DJ Moore Touts Caleb Williams’ 2nd Half in Bears’ Win Over Titans

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams acknowledged that he must play better ? and that he will ? after the Chicago Bears? 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. Williams completed 14-of-29 passes for 93 yards with 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. He did add 35 yards and 1 score on the ground, but the Bears will need him to be sharper through the air to be successful.

The good news is that Williams still led three scoring drives.

DJ Moore Touts Caleb Williams? Improvement in 2nd Half of Bears? Win

Caleb Williams Got in a Rhythm in Bears? Win

While that came amid six drives that ended in punts ? two-thirds of their possessions ? wide receiver DJ Moore says Williams improved in the second half.

?I wasn’t [in Williams? ear],? Moore told Clocker Sports when asked ahead of Wednesday?s practice if he was. ?Just let him grow. Grow through what he was going through, and it got better in the second half. That’s all you can ask.?

Moore also said that young quarterbacks need patience as they develop.

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Statistically, Williams was worse after halftime versus the Titans.

The No. 1 overall pick was 8-for-14 for 53 yards before the break. He went 3-for-10 for 27 yards in the third quarter.

To Moore?s point, though, Williams was 3-for-5 in the final frame, though yardage continued to be an issue with 13 yards through the air. Williams also picked up his 15 rushing yards in the second half, which may have contributed to his settling down late.

Williams missed five straight passes at one point in the third quarter.

He finished the game having completed five of his final seven passes; seven of his last eight if the 2-point conversion to D?Andre Swift is included.

Tyrique Stevenson Reacts to Gervon Dexter?s Intimidation Block

Second-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was one of the stars in the win over Tennessee, scoring a pick-6 off DeMarcus Walker?s pressure on Titans QB Will Levis. Stevenson had a clear path in front of him.

He also had Gervon Dexter Sr. behind him, though the second-year defensive tackle did not have to do much to deter the pursuit.

?That was actually kind of funny,? Stevenson told Clocker Sports during his presser on Wednesday. ?We came to the sideline he was like, ?Riq, I threw a block!? And we get back and look at film, ?You didn’t throw no block. You stood like a bouncer.? But definitely something we worked on. Anybody pick up the ball, catch a pick, anything it?s a instantaneous reaction. And that?s go find the nearest person to block them. So I appreciate them guys.?

It was Stevenson?s first pick-6 in his football career. Dexter also recorded a sack in the outing, underscoring the all-around effort of the defense.

DeMarcus Walker Not Surprised by Andrew Billings

Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings played nose tackle in 2023. In 2024, he is playing a more versatile role and it showed in his activity in Week 1 as highlighted by The Athletic?s Kevin Fishbain.

Billings was credited with 2 tackles and 2 hits on the quarterback. He also induced a Titans false start with voice inflection, something he did to the Bears offense during training camp.

Billings? quickness may be a surprise to those looking on from the outside in.

But it is not surprising to his teammates like Walker who also spoke about playing the increased chemistry along the defensive front.

?Y’all expect [Billings to move like a nose tackle]. I’ve been seeing Bill,? Walker told Clocker Sports on Wednesday. ?We just continue to grow as a D-line. To have the majority of the guys back from last year, obviously, that chemistry had no other choice but to go up.?

Bears List 3 Players as DNP

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus announced ahead of Wednesday?s session that wide receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (MCL) would not practice, leaving Williams without two of his top three targets at the position. However, Walker was also a non-participant.

He showed up on the week’s first injury report with a foot issue.

Fullback Khari Blasingame and offensive linemen Kiran Amegadjie and Ryan Bates were limited, as was defensive tackle Zacch Pickens.

Pickens had been sidelined since the final week of training camp and missed the season opener with a groin issue. His return would mitigate the potential loss of Walker for the week versus the Houston Texans, or at least help reduce the veteran?s workload.