In their final home game of the NFL regular season, the Chicago Bears earned their 5th straight win at home with a 37-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on New Year’s Eve.
According to Bears PR, the last time the team won five in a row at home was back in 2018 (Weeks 8, 10, 11, 14 & 15). Quarterback Justin Fields passed for 268 yards, on 20-32 attempts and one touchdown in the win versus the Falcons on Sunday. He also had 11 rushes for 45 yards with one touchdown. His 268 passing yards were his third-most in a game this season.
A media member asked Fields after the game was this the highest [moment] he has ever felt right now as a Chicago Bear?
Fields responded: “Most definitely.”
Fields said with wins adding up and building team camaraderie throughout the season, the group is now just loving each other as a family. Fields said his positive relationship with guys in the locker room brings back memories from both his high school and college days.
“Just feels like high school or college again when you get those old memories,” said Fields. “That’s what it feels like. So it’s a great feeling, and ready to take on Green Bay. Let’s do it. Yes, sir.”
On the Bears opening drive, quarterback Justin Fields found DJ Moore for his 40th touchdown pass of his career, capping a seven-play, 60-yard drive. His second touchdown of the day came on the ground in the second quarter on a nine-yard rush to cap an eight-play, 68-yard drive, according to Bears PR.
The Bears added Moore caught his eighth touchdown of the season and 30th of his career on the Bears opening drive. He set a new career-high for receiving touchdowns in a single-season. Moore also set a new career-high for receiving yards in a season (1,300) and recorded the 450th catch of his career. In the first quarter, he had two receptions of 32-yards, marking the third time this season he has had multiple receptions of 25+ yards in a first quarter. He finished the game with nine catches for 159 yards and one touchdown. His 159 yards are his second-most in a game this season and marks his fifth game this season with 100 plus yards.
Running back Khalil Herbert recorded a 35-yard rush, a new season-long, setting up a Bears field goal. He scored his 10th-career touchdown and second of the season in the fourth quarter. Herbert has two touchdowns in his last two games. He also reached 350 rushes for his career in the fourth quarter. Herbert finished the afternoon with 18 carries for 124 yards and one touchdown, the Bears said.
In addition to a strong performance by the offense, the Bears defense finished with four interceptions on the afternoon, tying a season-high. This marked their eighth game this season with multiple takeaways for the Bears and third game with 4 plus takeaways. In their last six games, the Bears have 16 interceptions and 18 takeaways, according to the Bears.
Final Score: Bears 37, Falcons 17
With the victory, the Bears improved to 7-9 on the season and will play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, January 7, on the road. Game time to be announced.
Crusader Player of The Game:
Quarterback Justin Fields, Bears, passed for 268 yards and one touchdown in the win. Fields also rushed for one TD in the victory over the Falcons.
(Information courtesy of the Chicago Bears).
Joseph Phillips is the Sports Editor for the Chicago Crusader Newspaper. He is a Chicago native, who has been a sports writer for over 17 years. He also hosts the SC Media News and Sports Network Q&A radio show on WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago.
