Williams throws 2 TDs as Bears snap skid, edge Jaguars 23-20

Chicago, IL - Caleb Williams threw two touchdown passes, D’Andre Swift rushed for a game-high 105 yards and the Chicago Bears ended a three-game losing streak with a 23-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13.

Chicago entered the game at 2-9 and searching for its first win in four games. The Bears emerged from the three-point result with advantages in offensive yards, first downs and rushing production, while their defense finished with three sacks and the game’s only interception.

The Bears totaled 366 offensive yards, compared with 338 for Jacksonville, and recorded 20 first downs to the Jaguars’ 16. Chicago also finished with 148 rushing yards, 37 more than Jacksonville’s 111, giving the offense productive contributions from both Williams and Swift.

Williams completed 24 of 40 passes for 218 yards and finished with a 91.4 passer rating. His touchdown passes went to Rome Odunze and Kalif Raymond, and Jacksonville did not record an interception. Odunze paced Chicago with seven receptions for 81 yards, including a game-long 23-yard catch for the Bears. Raymond added five receptions for 45 yards.

"The result is what matters most, especially after the stretch we’ve been on," Williams said. "We got two touchdown passes, protected the ball in the passing game and had good production on the ground. There are still things we can clean up, but getting this win changes the feeling in the room."

Swift supplied Chicago’s most productive individual yardage total. He carried 21 times, the most rushing attempts in the game, and averaged 5 yards per carry. His 25-yard run was also the longest rushing gain by either team. Williams contributed another 24 yards on six attempts.

"Twenty-one carries tells you I had plenty of chances to stay involved," Swift said. "I wanted to be productive every time the ball came to me. Finishing over 100 yards is good, but ending the losing streak is the part everybody will remember."

Jacksonville had plenty of production of its own. Quinn Ewers completed 25 of 42 passes for a game-high 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His longest completion covered 29 yards, matching the game’s longest reception.

Jakobi Meyers was Ewers’ primary target, catching 10 passes for a game-high 109 yards. Josh Cameron caught three passes for 25 yards and scored Jacksonville’s receiving touchdown. On the ground, Joe Mixon ran 16 times for 91 yards and a touchdown, including a 20-yard gain.

"There were good stretches, but the interception is something I have to own," Ewers said. "We had enough yards to give ourselves opportunities. Completing six of 18 third downs isn’t the standard we want, and losing by three makes every missed chance stand out more."

The teams produced contrasting efficiency numbers in several areas. Chicago converted 6 of 14 third downs, while Jacksonville went 6 of 18. The Jaguars were 1 of 2 on fourth down. Inside the 20, Jacksonville scored touchdowns on both of its red-zone trips. Chicago reached the red zone twice, coming away with one touchdown and one field goal.

Chicago’s defense recorded three sacks and an interception against Ewers. Jacksonville finished with one sack and no interceptions, with Josh Hines-Allen accounting for its sack. The Bears did not dominate the yardage totals, but they finished ahead in both offensive yards and rushing yards while allowing 20 points.

For Chicago, the narrow result brought an immediate end to a three-game slide. Williams delivered two touchdown passes, Swift cleared 100 rushing yards and the Bears left Week 13 with a 23-20 win.

Up Next

Chicago will travel to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 14 looking to build on the victory, while Jacksonville returns home to host the Pittsburgh Steelers and tries to rebound from the loss.