The Bears are Bearly Holding it Together

Head coach Ben Johnson and Theo Benedet (79) of the Chicago Bears celebrate after beating the Las Vegas Raiders 25-24 at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Las Vegas. (PC: Chris Unger/Getty Images/TNS)

The Bears are now 2-2 going into their week 5 bye, after starting with a lackluster 0-2 record at the start of the season. Their two wins being a 1 point thriller over the Las Vegas Raiders and a 14-31 blowout against the Dallas Cowboys.

Caleb Williams threw for 212 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders, while star receiver Rome Odunze had 4 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. Late in the 4th quarter, running back D’Andre Swift gave the Bears the lead with a 2-yard touchdown and just over a minute left in the game.

The real stars of this game were the defense. The defense forced 4 total turnovers, 3 of them being interceptions from safety Kevin Byard III and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. The Raiders had one final shot to win the game with a 54 yard field goal, but it was blocked by Josh Blackwell to seal the deal for the Bears.

Looking at this team through the eyes of a fan, the defense is the heart of this Bears squad, even with the absence of cornerback Jaylon Johnson. For the Bears to really turn this season around and make a serious push, the defense needs to continue to play at this level; aggressive, opportunistic, and fundamentally sound.

Defense alone isn’t enough. Williams is promising, but consistency and protecting the football will be vital if they want to sustain this momentum. The offense needs to step up more in the red zone and avoid settling for field goals or leaving points off the board.

Ultimately, these last 2 games are likely to be a pivotal moment for the Bears. The rollercoaster hasn’t leveled out yet, but I’m cautiously optimistic. If they can ride this defensive wave and clean up their offensive execution, the Bears have a real shot to surprise a lot of people. This bye week will be crucial to regroup, refocus, and address the rough edges that still linger.

The Bears fate this season depends on maintaining their defensive dominance while finding a reliable offensive rhythm. It’s time to break the cycle of disappointment and prove to fans, and themselves, that this team is capable of more than just a fleeting moment of hope. The pieces are there, now it’s about putting it all together.

The Bears face Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders after the bye week.