These 3 Bears earned game balls in Week 1’s win over Titans

The Chicago Bears kicked off the Caleb Williams era with a 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans, though it wasn’t exactly how Bears fans hoped. Williams is a rookie, and he faced a loaded defensive front, but even with all that context, he still looked atrocious. The only positive thing about his performance is that he didn’t turn the ball over.

Still, a win is a win, and three Bears players deserve praise for their effort in Chicago’s victory.

Darrell Taylor

In his debut as a Chicago Bear, former Seahawk Darrell Taylor provided a huge spark when he strip-sacked Will Levis at a critical moment in the game. He had one additional sack on top of two tackles for loss and two QB hits. It’s only been one week, and he’s already proving to be well worth the draft capital GM Ryan Poles gave up to acquire him.

I can’t get over Darrell Taylor getting the sack and forcing the fumble, then just slowly walking off the field like nothing happened pic.twitter.com/9booVXQAR2

— Jake Knows Ball ?? (@DaBears_26) September 8, 2024

Jonathan Owens

Another player making his debut as a Bear gets this second game ball. On a blocked punt midway through the third quarter, with Chicago trailing 17-3, Owens scooped up the ball and ran it to the endzone for Chicago’s first touchdown of the 2024 season. This gave the entire team the shot in the arm it needed to run up 21 unanswered points.

BLOCKED PUNT ALERT @jjowens_3 scoops it up for the TD! pic.twitter.com/242IxZrs8c

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 8, 2024

Gervon Dexter Sr.

All offseason, Dexter has been identified as an X-factor for this team. If he continues his mini-breakout over the second half of last season, the logic goes, then this Bears’ defense would likely be one of the very best in the league. Well, one week into the season, things are looking good for the second-year defensive tackle.

Dexter was a menace all afternoon, collapsing pockets and finishing with one sack, two QB hits, and a tackle for loss.

#Bears DT Gervon Dexter Sr gets his first sack of the season. pic.twitter.com/8DAqfwwXaJ

— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) September 8, 2024

Honorable Mentions

Tyrique Stevenson for his pick-six in the fourth quarter to take the lead, and Jaylon Johnson for his game-sealing interception with a minute left in the game.