Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons — 2026-10-18 Game Analysis

Final · Sun

ESPN game file

Q1 8:15TDCHIColston Loveland 14 Yd pass from Caleb Williams (Cairo Santos Kick)7–0
Q1 1:07TDCHID'Andre Swift 4 Yd Rush (Cairo Santos Kick)14–0
Q2 5:45TDATLJahan Dotson 13 Yd pass from Michael Penix Jr. (Nick Folk Kick)14–7
Q2 1:26TDCHID'Andre Swift 2 Yd Rush (Cairo Santos Kick)21–7
Q3 1:48TDCHIRoschon Johnson 4 Yd Rush (Cairo Santos Kick)28–7
Q4 14:56FGCHICairo Santos 50 Yd Field Goal31–7
Q4 9:34TDATLKyle Pitts Sr. 10 Yd pass from Michael Penix Jr. (Michael Penix Jr. Pass to Zachariah Branch for Two-Point Conversion)31–15
Q4 5:41TDATLKyle Pitts Sr. 5 Yd pass from Michael Penix Jr. (Michael Penix Jr. Pass to Drake London for Two-Point Conversion)31–23

Recap

On October 18, 2026, the Chicago Bears defeated the Atlanta Falcons 31-23 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Caleb Williams returned from a hamstring injury and helped Chicago build a lead it never surrendered.

Williams had missed 3 games before returning to complete 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown. He was perfect on his first 10 attempts for 122 yards. Chicago scored touchdowns on its opening 2 possessions to move ahead 14-0.

The Bears stretched that advantage to 31-7 early in the fourth quarter. Atlanta then scored 2 touchdowns and added a 2-point conversion following each score. Those possessions brought the Falcons within 8 points and restored pressure on Chicago's defense.

Kyler Gordon delivered the decisive response in his first appearance of the season. He stripped Michael Penix Jr. on a sack, and Devin Bush recovered at Atlanta's 28-yard line with 2:54 remaining.

Chicago preserved the road victory and improved to 4-2.

Official game highlights

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Game stats

Statistic	Chicago Bears	Atlanta Falcons
First downs	20	13
Total yards	368	257
Net passing yards	270	194
Rushing yards	98	63
Yards per play	5.0	5.1
Third-down conversions	9-17	3-12
Fourth-down conversions	0-0	0-3
Red-zone conversions	4-5	3-3
Turnovers	1	3
Penalties–yards	12-133	4-31
Time of possession	40:08	19:52

Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons — NFL Game Analysis

Chicago Bears defeated Atlanta Falcons 31–23, a 8-point margin. Chicago Bears led in total offense, 368 to 257. Chicago Bears led in rushing yards, 98 to 63. Chicago Bears committed fewer turnovers, 1 to 3. Chicago Bears converted 9 of 17 third downs; Atlanta Falcons converted 3 of 12.

Based on the recorded score and available team statistics. Source: ESPN game file.

Lineup

These are the players credited on the game file. That file does not list a starting lineup or positions.

Chicago Bears

Passing

#18Caleb Williams

Rushing

#23Roschon Johnson
#4D'Andre Swift
#18Caleb Williams

Receiving

#10Luther Burden III
#84Colston Loveland
#15Rome Odunze
#23Roschon Johnson
#4D'Andre Swift
#13Zavion Thomas
#14Kalif Raymond
#85Cole Kmet

Defense

#12Devin Bush
#44Noah Sewell
#6Kyler Gordon
#39Josh Blackwell
#22Elijah Hicks
#21Cam Lewis
#94Austin Booker
#92Daniel Hardy
#30Zavier Scott
#31Dillon Thieneman
#57Jack Sanborn
#47Buddy Johnson
#93Kentavius Street
#48D'Marco Jackson
#1Jaylon Johnson
#20Clark Phillips III
#95Shemar Turner
#24Malik Muhammad II
#97James Lynch

Atlanta Falcons

Passing

#9Michael Penix Jr.

Rushing

#7Bijan Robinson
#9Michael Penix Jr.
#15Brian Robinson Jr.

Receiving

#4Jahan Dotson
#5Drake London
#8Kyle Pitts Sr.
#15Brian Robinson Jr.
#17Zachariah Branch
#81Austin Hooper
#14Olamide Zaccheaus
#7Bijan Robinson

Defense

#53Kendal Daniels
#21Mike Hughes
#3Jessie Bates III
#29Sydney Brown
#12Avieon Terrell
#94LaCale London
#42Josh Woods
#56Harold Perkins Jr.
#95Gervon Dexter Sr.
#0Divine Deablo
#51Jared Ivey
#52Samson Ebukam
#31Xavier Watts
#92Maason Smith
#23DeMarcco Hellams
#54Brandon Dorlus
#96Zach Harrison
#28Mike Ford Jr.
#19Chris Blair
#34Jammie Robinson
#55Za'Darius Smith
#33Billy Bowman Jr.
#65Matthew Bergeron
#87Nick Muse
#99Cameron Thomas

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