The Chicago Bears took on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8 on “Monday Night Football,” and they emerged with a historic victory. That marks back-to-back wins over the two teams that played in the Super Bowl last season. They defeated the New England Patriots in Week 7 on “Thursday Night Football,” notching a 30-24 win at home.
On Monday night, to end Week 8, they made NFL history.
“The @ChicagoBears are the first team in NFL history to beat both Super Bowl participants from the previous season in primetime in back-to-back games,” OptaSTATS posted on X on November 2.
It was a tremendous debut for blockbuster trade deadline pickup Jeffery Simmons, and for the Bears in general on both sides of the ball.
Simmons tied for the team lead with 6 total tackles and officially had 1.0 sack.
However, he was seemingly ever-present as he impacted several other players, setting his teammates up to finish. Former college and new Bears teammate Montez Sweat also finished with 1.0 sack, but should have had another.
Penalties on the back end negated some of their big plays, including an interception by Cam Lewis that Clark Phillips wiped away with a defensive holding call.
Jeffery Simmons, Bears Get Historic Win Over Seahawks on ‘Monday Night Football’
Bears Notch Historic Victory vs. Seahawks in Jeffery Simmons’ Debut
Caleb Williams logged the first 200-yard passing game against the Seahawks this year. He finished with 247 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions on 70.6% completion, absorbing 1 sack on Monday night.
This came against what was the NFL’s best defense overall and the third-best unit in terms of preventing the other team from scoring.
The Bears also got 69 yards and 3 touchdowns, albeit on 27 carries, from D’Andre Swift.
They got a sack from Devin Bush, and an interception from defensive lineman James Lynch in their statement win. Austin Booker deflected the pass that Lynch intercepted, and the Bears showed a revamped approach to play-calling under DC Dennis Allen with Simmons in tow.
Their blitz rate dropped precipitously, a trend that could continue if what they saw from Simmons was what they will get going forward, and there is no reason to believe it isn’t.
Bears Could Hear From NFL
Bears head coach Ben Johnson lamented the penalties his team were called for in the win, but they could see the NFL take action over a play that was not called, too.
Linebacker Devin Bush delivered a big hit on quarterback Sam Darnold as the latter slid after a scramble on third-and-8. Officials did not flag the play, but it certainly drew strong commentary from the broadcast team in real time.
He could face a fine up to $11,941 for a late hit or even $17,911 for a hit on a defenseless player.
Both are the standard amounts for first-time offenses, per the NFL. The latter would be a strike toward a one-game suspension under revised league rules announced in August.
The Bears could also hear from the league over a pair of plays that were called during the game, specifically against Grady Jarrett and Booker. Both infractions negated big plays for the Bears.
The first came in the first quarter on a first-and-10 from the Seahawks 20-yard line.
Simmons sacked Darnold. Unfortunately for the Bears, officials flagged Jarrett for a face mask that gifted the Seahawks 15 yards and a fresh set of downs.
That drive ended in a punt, though. Jarrett faces the prospects of an $11,941 fine for his infraction. That is if the NFL decides to take action, which is not guaranteed in their weekly review process.
The other obvious potential fine for a called penalty was in the fourth quarter.
Darnold’s pass attempt on a first-and-10 from the Seattle 24 fell incomplete, but officials flagged Booker for roughing the passer. Fines for that can be as high as $17,911.
Bears Injury Watch
The Bears announced a pair of injury updates during the game. Kentavius Street exited the contest after suffering a knee injury and Jarret unable to finish due to a groin issue.
There was also a point at which Booker checked himself out late.
The Bears are already dealing with various injuries, still without Coby Bryant, Kyle Monangai, and Cole Kmet. Kmet is out for the season. Rookie Malik Muhammad also missed this contest with a toe injury.
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