The day Chicago Bears fans have been waiting for since May finally arrived on Sunday, as the team’s first round quarterback Justin Fields was set to take over the offense against the Cleveland Browns. Fields got some game action due to the injury to starting quarterback Andy Dalton the previous week, but failed to record a touchdown and threw one interception.
The Cleveland Browns would provide no easy matchup for the rookie. The dual-threat of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt is one of the best running back tandems in the league, while former first overall picks Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney wreak havoc on the defensive line.
The Bears defense made their presence known early, converting two consecutive fourth-and-short stops on the first two Browns drives of the game, the first stop courtesy of half sacks from Robert Quinn and Angelo Blackson and the second a sack from Chicago’s defensive cornerstone Khalil Mack. However, the only offense could only muster three points and one first down, taking the lead on a 47-yard kick from Cairo Santos.
The now Justin Fields-led Bears offense continued to struggle for the entirety of the first half, recording 41 total yards and just two first downs. The offensive line could not handle the pass rushers of the Browns, allowing 4 sacks, including two to former first overall pick Myles Garrett. Fields only attempted 4 passes, completing 3 for 29 yards, and added one carry for 7 yards.
Cleveland continuously pushed the ball into Bears’ territory for the majority of the half despite putting up just 10 points, recording 224 yards of offense. The majority of those came on their final drive of the half, where Mayfield and the offense cooked up a 12 play, 89-yard drive concluding in a 13-yard touchdown to tight end Austin Hooper. Mayfield went into the locker room with 166 yards passing, and running back, Kareem Hunt tallied 75 total yards. Along with a 57-yard field goal boot from rookie kicker Chase McLoughlin, the Browns took a 10-3 lead over the Bears heading into halftime.
The defenses continued to apply pressure to both quarterbacks in the third quarter. Khalil Mack recorded his second sack of the game, halting a threatening opening drive for the Browns, who had to settle for another field goal from McLoughlin. Cleveland’s defensive line continued to pressure the young Bear’s starting quarterback, recording two sacks on the Bears’ first two drives to force punts, including Garrett’s second of the game.
The Bears’ third drive of the game made up their longest of the game, aided by a costly pass interference penalty that nullified an interception and took the Bears from their own 40 to the Cleveland 12 yard line—nullified an interception. On the drive, Fields recorded 29 yards through the air, but lost his footing and took the Browns’ seventh sack of the game from safety Rodney Harrison. The 9 play, 65-yard drive was stuffed in the red area, and the Bears were forced to settle for a 22-year Santos field goal.
Cleveland immediately responded on the ensuing possession, capping off a 6 play, 75 yard drive with a 29 yard touchdown scamper from Hunt on third down, pushing the Browns’ lead to 20-6. In the game, Hunt recorded over 150 all-purpose yards, including 81 on the ground and 74 through the air on six receptions.
Their offense never looked back. They finished the game with 418 total yards of offense, and the duo of Nick Chubb and Hunt chewed up a combined 206 yards on the ground. Mayfield ended the contest with 246 yards and touchdown, and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., playing in his first game since tearing his ACL in 2020, finished the game with 5 catches for 77 yards. Chase McLoughlin also continued an impressive showing in the kicking game, converting all 4 of his field goals, two of which over 50 yards.
The Bears offense continued to struggle in all aspects. They recorded just 47 total yards of offense the entire game and failed to find the end zone. Fields never settled into the pocket and continued to feel the Browns pressure all game, going down to the turf 9 times, including 4.5 sacks from Myles Garrett alone – a Browns franchise record. Fields finished the game 6-20 for 67 yards and had just 12 yards on the ground. The Bears’ major playmakers were also stifled, with running back Montgomery tallying just 55 total yards and wide receiver Allen Robinson catching two passes for 27 yards.
Despite the hype surrounding their future franchise quarterback’s first career NFL start, the Chicago Bears were dominated in all facets of the game by a supremely talented Cleveland Browns’ roster, losing 26-6.
Next week, the Bears will head home to face division rival Detroit Lions, and the Browns will head to Minnesota to take on the Vikings.
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