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Old 11-25-2024, 01:40 PM   #6
cwadley
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Re: Chicago Bears Make Bold Move: Matt Eberflus Out, Dan Carter In as New Head Coach

Chicago Bears Start Preseason Strong with 17-7 Victory Over Buffalo Bills

August 10, 2024 – Orchard Park, NY

The Chicago Bears opened their preseason schedule with a convincing 17-7 win over the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. It was a promising debut for new head coach Dan Carter, who saw his team excel on both sides of the ball in his first game at the helm. However, the victory came at a cost, as newly signed center Connor Williams suffered a torn labrum and is expected to miss five weeks.

Offensive Efficiency Led by Caleb Williams
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, delivered an impressive performance in limited action. Williams completed 7 of 8 passes for 74 yards, including a perfectly placed 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver D.J. Moore late in the first quarter. The chemistry between the two was evident, giving Bears fans a glimpse of what this duo could achieve during the regular season.

Brett Rypien and Tyson Bagent also saw time under center, with Rypien throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis in the fourth quarter. Collectively, the Bears’ quarterbacks completed 28 of 34 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns without committing a turnover.

Connor Williams’ injury in the first half forced a shuffle along the offensive line. The Bears turned to their younger linemen, who performed admirably under the circumstances. Still, the team will need to adjust quickly to fill the void at center.

Defensive Dominance
The Bears’ defense set the tone early and consistently pressured Buffalo’s quarterbacks. Chicago racked up four sacks, including one from rookie defensive tackle Zacch Pickens, who continues to build on an impressive training camp. Tremaine Edmunds anchored the defense against his former team, showcasing strong leadership and versatility in the middle of the field.

Cornerback Greg Stroman recorded the game’s lone interception, a highlight in a dominant defensive effort that limited the Bills to just 175 total yards. The pass rush, led by Montez Sweat and Charles Omenihu, repeatedly disrupted Buffalo’s offense, forcing quick decisions from their quarterbacks.

Buffalo’s only scoring drive came late in the fourth quarter, with former Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky connecting with Mack Hollins on a 5-yard touchdown pass.

Special Teams Notes
Veteran kicker Cairo Santos had a shaky outing, going 1-for-3 on field goal attempts. His lone success was a 33-yarder in the fourth quarter that extended the Bears’ lead to 10 points. Meanwhile, rookie punter Tory Taylor, a late-round draft pick, impressed in his debut. Taylor averaged 41.3 yards per punt and pinned the Bills inside their 20-yard line twice, showcasing both power and precision.

Notable Performances
- D.J. Moore (CHI): 2 receptions, 48 yards, 1 touchdown
- Dante Pettis (CHI): 2 receptions, 11 yards, 1 touchdown
- Caleb Williams (CHI): 7/8 passing, 74 yards, 1 touchdown, 144.7 passer rating
- Mitchell Trubisky (BUF): 12/24 passing, 110 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception

Pregame Players to Watch Deliver
Wide receiver Rome Odunze, highlighted as a player to watch, made his presence felt with three catches for 42 yards. On defense, rookie defensive tackle Gervon Dexter showed flashes of his potential, generating interior pressure and setting the tone for the defensive line.

Looking Ahead
The Bears will look to build on this strong start when they host the Cincinnati Bengals next Saturday. For Coach Carter, the focus will be on continuing to evaluate the roster and finding solutions to replace Connor Williams at center. Despite the injury, this game showcased the team’s depth and discipline, hallmarks of Carter’s early tenure.

Bears fans have reason to be optimistic after this promising start, as the team displayed the energy, preparation, and potential needed to succeed in the regular season.

Box Score: https://neonsportz.com/leagues/BH/games/3750750
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