Bears vs. Bengals score, takeaways: Chicago wins as Justin Fields subs in for Dalton, Joe Burrow throws 3 INTs

Chicago secured its first win of the season in front of fans at Soldier Field

The Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals played a relatively clean first half of football, resulting in a close game. The narrative changed in the second half as they combined for five turnovers, including four on consecutive series from the Bengals. Andy Dalton was efficient in the first half until an ankle injury forced him to retire from the game, opening the door for Justin Fields, the No. 11 overall selection in the 2021 draft.

Fields completed 6 of his 13 passes for 60 yards and one interception. He is still searching for his first NFL passing touchdown. Joe Burrow, comparatively, threw three interceptions on consecutive pass attempts after having not thrown one in the prior 199 attempts. Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase and Allen Robinson were on the receiving end of the game's three offensive touchdowns.

Why the Bears won

The defense came to play Sunday at Solder Field. Burrow completed 19-of-30 pass attempts for 207 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. The unit applied pressure from all angles, resulting in four sacks, and turned Cincinnati over four times. Despite a valiant effort to come back, the Bengals fell short. The hole they dug was too deep. 

Why the Bengals lost

Cincinnati was unable to establish the ground game and found life difficult through the air. It would be difficult to overcome four turnovers any week but specifically one where the offense was gaining little traction. Cincinnati actually outgained its opponent because short fields led to most of Chicago's points. 

Burrow had thrown just five interceptions in 10 games last season and just six picks in his final season with LSU. He had not thrown an interception in his previous 199 attempts -- the longest active streak in the NFL at the time. 

Turning point

With 4:48 remaining in the third quarter, Burrow hit Higgins for 14 yards but Higgins fumbled it away. It was the first of four consecutive possessions that ended with a turnover for Cincinnati, including three interceptions on consecutive pass attempts from Burrow. It was the first occurrence since Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 3 of the 2018 season.   

Chicago scored 13 of its 20 points off of those turnovers. 

Play of the game

Second-year cornerback Jaylon Johnson recorded his first-career interception with 10:19 remaining in the fourth quarter. Higgins appeared to be running a slow-developing comeback route when Johnson ran the route for him and snared Burrow's second consecutive interception. He returned it three yards to the Cincinnati 36-yard line. 

What's next 

Cincinnati will travel to play division rival Pittsburgh next week and will play its one and only primetime game of the season in Week 4, as the No. 1 overall pick in each of the past two drafts, Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence and Burrow, square off on "Thursday Night Football." Green Bay comes to town the following week.

Chicago alternates home and away games week after week. As a result of playing at home against the Bengals, the Bears will hit the road next week against another AFC North foe in the Browns. Division play commences the following week at home against Detroit. 

[Sep 19, 2021 at 3:51 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Huge pickup on the ground by Justin Fields. Chicago just needs to keep the clock running. We are at the two minute warning.

[Sep 19, 2021 at 3:46 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Cincinnati is capable of scoring so quickly. We have a ballgame once again.

[Sep 19, 2021 at 3:36 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Joe Burrow had five interceptions in 10 games last season. He had six interceptions in 15 games with LSU as a senior. Burrow has three interceptions today. He is the first NFL quarterback to throw interceptions on three consecutive attempts since Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 3 of 2018.

[Sep 19, 2021 at 3:20 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

The wheels have fallen off of this one for Cincinnati. Third turnover in the second half. They are now 14.5 point live underdogs, according to Caesars Sportsbook. 

https://www.williamhill.com/us/nj/bet#!#%2F

[Sep 19, 2021 at 3:17 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Joe Burrow had the longest active streak of pass attempts without an interception according to the telecast. It ends at 200.