 TDs in Bears' 31-14 win over Cowboys -- the 1st under coach Ben Johnson

Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune on Sep 21, 2025

Published in Football

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

CHICAGO — After two tepid performances to open the season, the Chicago Bears offense finally woke up against a reeling Dallas Cowboys defense led by former Bears coach Matt Eberflus.

Caleb Williams threw four touchdown passes in a 31-14 win over the Cowboys on Sunday at Soldier Field. Williams threw for three touchdowns in the first half, including a 35-yarder to Rome Odunze and a 65-yarder to rookie Luther Burden III on a flea flicker.

The second-year quarterback finished 19 of 28 for 298 yards and rushed for 12 yards on five carries.

Sunday’s win marked the first of the Ben Johnson era in Chicago. The Bears improved to 1-2 with a road game against the Las Vegas Raiders next week before their bye in Week 5.

The Bears exploded out of the gate Sunday. First came the touchdown to Odunze, which capped a five-play, 76-yard drive. It was Odunze’s fourth touchdown of the season, eclipsing his total from his rookie season last year.

On the touchdown to Burden, running back D’Andre Swift took a handoff and pitched back to Williams. The pitch came out of Swift’s hands funny and had a little too much air under it, but Williams had just enough time to grab it and loft a pass deep downfield for Burden.

Burden, who had just two catches for 2 yards this season before Sunday, had a defender beat by several steps and made his way in for an easy touchdown. Burden led the Bears with 101 yards on three catches.

After halftime it was a slow, methodical drive that all but salted the game away for the Bears. Johnson’s offense milked nearly 10 minutes off the clock in the third quarter on a 19-play, 76-yard touchdown drive.

The Bears kept the offense on the field on fourth-and-goal from the 4. Williams scrambled to his right before finding DJ Moore open in the back of the end zone for six points. The score put the Bears ahead 31-14 late in the third quarter.

Meanwhile, the Bears defense created four takeaways. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson forced a fumble on the first Cowboys possession, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds picked off Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott twice in the second half and Kevin Byard intercepted backup QB Joe Milton in the final minute.

Prescott lost his top target, Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, to an ankle injury early in the game. The Cowboys passing attack couldn’t do much without Lamb. Tight end Jake Ferguson led Dallas with 13 catches for 82 yards. Running back Jovante Williams totaled 76 yards on 10 carries.

It was an unceremonious return to Chicago for Eberflus, now the Cowboys defensive coordinator. The Cowboys defense lost All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers a week before the season, and the Dallas pass rush hit Williams only once Sunday.

Williams spread out the ball to eight targets. His 67.9% completion percentage was his highest of the season.

After an 0-2 start, the Bears picked up a much-needed win.

____