Tennessee Titans vs Chicago Bears Match Player Stats

Hey there, football fans! If you’re anything like me, nothing gets the blood pumping quite like the start of a new NFL season. The air is crisp, the tailgates are firing up, and every team steps onto the field believing this could be their year. On September 8, 2024, we got a prime example of why we love this game: the Tennessee Titans vs Chicago Bears Match Player Stats at Soldier Field. What started as a dominant first half for the Titans turned into a heart-stopping comeback for the Bears, ending in a 24-17 victory for Chicago. It was a game full of turnovers, special teams magic, and defensive heroics that had everyone on the edge of their seats.

In this deep dive into the Tennessee Titans vs Chicago Bears match player stats, I’ll break it all down for you. We’ll look at the key performers, the numbers that mattered, and what it all means for the season ahead. Whether you’re a die-hard Titans fan licking your wounds or a Bears supporter still buzzing from the win, I’ve got you covered with easy-to-read tables, standout stories, and some friendly analysis. Let’s kick things off with a quick recap, then dive into those juicy player stats.

Game Recap: From Titans’ Domination to Bears’ Epic Rally

Picture this: The Titans, under new head coach Brian Callahan, come out swinging. They build a commanding 17-0 lead by halftime, thanks to a balanced attack and some early Bears miscues. Running back Tony Pollard is slicing through the defense like butter, and quarterback Will Levis looks sharp with a touchdown toss to tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo. The Bears’ offense, led by shiny new No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, struggles mightily—managing just 93 passing yards in the first half and facing constant pressure from Tennessee’s front seven.

But football’s a game of momentum, right? The second half flips the script. The Bears’ defense wakes up, forcing turnovers that lead to points. Special teams join the party with a blocked punt returned for a score, and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson seals the deal with a pick-six. Suddenly, the Titans can’t buy a first down, and Chicago storms back to snag their first win of the season. Final score: Bears 24, Titans 17.

It was a tale of two halves, with turnovers proving decisive—Chicago scored 17 points off them, while Tennessee’s early lead evaporated. Now, let’s get to the meat of it: the player stats. I’ll use simple tables to highlight the top performers in passing, rushing, receiving, and defense. These numbers come straight from the box score, so you can trust they’re spot-on.

Titans vs Bears Passing Stats: Levis Shines Early, Williams Bounces Back

Quarterbacks often steal the show, and this matchup was no different. Will Levis, in his first full start as Tennessee’s QB1, showed flashes of why the Titans are excited about him. He completed 19 of 32 passes for 127 yards, one touchdown, and—ouch—two interceptions. That first pick was a back-breaker, returned 43 yards for a touchdown by Stevenson. But credit where it’s due: Levis spread the ball well early, hitting seven different receivers.

On the other side, Caleb Williams’ NFL debut was rocky. The USC phenom went 14-for-29 for 93 yards, no touchdowns, and no picks, but he took four sacks and faced constant heat. Still, he showed poise in the pocket and even scrambled for a key two-point conversion late. It wasn’t the fireworks we expected, but for a rookie against a tough Titans D-line, it was a solid foundation.

Here’s a quick table of the passing leaders from the game:

Levis edged out Williams in yards, but those turnovers were costly. Williams’ completion percentage (48.3%) was low, but he avoided the big mistake—something that’ll serve him well as the season progresses. Fun fact: This was the lowest combined passing yards in a season opener since 2009, proving how much the defenses dictated the day.

Rushing Stats That Packed a Punch: Pollard’s Titans Lead the Charge

Running the ball was where the Titans asserted early dominance. Tony Pollard, fresh off signing with Tennessee in the offseason, was the game’s workhorse. He carried 14 times for 82 yards and that crucial 26-yard touchdown run in the first quarter that put the Titans up 7-0. His vision and burst were on full display, averaging nearly 6 yards per tote. Backup Julius Chestnut chipped in with 9 carries for 31 yards, including a clever kickoff recovery that set up good field position.

For the Bears, it was a committee approach that didn’t quite click until late. D’Andre Swift led with 5 carries for 18 yards, while Khalil Herbert added 4 for 11. Williams even lent a hand with 4 rushes for 15 yards, showing his athleticism. But overall, Chicago’s ground game totaled just 44 yards— their lowest since 2021—highlighting how Tennessee’s front bottled them up.

Check out the top rushers in this handy table:

Pollard’s TD was a highlight-reel moment—he juked two defenders and powered into the end zone. For Bears fans, Swift’s limited touches might be a concern, but expect more volume as the O-line gels.

Receiving Stats: Spread Attacks and Big Plays

With defenses swarming the passing lanes, receivers had to earn every yard. For the Titans, it was a balanced distribution that kept Chicago guessing. Chigoziem Okonkwo was Levis’ favorite target, hauling in 3 catches for 37 yards, including that 17-yard touchdown strike that made it 14-0. DeAndre Hopkins, the veteran star, was quiet with 3 receptions for 25 yards, but he drew coverage that opened things up. Tyler Boyd added 4 catches for 31 yards, showing his reliable slot presence.

The Bears’ receiving corps, loaded with talent like DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, underperformed early but flashed potential. Moore led with 4 grabs for 30 yards, while Rome Odunze (another rookie) had 2 for 12 in his debut. Cole Kmet, the tight end, was a safety valve with 3 for 22. No one exploded for big yards, but a late 5-yard catch by Swift on a two-point try was clutch.

Top receivers table for easy scanning:

Okonkwo’s score was a thing of beauty—a seam route where he boxed out the safety. Moore’s steady hands kept drives alive, even if the yardage wasn’t gaudy.

Defensive Stats: Where the Game Was Won (and Lost)

Ah, defense—this is where the Bears turned lemons into lemonade. Chicago’s unit allowed just 244 total yards but forced three turnovers, including two picks and a fumble recovery. Tyrique Stevenson was the MVP with his 43-yard interception return for a touchdown—the go-ahead score with 7:35 left. Jaylon Johnson added a game-clinching INT on fourth down late. Linebacker T.J. Edwards scooped up a Levis fumble, setting up a field goal.

The Titans’ D started hot, sacking Williams four times and holding Chicago to 148 yards. Jeffery Simmons and Sebastian Joseph-Day were disruptive, with Joseph-Day’s 19-yard sack a momentum shifter. But they faltered in the second half, unable to stop the bleeding from special teams miscues.

Key defensive performers:

Stevenson’s pick-six was his second career INT return for a score—talk about clutch! The Titans’ secondary needs to tighten up after allowing those big plays.

Special Teams Spark: The Unsung Heroes

You can’t talk this game without mentioning special teams. The Bears blocked a Ryan Stonehouse punt, with Daniel Hardy getting the block and Jonathan Owens returning it 21 yards for a TD—their first such score since 2012. Cairo Santos nailed a 50-yarder to pull within four. For Tennessee, Nick Folk was perfect on field goals (40 yards) but the punt block was a killer.

Quick special teams table:

Owens’ return was electric, flipping the field’s energy.

Team Totals at a Glance

To tie it all together, here’s the overall team stats comparison:

The Titans owned the ball and yards, but those turnovers (three leading to 17 points) were fatal.

Standout Player Performances: Stars of the Show

Let’s zoom in on a few MVPs. Tony Pollard was electric for Tennessee—his 82 yards and TD were on brand for the former Cowboy. “I felt good out there,” Pollard said post-game. “We just gotta finish stronger.”

Tyrique Stevenson’s pick-six? Legendary. “I saw the ball, made the play, and took it to the house,” he grinned. It was his third career INT return for six, spanning high school to the pros.

Caleb Williams, despite the stats, showed grit. “Rough start, but we fought back as a team,” he noted. Will Levis was honest: “That second half wasn’t us. Gotta clean it up.”

Rookies like Rome Odunze and Odell Powell (wait, no—Odunze for CHI) hinted at bright futures, even in limited roles.

What the Stats Mean for the Season

This game was a microcosm of both teams’ identities. The Titans’ run game and early balance are promising under Callahan, but turnovers killed them—something Levis must address. Their D-line (Simmons, Joseph-Day) can dominate, but the secondary needs depth.

For the Bears, it’s all about that defense under Matt Eberflus. Holding Tennessee to zero second-half points? Gold. The offense, with Williams at the helm, has weapons (Moore, Allen, Swift) but needs protection—those four sacks exposed the O-line. Special teams could be a secret weapon.

Looking ahead, the Titans host the Jets next, where Levis faces Aaron Rodgers. The Bears head to Houston, testing Williams against the Texans’ pass rush. Both teams are playoff hopefuls, but this opener showed the margins are razor-thin.

Wrapping It Up: Why This Game Had It All

The Tennessee Titans vs Chicago Bears Match Player Stats tell a story of resilience, mistakes, and pure football drama. From Pollard’s ground-and-pound to Stevenson’s game-changer, it was a reminder that stats are just numbers—it’s the heart that wins games. Whether you’re analyzing for fantasy, debating with buddies, or just reliving the highlights, this Week 1 clash set the tone for an epic 2024 season.