NFL Week 17 Game Recap: Chicago Bears 37, Atlanta Falcons 17

The Chicago Bears comfortably took down the Atlanta Falcons 37-17 to move to 7-9 on the year.

The Bears opened the scoring on their opening drive. Justin Fields found DJ Moore for a seven-yard touchdown. Their second drive found the end zone too, as Fields rushed in from nine yards out on the second play of the second quarter.

The Falcons answered back immediately though. Tyler Allgeier takes a Taylor Heinicke pass 75 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-7. Chicago got on the board again though. Rookie Roschon Johnson capped a long drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown to make it 21-7 at halftime.

Cairo Santos converted a 22-yard field goal to cap the opening drive of the second half for the Bears before the Falcons matched that with a 38-yard field goal from Younghoe Koo. Santos then converted a 42-yard field goal to make the score 27-10 entering the fourth quarter.

A 24-yard rushing touchdown from Heinicke made it 27-17 early in the fourth quarter, but the Bears responded with another Santos field goal, again from 42 yards out to make it 30-17. They would make it 37-17 shortly after, taking advantage of a turnover and scoring on Khalil Herbert‘s one-yard run.

Offensive spotlight: This was the type of game those who want to see the Bears stick with Justin Fields instead of drafting his replacement with the first overall pick in next April’s NFL draft will point to throughout the offseason. Fields went 20-for-32 for 268 yards and a touchdown while adding 45 yards on 11 carries. It wasn’t perfect, but he made plays throughout the game and has formed a nice partnership with wide receiver DJ Moore, who had 159 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions Sunday.

Defensive spotlight: Two additions by the Bears this offseason came away with turnovers in the win today. Linebacker T.J. Edwards, who signed as a free agent in early March, intercepted Heinicke late in the first half while rookie Tyrique Stevenson picked him off late in the third quarter and then again late in the fourth quarter. Heinicke’s other interception came at the hands of second-year cornerback Kyler Gordon.

Rookie spotlight: Running back Bijan Robinson had a solid game, carrying the ball 15 times for 75 yards and adding another 11 yards on three receptions. He was outpointed in fantasy football by his backup at Texas Roschon Johnson though. The Bears rookie picked up 21 yards and a touchdown on seven carries and added 38 yards on three receptions.

Box Score

Passing

Rushing

Receiving