Bears hang on for 8th win in 9 games, beating Steelers 31-28

Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune on Nov 23, 2025

Published in Football

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CHICAGO — The Pittsburgh Steelers had one last chance Sunday, taking over at their 20-yard line with 1:29 remaining.

Needing a field goal to tie, quarterback Mason Rudolph marched the Pittsburgh offense to midfield, but his fourth-down pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker and fell incomplete.

The Bears held on for a 31-28 victory in front of 59,658 fans at Soldier Field — their eighth win in nine games and fourth in a row — to remain atop the NFC North standings at 8-3.

On a day when the Steelers were playing without quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Bears defense forced two key turnovers that the offense turned into points. That proved to be the difference.

A pivotal one came in the third quarter when Bears defensive end Montez Sweat stripped Rudolph, the Steelers backup who started in place of Rodgers. The ball bounced around on the ground for several seconds before Sweat jumped on it for a fumble recovery. It was Sweat’s second sack of the game.

The Bears turned it into a touchdown a short while later when running back Kyle Monangai punched in a 2-yard score. That put the Bears ahead 31-21 early in the fourth quarter. Then the defense came up with a pair of key late stops to hold on for the win.

In the first half, Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright picked off Rudolph’s first pass of the day. Rudolph targeted top receiver DK Metcalf on a deep ball to his left, but the ball was underthrown and Wright made a wild, one-handed catch for his fifth interception this season.

The Bears turned the takeaway into a touchdown when Williams connected with DJ Moore on a 5-yard pass.

The Bears offense overcame two turnovers of its own in the first half, including a strip-sack in its end zone. Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt was credited with the sack as Williams lost the football, and edge rusher Nick Herbig jumped on it for a touchdown.

Running back D’Andre Swift also fumbled for the other Bears turnover in the first half.

Moore totaled 64 yards on five catches with two touchdowns. Williams finished 19-of 35-passing for 239 yards and three touchdowns, also connecting with tight end Colston Loveland for a score. Monangai ran for 48 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

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