The Chicago Bears pulled out their fourth straight win, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers at Soldier Field in Week 12, though it was a near thing until the end.
Chicago went up 31-21 with a little over 14 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, but the defense surrendered a 17-play drive on the next series that ended in a Steelers’ touchdown. The Bears went three-and-out on their next two drives, gaining just 11 total yards on those six offensive plays and leaned on the defense to hold off Pittsburgh and eke out a three-point victory.
During the postgame press conference, a reporter asked quarterback Caleb Williams how he reconciles what was mostly a good day and ultimately a win with the team’s inability to “put away” the Steelers down the stretch.
“You don’t apologize for any wins in this league,” Williams said. “That’s a historic organization over there, and they got a bunch of great athletes, a bunch of great coaches and things like that. So like I said, you don’t apologize.”
“We’re an 8-3 team in the National Football League, and so we feel good with where we’re at,” Williams continued. “We don’t feel like we’re the same old Bears. We pull through for each other when it matters most.”
Montez Sweat Played Best Game of His Year Against Steelers
GettyDefensive end Montez Sweat of the Chicago Bears.
Williams finished the afternoon 19-of-35 passing for 239 yards and three TDs. He also ran the football four times for 21 yards on the ground.
His counterpart on the defensive side of the football was edge rusher Montez Sweat, who ended the game with three tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble that he also recovered.
“I think I’m just taking advantage of my opportunities,” Sweat said. “Earlier in the season, I felt like I was playing good ball. But the stats are starting to come through for me, and it’s a blessing. But we still got a lot more left on the table to get cleaned up.”
Sweat now has 12 QB hits, 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks on the season, with the vast majority of that production coming over the last six games. The Bears are 5-1 over that stretch, including four victories by five points or fewer.
“We’re creating a history of competing in these close games, and we feel pretty comfortable in it,” Sweat continued. “We know when we’re down, or it’s a close game, we still in a fight. And I feel that coming from all phases, so we just all fighting.”
Bears Face Tough Schedule Down Stretch of Season
GettyChicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson.
Chicago has taken care of business where necessary, which puts them in an advantageous position with a tough schedule down the stretch.
The Bears came into Week 12 facing the hardest strength of schedule in the NFL over the remainder of the season, which continues with back-to-back road games against the Philadelphia Eagles the day after Thanksgiving (November 28) on a short week and then at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.
Chicago hosts the Cleveland Browns and Packers in its following two contests before a road trip to the West Coast against the San Francisco 49ers. The Bears finish the year at home against the Detroit Lions, who embarrassed Chicago by 31 points at Ford Field in Week 2.
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