ATLANTA (AP) — Caleb Williams completed his first 12 passes in his return from a hamstring injury, D'Andre Swift ran for two touchdowns and the Chicago Bears beat the Atlanta Falcons 31-23 on Sunday.
The Bears led 31-7 before holding off Atlanta's comeback attempt in the final quarter.
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson (4) catches a touchdown pass ahead of Chicago Bears cornerback Malik Muhammad (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels is taken off the field after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game between the Falcons and the Chicago Bears in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Chicago Bears linebacker Noah Sewell (44) celebrates after a play against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Brandon Dorlus (54) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon, who was activated from the physically unable to perform list before the game in his return from a calf injury, had three sacks and two forced fumbles. Gordon's big day was capped by a sack of Michael Penix Jr. and forced fumble with 2:54 remaining and the Bears protecting a 31-23 lead. The fumble was recovered by Devin Bush at the Atlanta 28.
The Bears ran out the clock inside the Atlanta 5.
After missing three games, Williams was both mobile and accurate in his impressive return for the Bears (4-2). He opened the game by completing 6 of 6 passes for 64 yards, including a 14-yard scoring pass to Colston Loveland, on Chicago's opening drive.
Williams was 12 of 12 for 142 yards before throwing his first incompletion in the second quarter. Though the Bears won two of three games with Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum filing in at quarterback, Williams' return sparked the offense. He completed 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards with one touchdown.
Penix completed 19 of 33 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns for Atlanta (2-4) after leaving last week’s 30-23 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens with a rib injury.
Penix threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson in the second quarter. The perfectly placed back-shoulder fade pass cut the Bears' lead to 14-7, but a fumbled fair catch attempt by Zachariah Branch gave Chicago possession at the Atlanta 10 late in the first half. Branch also lost a fumble on a kickoff return late in the third quarter.
The Falcons didn't score again until Penix found Kyle Pitts on a 10-yard scoring pass in the fourth quarter. Penix then completed a pass to Branch for the 2-point play.
Roschon Johnson's lost fumble set up Penix's second scoring pass to Pitts with 5:41 remaining. After leading 31-7, Chicago's advantage was trimmed to 31-23 on Penix's 2-point pass to Drake London.
Swift's 2-yard scoring run gave Chicago a two-touchdown lead at halftime. Johnson also ran for a touchdown.
Chicago overcame 12 penalties for 133 yards. Wide receiver Jahdae Walker was ejected in the fourth quarter after being called for a personal foul for head-butting Atlanta's Chris Blair.
Bears: DB Cam Lewis was evaluated for a concussion in the second quarter. RB Kyle Monangai (thumb, toe) was inactive. RG Jonah Jackson was ruled doubtful to return with a hip injury in the third quarter.
Falcons: ILB Kendal Daniels was carted off the field midway through the third quarter after making a helmet-first tackle on tight end Colston Loveland. Daniels' head snapped back and Falcons players circled Daniels as he was strapped onto the stretcher and driven off the field. He was officially ruled out with a neck injury and the Falcons announced he was alert and had movement in all extremities and was being evaluated at Grady Hospital in Atlanta . ... ILB Divine Deablo (arm) was ruled out in the second quarter. CB Avieon Terrell (left shoulder) left the game in the second quarter. DB Billy Bowman Jr. was ruled doubtful with a hamstring injury.
Bears: Host New England on Thursday night.
Falcons: Host San Francisco next Sunday.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson (4) catches a touchdown pass ahead of Chicago Bears cornerback Malik Muhammad (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels is taken off the field after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game between the Falcons and the Chicago Bears in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Chicago Bears linebacker Noah Sewell (44) celebrates after a play against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Brandon Dorlus (54) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
