Bears Overpower Chiefs 34-21 to Cap Perfect Preseason
The Chicago Bears capped off a flawless preseason with a 4-0 record after a commanding 34-21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night. The Bears surged to a 34-7 lead before easing to victory, though the night wasn’t without its challenges, as they suffered some significant injuries.
This win marked a stark contrast to the Bears’ previous experience in Kansas City last September, leaving them with a renewed sense of confidence as they head into the regular season.
Both teams opted to play their reserves throughout the game, but it was the Bears who dominated, showcasing their depth and intensity. While the perfect preseason record is ultimately meaningless in terms of standings, the performance of the players has given the coaching staff plenty to think about as they approach Wednesday’s roster cut deadline.
“I thought the guys performed tonight like they’ve performed all throughout, not only in the games, but in the practices,” said head coach Matt Eberflus. “What you see in the games is what you see in practice every single day out there.”
One of the standout performers was Velus Jones Jr., who electrified with a 39-yard touchdown run, weaving through defenders on a toss play. Jones, in the midst of transitioning from wide receiver to a versatile back, led the Bears’ rushing attack with 111 yards on 13 carries, part of a 164-yard ground game.
“So some really good performances by a couple of guys,” Eberflus added. “Velus Jones had a couple of nice breakout runs, but he doesn’t do that without his offensive line and perimeter blocking. Obviously, Velus is very fast and was able to turn it into a touchdown.”
Wide receiver Tyler Scott also made a strong case for himself, hauling in six receptions for 99 yards. Meanwhile, the Bears’ defense set the tone early, helping the team to a 34-7 lead before the Chiefs managed to narrow the gap late in the fourth quarter.
Although the pass rush remains a concern, the Bears’ defense still made key plays. Safety Adrian Tolbert’s blitz forced a wild throw from Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun, which was intercepted by Reddy Steward and returned 48 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bears a 20-7 halftime lead. Steward also prevented a Chiefs touchdown with another interception later in the game.
On the offensive side, quarterback Tyson Bagent contributed with a diving 5-yard touchdown run, and kicker Cairo Santos added field goals from 32 and 37 yards. Austin Reed took over in the second half, leading a 92-yard drive capped by a 6-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Sweeney. Jones then broke free for his long touchdown run, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Douglass Coleman III was stretchered off the field at Arrowhead Stadium after experiencing a scary injuryhttps://t.co/2XhGE6PzS0
— Bears Talk (@NBCSBears) August 23, 2024
As the Bears prepare for final roster decisions, defensive end remains a particularly tough spot, with Daniel Hardy, Austin Booker, and Khalid Kareem all outperforming 2022 fifth-round pick Dominique Robinson throughout the preseason.
Velus Jones with an explosive TD run.
Should Velus make the 53? #DaBears #Bears #ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/VOPGnY2w5P
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) August 23, 2024
Quarterback decisions also loom large. Brett Rypien made a strong case to remain as the third-string quarterback, completing 9 of 13 passes for 106 yards, while Reed was 8 of 10 for 63 yards and a touchdown. Bagent, who was 3 of 6 for 56 yards, also drew praise from Eberflus.
“Bagent’s been good,” Eberflus noted. “I think the training of all those quarterbacks—when you think about [quarterbacks coach] Kerry Joseph and [offensive coordinator] Shane Waldron—the whole group has done a really good job getting these guys ready in a new system.”
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