Instant Reactions: Justin Fields and Bears blast by Falcons in Soldier Field finale

The Chicago Bears are entering 2024 with their highest hopes in year.

On a day when the Carolina Panthers locked up the Bears’ rights to the No. 1 pick, Justin Fields and Company also posted an impressive 37-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The victory was the Bears’ fifth straight at Soldier Field and moved their overall record to 7-9 with the season finale in Green Bay coming next Sunday.

The Bears got off to a quick start with long touchdown drives on their first two possessions. Fields capped off their first possession with an absolute dime to DJ Moore in the corner of the end zone and took the score to 14-0 one possession later with a touchdown scramble himself.

Fields finished the day with 268 passing yards and one passing touchdown on 20 of 32 passing and added another 45 yards on 11 carries. DJ Moore had a monster game, hauling in nine receptions for 159 yards and a touchdown.

The Bears defense was also impressive, intercepting Taylor Heinicke three times and Desmond Ridder once.

That the Bears were eliminated from playoff contention thanks to the Rams win over the Giants barely even spoiled the mood.

Here are our initial impressions on the win …

Adam Hoge

The Bears just got eliminated from the playoffs and it’s a party in Chicago. What a weird (but very fun) day. Most importantly, Justin Fields looked legitimately good in tough weather conditions and it’s going to be hard for Ryan Poles and Kevin Warren to ignore the “We want Fields!” chants that echoed through Soldier Field. It’s also impossible to ignore the progress being made under Matt Eberflus. Unless the Bears completely flop against the Packers next week, you have to think Flus will return in 2024.

Nicholas Moreano

The Justin Fields-DJ Moore connection was on full display in the Bears’ 37-17 victory over the Falcons. Fields connected with Moore nine times for 159 yards, including a 7-yard score to give the Bears their first points of the game. Fields finished with 268 yards through the air, and ran for 45 yards and a rushing touchdown. The Bears’ defense created four turnovers – all interceptions. With snow flurries coming down throughout the game, the Bears gave their fans a dominant performance to close out their final home game at Soldier Field in 2023.

Kevin Kaduk

It’s hard not to feel excited after Sunday’s win over the Falcons — or the securing of the No. 1 pick thanks to Carolina’s loss to Jacksonville. Everything seems to be coming up Bears these past two months and it’s a shame that the two things that didn’t — the fourth quarters in Cleveland and Detroit — are going to keep them out of the playoffs. It would’ve been nice to see this team get some experience in the playoffs and maybe even more.

Mark Carman

There has never been a 7-9 party quite like this one. The “We Want Fields” chants ringing out from Soldier Field for Ryan Poles and company to hear. Fields had numerous electric moments, DJ Moore dominated, Khalil Herbert crushed, the Bears locked up the number one pick. Let the countdown to 2024 begin.

Greg Braggs Jr.

What a glorious day to be a Chicago Bears fan. Bears Win! Fields balls out! And the Bears clinched the No. 1 pick for the second year in a row. Ryan Poles holds the keys to the kingdom once again this offseason. And after the way Justin Fields played today, it’s starting to look more and more likely that they will run it back with him along with Matt Eberflus as the Bears have gone 7-5 since starting 0-4 on the season. Maybe we got ahead of our skis for 2023 but with 2024 coming at midnight tonight, it’s hard not to be extremely excited for the future of the Chicago Bears!

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