Justin Fields helps balanced Bears knock off Falcons

Field Level Media|published: Sun 31st December, 16:35 2023

Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) passes in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field. credits: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Fields passed for 268 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 45 yards and a score to lift the host Chicago Bears to a 37-17 victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Chicago (7-9) relied on a balanced attack that outgained Atlanta 432-307 to win for the fourth time in the past five games. Khalil Herbert led the ground game, running 18 times for 124 yards and a touchdown.

The Falcons (7-9) lost for the third time in four games as their dim NFC playoff hopes took a hit.

Dealing with steady snowfall at the start of the game, the Falcons gained 43 yards on their first two plays to move comfortably into Chicago territory. Younghoe Koo's 50-yard field-goal attempt fell short, however, and the Bears took over.

Fields wasted little time guiding the Bears to the end zone, punctuating a nine-play, 65-yard scoring drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Moore. Moore snagged a 32-yard reception on Chicago's first play from scrimmage, setting the tone for a big afternoon — nine catches for 159 yards and a touchdown.

Atlanta moved the ball on its next possession but experienced a familiarly frustrating result, as Koo clanked a 42-yard field-goal attempt off the left upright.

Chicago capitalized again, covering 68 yards in nine plays and 4:03, culminating with a 9-yard Fields touchdown run.

Atlanta responded just 14 seconds later, as Tyler Allgeier took a Taylor Heinicke screen pass and scampered down the sideline for a 75-yard score for the Falcons' longest offensive touchdown of the season.

The Bears took a 21-7 lead into the half behind Roschon Johnson's 2-yard touchdown run with 4:02 left in the second quarter.

Cairo Santos connected on second-half field goals of 22, 42 and 42 yards to outpace the Falcons, who got a 38-yarder from Koo and a 24-yard scoring run from Heinicke after halftime.

Herbert's 1-yard touchdown run with 3:39 sealed Chicago's fifth straight win at Soldier Field.

Heinicke finished 10-for-29 passing for 163 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions before Desmond Ridder entered in relief late in the fourth quarter. Tyrique Stevenson picked Ridder for his second interception of the afternoon.

Bijan Robinson gained 75 yards on 15 carries for Atlanta.

—Field Level Media

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