The Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars went head-to-head in a tight, exciting matchup that saw both teams trading big plays, turnovers, and momentum swings. In the end, the Jaguars edged out the Bears 26–23, thanks to a last-minute field goal and some clutch performances.
While the final score was close, the player stats reveal a deeper story — from rising stars to veteran consistency, and a few missed chances along the way.
Let’s break down the key performances from both teams and see who stood out in this NFC vs. AFC clash.
Quarterbacks: Fields Flashes, Lawrence Leads
Justin Fields (Bears)
Fields had a solid performance, finishing 22-of-34 for 247 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He looked sharp early, connecting with D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet for some big gains. His legs were also a weapon, as he ran for 62 yards on 8 carries.
However, a late fourth-quarter interception stalled a potential game-winning drive, a mistake that cost the Bears in the end.
Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)
Lawrence showed why he’s the franchise leader in Jacksonville. He completed 25-of-37 passes for 279 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions. He was calm under pressure and made several big throws in the second half, including a 27-yard strike to Calvin Ridley that set up the winning field goal.
He also added 22 yards rushing, converting a key 3rd down with his legs.
Running Backs: Balanced Attacks on Both Sides
Khalil Herbert (Bears)
Herbert led the Bears’ ground game with 16 carries for 74 yards. He didn’t score, but consistently picked up 4–5 yards per run and kept the Jaguars’ defense honest. He also caught 2 passes for 13 yards.
Roschon Johnson (Bears)
The rookie back had limited touches but showed burst, running 5 times for 31 yards, including a 15-yard run in the second quarter that helped set up a touchdown.
Travis Etienne Jr. (Jaguars)
Etienne was steady if not spectacular, carrying the ball 18 times for 76 yards and catching 4 passes for 28 yards. His speed was noticeable, especially on outside runs. He broke off a 21-yard run that sparked a third-quarter scoring drive.
Tank Bigsby (Jaguars)
Used more in short-yardage situations, Bigsby had 6 carries for 20 yards, and one 1-yard touchdown plunge early in the game.
Wide Receivers: Moore and Ridley Show Out
D.J. Moore (Bears)
Moore was Fields’ top target once again, hauling in 7 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. He showed great hands and route running, and his 34-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter was one of the highlights of the game.
Darnell Mooney (Bears)
Mooney was quiet for most of the game but came alive late with 3 catches for 41 yards, including a clutch third-down grab in the fourth quarter.
Calvin Ridley (Jaguars)
Ridley had a great game, catching 8 passes for 104 yards, and nearly scored on a 27-yard catch where he was tackled just short of the goal line. His route-running gave the Bears’ secondary fits all night.
Christian Kirk (Jaguars)
Kirk added 5 receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown, including a beautiful over-the-shoulder grab in the back of the end zone during the third quarter.
Tight Ends: Big Targets in Key Moments
Cole Kmet (Bears)
Kmet caught 5 passes for 48 yards and 1 touchdown, continuing to be a reliable red zone target for Fields. His 9-yard touchdown in the first quarter gave the Bears an early lead.
Evan Engram (Jaguars)
Engram caught 6 passes for 52 yards, including a big 17-yard gain that helped keep a drive alive in the second half. While he didn’t score, he kept the chains moving and was a trusted outlet for Lawrence.
Defensive Playmakers: Who Made Game-Changing Plays?
Tremaine Edmunds (Bears)
Edmunds was flying all over the field, recording 11 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pass deflection. He was a key reason why Jacksonville didn’t break off more explosive plays.
Montez Sweat (Bears)
Sweat notched 2 tackles for loss, a sack, and several pressures. His pass rush disrupted Lawrence early, though the Jaguars adjusted in the second half.
Josh Allen (Jaguars)
The star pass rusher had another strong outing, finishing with 1.5 sacks, 4 tackles, and a forced fumble. His speed off the edge gave the Bears’ offensive line major problems.
Devin Lloyd (Jaguars)
Lloyd totaled 9 tackles and picked off Fields in the fourth quarter. That turnover killed a promising drive and helped shift the game in Jacksonville’s favor.
Special Teams and Kickers
Cairo Santos (Bears)
Santos went 3-for-3 on field goals, hitting from 32, 41, and 44 yards. He was perfect on extra points too, but never got a chance for a game-winner.
Brandon McManus (Jaguars)
McManus nailed the game-winner from 48 yards with 12 seconds left. He was also 2-for-2 on extra points and hit a 39-yarder earlier in the game.
Return Game
- Velus Jones Jr. (Bears) had a 35-yard kickoff return that helped spark a third-quarter drive.
- Jamal Agnew (Jaguars) had a 21-yard punt return that gave Jacksonville great field position early.
Team Stats Recap
- Final Score: Jaguars 26, Bears 23
- Total Yards: Jaguars – 378, Bears – 357
- First Downs: Jaguars – 23, Bears – 21
- Turnovers: Jaguars – 0, Bears – 1
- Time of Possession: Jaguars – 31:42, Bears – 28:18
Takeaways from the Game
The Jaguars pulled off a gutsy win at home and improved their playoff positioning in the AFC. Trevor Lawrence looked sharp and avoided turnovers, while the defense stepped up with a key interception late.
For the Bears, Justin Fields showed more growth as a passer and runner, but the costly late-game mistake proved decisive. D.J. Moore continues to shine, and the defense played well overall — but just couldn’t stop Jacksonville when it counted.
Both teams showed promise. The Jaguars look like they’re peaking at the right time, while the Bears will need to clean up their late-game execution if they want to finish the season strong.
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