The Chicago Bears are about to host their maiden home preseason game of the year this Saturday.
The Bears will take on the Cincinnati Bengals at noon and will be led by Joe Burrow at Soldier Field. The two teams participated in joint practices to get them ready for this matchup earlier this week.
Caleb Williams, the No. 1 draft pick, demonstrated his ability to perform with the Bears in last week’s preseason opener.
Williams led two drives that ended in field goals in the match that gave Chicago’s 33-6 victory against the Buffalo Bills. Williams, 22, is from Southern California and has completed four of seven passes for 95 yards and managed a crucial 13-yard run on a third-and-9 play. Williams assisted the Chicago Bears to get 152 yards and seven first downs over two possessions, despite a near-interception that was nullified by a penalty.
The result was decided at the moment that came early in the fourth quarter when Bears linebacker Micah Baskerville blocked a pass from Shane Buechele intended for Frank Gore Jr. and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown, extending Chicago’s win to 19-6.
Velus Jones included a 4-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, and Ian Wheeler scored on runs of 7 and 8 yards in the final six minutes.
Josh Allen played only the first quarter for the Bills, completing 2 of 3 passes for 22 yards and adding a 7-yard run. Backup Mitch Trubisky took over in the second quarter, and Tyler Bass contributed with a 24-yard field goal to reduce Chicago’s lead to 6-3, later hitting a 49-yard attempt.
Buffalo struggled offensively, totaling just 200 yards and crossing midfield only twice in 11 possessions. Ed Oliver also injured his leg during Chicago’s first offensive series and did not return; the team is yet to provide an update on his well-being, whether he has recovered or not.