With just over a minute left in the first half at Soldier Field, the Bears finally grabbed their first lead of the game - but it didn’t last long.
Cairo Santos drilled a 48-yard field goal to put Chicago ahead 10-7 with 1:10 remaining before halftime. It was a moment that seemed to swing momentum in the Bears’ favor, but Matthew Stafford and the Rams had other plans.
Stafford quickly connected with tight end Tyler Higbee and running back Kyren Williams to push the Rams into field goal range. Though Stafford took three shots at the end zone - all incomplete - the Rams still came away with points as rookie kicker Harrison Mevis knocked one through to tie things up at 10 heading into the break.
The Bears’ offense showed flashes of rhythm in the first half, but they also left points on the table. Two promising drives into Rams territory ended empty-handed.
On the opening possession, Chicago rolled the dice on fourth down, only for Williams to be intercepted. Later, back-to-back runs by D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai were stuffed, giving the Rams another fourth-down stop.
But not every fourth down went against the Bears. Williams bounced back by connecting with DJ Moore for a touchdown on a gutsy fourth-down play - a reminder of the kind of chemistry that can make this offense dangerous when it’s clicking. Williams finished the half 13-of-19 for 155 yards, showing poise despite the early turnover.
Defensively, the Bears came to play. After giving up a touchdown drive following Cobie Durant’s interception, Chicago’s defense settled in.
They pressured Stafford consistently, racking up three sacks in the first half and forcing the Rams to punt on their final three possessions. Stafford finished the half 12-of-24 for 144 yards, and while he had some success early, the Bears’ pass rush clearly began to affect him as the half wore on.
The Rams also took a hit in the secondary, with cornerback Emmanuel Forbes leaving the game due to a shoulder injury. He’s officially listed as questionable to return, and with the Rams set to open the second half with possession, all eyes will be on whether he’s back out there - or if the Bears can take advantage of his absence.
Through two quarters, it’s a tight, physical battle with both teams showing flashes but struggling to finish drives. With the score knotted at 10, the second half is shaping up to be a grind - and whichever team can clean up its execution on third and fourth down may be the one walking out with the win.