Bears vs. Titans: 10 crazy stats from Chicago's epic comeback win (2024)

That was quite the start for the Chicago Bears to the 2024 NFL season, where the term rollercoaster doesn't feel fitting enough to describe the whirlwind that was a 24-17 comeback win over the Tennessee Titans Sunday at Soldier Field.

There was plenty left to be desired from this team, most notably on offense with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and company not finding any rhythm throughout the game. After a rough first half, where they trailed 17-3 at halftime, the team responded with strong defensive and special teams outings, holding Tennessee scoreless in the second half, notching three fourth-quarter takeaways and both the defense and special teams each scored a touchdown.

It shouldn't be a surprise that there were many stats and records made with a win like this, but here are 10 crazy stats from the Bears' Week 1 win vs. the Titans.

First time since 2006 that two teams won without scoring an offensive touchdown

The Bears moved on from Justin Fields to usher in the new era with Caleb Williams at quarterback and neither found success to open the 2024 season. Fields, who replaced the injured Russell Wilson and started for the Pittsburgh Steelers, led them to a win over the Atlanta Falcons without finding the endzone. Although he wasn't expected to start for his new team, Fields could help the Bears upgrade their 2025 draft pick trade, if he plays 51% of the snaps the Bears will get a fourth-round pick instead of a previously agreed to sixth-round. Not leading the team will hurt Fields' chances to keep the starting job, especially if and when Wilson is fully recovered. Williams has lofty expectations and, while at the end of the day the Bears won, he'll have to put together a much better showing moving forward for fans to believe he's the answer for long-term success at quarterback.

Caleb Williams became first Bears QB to start and finish a game with less than 100 yards since Rex Grossman

A win is a win at the end of the day, and while fans want to see Williams become the superstar quarterback the Bears desperately need, they'll also be happy if the team keeps winning. Despite his very lackluster NFL debut, Williams joined former Bears quarterback Rex Grossman as quarterbacks to win a game despite throwing for less than 100 yards total. When Grossman did it in 2006 against the Minnesota Vikings, he went 6-of-19 passing for a total of 34 yards, with three interceptions. The Bears were led to victory by a Cedric Benson rushing touchdown, Devin Hester punt return for a touchdown, and Ricky Manning pick-six. For Williams, it was a blocked punt returned by Jonathan Owens, a Tyrique Stevenson pick-six, and 10 points from Cairo Santos.

Velus Jones Jr. lost the third fumble of his career

After being a featured player on "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears" and earning his spot on the 53-man roster following a position switch, Velus Jones Jr.'s struggles struck once again. He rushed the ball twice for 11 yards and had one catch on offense, but muffing a kick return in the first half led to a massive momentum switch in favor of the Titans and three points. Unfortunately for Jones, the lost fumbles are become a big factor in his young career with this being the third he has lost since entering the league.

Caleb Williams' passer rating was the 11th-worst for a No. 1 QB in debut since 1970

The first start of Williams' NFL career will have records that most hope will be forgotten. A 55.7 passer rating is atrocious and there's no other way to describe it. An easy way to flip the narrative is that the names in which Williams was better than, all have Super Bowl championships. The continued way to look at Williams' place in history after one game is that he finds himself among company that had relatively good success in their respective careers.

DeAndre Carter's 66-yard kickoff return was the Bears' longest since 2020

DeAndre Carter's 66-yard kickoff return flipped the energy at Soldier Field that was pretty much lifeless after the Titans punched the Bears in the mouth in the first half. Given the new kickoff rules and the introduction of the "dynamic kickoff" rules in place this season, opportunities the past few seasons have been few and far between. Carter's impact was felt greatly and while he may not always get the chance to break one, he definitely reminded the fans of a special teams impact that is well-known through this franchise.

Bears become first team since 2020 to win a game without 150 yards of offense

Defense and special teams carried this victory, there's no other way to state it. Not many teams have had the success from that side of the ball throughout this past century with only 20 teams having won without eclipsing 150 yards of offense. Even more ironic about this stat is that the Bears also had a touchdown on both special teams and defense just like the last team to do so, the Miami Dolphins.

Caleb Williams becomes first No. QB to win in starting debut since 2002

History has not been kind to No. 1 quarterbacks over the last 20+ years, with only David Carr picking up a win as the top pick quarterback. Williams and Bears fans don't want to remember much from his NFL debut, but getting the comeback win will be remembered. For Williams, who admitted to the media that he knows he has to play better and vows to do so, he was able to breakthrough unsuccessful history for players at his position drafted as the top pick.

Bears become first team in NFL history to win a game where they trailed by at least 17 points and head fewer than 150 total yards

There are many angles to discuss how bad the offense was and while all the aforementioned stats make note of it, the defense and special teams should just as much be a positive narrative as the offense was the negative. In 2024, there may not be moments in which Williams and the offense can be carried, and bailed out, by defense and special teams. This should come as a wakeup call to Shane Waldron and his players that they will need to be worlds above their production against Tennessee if they want to be successful and be considered a threat to opponents.

Caleb Williams becomes first Bears rookie QB to win a season opener since 1950

Getting a win in his debut was not only huge for the team's success, but the Bears history as well. Finding his name in history as the first rookie quarterback to win the season opener since at least 1950 speaks to the franchise's woes at the position but also comes with the asterisk of his poor performance. Every victory matters in terms of team's success, and while they're certainly happy to get off to a good start, here's hoping that Williams and the offense leave more of a stamp in future wins.

Cairo Santos has the third-most 50-plus-yard field goals made in franchise history

After Robbie Gould etched himself in franchise history throughout his 10+ years as the team's most successful kicker, it's hard for fans to jump on the bandwagon of Santos. Making his mark with third place in franchise history with 14 makes of 50 or longer field goals made during his tenure as a Bear. Back in 2017, Santos only had two games played with the team, and found his way back to Chicago in 2020. For the past four-years he has been a staple and consistent part of the team, no matter the record. Santos etching his place in the team's record book should give him more deserving credit than what he gets. While the offense has growing pains and the defense carried to a victory, Santos has continuously been consistent and among one of the best kickers in the NFL.