Bears Beat Falcons, Box Score Stats, Highlights for Caleb Williams, Penix, Bijan, Top Players

The Chicago Bears defeated the Atlanta Falcons with a 31-23 on Sunday in Caleb Williams' first game back since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 2.

The Bears were 1.5-point favorites over the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

They exceeded expectations before Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons attempted a fourth-quarter comeback, scoring 16 unanswered points.

Williams stepped in his return, converting 9-of-17 third downs in the win after being sidelined for three games. He looked to be in good shape Sunday, finishing with 305 yards, completing 83 percent of his passes.

Passing
Notable Fantasy Players	C/ATT	YD2S	TD	INT
Caleb Williams, CHI	30/36	305	1	0
Michael Penix Jr., ATL	19/33	225	3	0
Rushing
Notable Fantasy Players	CAR	YDS	TD
D’Andre Swift, CHI	16	44	2
Roschon Johnson, CHI	13	51	1
Bijan Robinson, ATL	9	61	0
Receiving
Notable Fantasy Players	REC	YDS	TD	TGTS
Luther Burden III, CHI	8	95	0	8
Colston Loveland, CHI	6	65	1	7
Rome Odunze, CHI	3	39	0	4
Kyle Pitts Sr., ATL	5	60	2	7
Jahan Dotson, ATL	3	87	1	5
Drake London, ATL	4	62	0	10

NFC North Standings 

1. MIN: 5-0 (OVR), 4-0 (CONF) 

2. CHI: 4-2 (OVR), 2-2 (CONF)

3. GB: 3-2 (OVR), 2-2 (CONF) 

4. DET: 3-2 (OVR), 2-1 (CONF) 

NFC South Standings 

1. CAR: 2-2 (OVR), 2-1 (CONF)

2. ATL: 2-4 (OVR), 2-1 (CONF) 

3. TB: 1-4 (OVR), 1-2 (CONF) 

4. NO: 1-4 (OVR), 0-3 (CONF)

Chicago scored on both of its first-quarter possessions while holding Atlanta to one three-and-out. 

Williams connected with tight end Colston Loveland for a 14-yard pass before D'Andre Swift rushed for a 4-yard touchdown, giving the Bears a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.

Despite a missed 56-yard field goal, Chicago maintained its lead into halftime, 21-7, holding Atlanta to one touchdown as Penix Jr. found Jahan Dotson for a score.

A muffed punt by Atlanta's Zachariah Branch was recovered at the Falcons' 10-yard line, and the Bears turned a three-play drive into Swift's second touchdown of the day before halftime.

Chicago added another rushing touchdown out of halftime, with Roschon Johnson finding the end zone as Atlanta's struggles continued. 

The Falcons turned the ball over on downs before Branch fumbled another punt, closing out the third quarter trailing 28-7.

Atlanta found its rhythm in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 straight points to make it a one-score game.

Kyle Pitts Sr. caught a pass from Penix before finding Branch for the two-point conversion. A Chicago fumble then led to another Falcons touchdown, with Penix Jr. and Pitts Sr. running it back. Penix Jr. found Drake London for another successful two-point conversion.

The Falcons had a chance to march down the field and tie the game after retaking possession with under four minutes remaining, but Penix Jr. was sacked and fumbled, effectively ending the game.

The Bears will be back in action Thursday when they host the New England Patriots, while Atlanta will host the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.