Bears stiffen Seahawks’ defence, take 13-9 lead at halftime on way to 34-17 win

The Story

The Chicago Bears matched the Seattle Seahawks’ physicality and delivered a statement performance on the way to a 34-17 win at Lumen Field on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, leading 13-9 at halftime.

Chicago made its first drive count, scoring on its opening possession in 17 plays spanning 80 yards and 8 minutes, 32 seconds. Receiver Luther Burden recorded a 1-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Caleb Williams on the drive.

The Bears carried that momentum into the second quarter and continued to put the Seahawks under pressure. In the first half, Williams went 17-for-25 for 165 yards and finished with a 99.6 passer rating. By the middle of the third quarter, he became the first quarterback all year to throw for at least 200 yards against Seattle.

After leading 13-9 early, Chicago extended its advantage late in the game. In the fourth quarter, Williams took a delay of game on third-and-four at the Seahawks’ 39 when the Bears led by three, then threw a screen pass to the right for a 39-yard gain by Kalif Raymond. On the following play, running back D’Andre Swift scored a 5-yard touchdown to make it 27-17.

Seattle did get some moments back, but Chicago repeatedly answered. Defensive end James Lynch sealed the win with an interception off a tipped pass by Austin Booker, returning the Bears to the Seahawks’ 6 with about six minutes remaining. Swift then scored again, this time on a 5-yard touchdown to go up by 17.

A key early factor for Chicago was new defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, acquired from the Titans four days earlier in exchange for two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder. Simmons sacked Sam Darnold in the first quarter and led Chicago with five tackles in the first half. The Bears limited Seattle to only three first downs on five possessions before the Seahawks’ touchdown-scoring drive.

The Seahawks’ longest early highlight came with 30 seconds left in the half, when Jaxon Smith-Njigba beat Tyrique Stevenson on a deep ball down the left sideline for a 43-yard touchdown. Smith-Njigba entered the weekend as the league’s receiving yards leader and had four catches for 92 yards in the first half.

Chicago’s scoring in the second quarter included a pair of field goals. Cairo Santos made a 38-yard kick after the Bears moved down the field, and later, after Ben Johnson called a timeout with 1:12 left in the first half, Santos converted a 38-yard field goal attempt.

There were also missed moments for both sides. The Bears had a field-goal try blocked when Booker blocked a Jason Myers kick after Seattle settled for a field goal. Chicago also saw some late miscues, including a fumble by tight end Colston Loveland in the early fourth quarter.

Late in the game, Darnold connected with Cooper Kupp for a 7-yard touchdown, and Tory Horton caught a 2-point conversion to cut the deficit to three with about 12 minutes left, but Chicago held on to close the game 34-17.