CINCINNATI — The Bears got off to a rough start against the Bengals and trail 20-17 at halftime.
They fell behind when Bengals punt returner Charlie Jones ran the opening kickoff back 98 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The Bears’ offense responded with back-to-back touchdown drives, scoring first on a trick play on which wide receiver DJ Moore threw to quarterback Caleb Williams.
It was the first reception of Williams’ career and first completion by Moore.
The Bears followed up with a more conventional touchdown drive, ending on a shovel pass from Williams to Olamide Zaccheaus for a 15-yard score.
BLOCKED BY OSSAI
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— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 2, 2025
Williams has completed 12 of 22 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown for an 88.4 passer rating. Rookie running back Kyle Monangai, carrying the load with D’Andre Swift injured, has run 16 times for 100 yards.
The Bears had a chance to go into halftime with a lead when Cairo Santos put them ahead 17-13 with a 24-yard field goal with 1:30 left in the first half, but Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco quickly hit Tee Higgins for a 44-yard to touchdown to pull ahead again.
The Bears made it to the Bengals’ 29-yard line just before halftime, but Santos’ 47-yard field goal was blocked.
The Bears get the ball to begin the second half.
Here are the Bears’ inactives:
QB Case Keenum
RB D’Andre Swift (groin)
RB Roschon Johnson (back)
WR Luther Burden III (concussion)
LB Ruben Hyppolite
DE Dominique Robinson (ankle)
