Bears 27 - 24 Titans summary: stats, score, highlights | NFL Preseason
The Chicago Bears beat the Tennessee Titans in the third and final preseason game for both teams. Jesper Horsted had himself a night to remember, with three touchdown receptions leading the Bears to a 27-24 victory.
Final preseason game before cut day
Both teams used the final preseason game to rest their starters and observe those who are fighting for a spot on the final roster. All 32 teams will have to shave their rosters down to 53 men by Tuesday.
The big story coming out of the Windy City this week was Andy Dalton getting the starting job for the Bears Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Matt Nagy’s decision meant that Dalton would sit today, as Justin Fields played the opening two quarters.
Fields will be Dalton's back up to start season
Many Chicago fans want to see Fields under center to start the regular season. The rookie has impressed during the preseason, and had another rock solid night on Saturday, going 7/10 with a late first half touchdown to cap his shift.
Titans ending preseason with Covid issues
Tennessee came in to Saturday with two blow out wins under their belt, but all the talk surrounding the Titans this week was for what’s going on off the field.
Nine members of the Titans tested positive for Covid over the last few days, including head coach Mike Vrable and starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Both had to watch the game form home as Matt Barkley and Logan Woodside battled for the back up spot in a final showing before cut day.
Battle for Titans backup QB spot
The Titans played the two quarterbacks in shifts of two series. Barkley passed for more yards, but Woodside was more accurate. Both threw an interception, although Woodside was returned for a touchdown, but he would later make up for it with a touchdown pass to Cameron Batson.
Scoring recap
The first quarter went without a score, but the game came to life in the second quarter when Mekhi Sargent scored the opening touchdown of the game with a one yard run.
Chicago answered back halfway through the second quarter with a Tre Roberson pick six to even up the game at 7-7. The touchdown was the first that the Titans allowed all preseason.
Horsted's hat trick of TDs
The defense hadn’t allowed a a touchdown until Fields found Horsted in the endzone to go in to the halftime break up 14-10.
NIck Foles started the third quarter for the Bears and drove his side on a 10 play 69 yard drive to take a 21-10 lead after connecting with Horsted’s second touchdown of the night.
On the next drive the Titans pounded it on the ground with Brian Hill and Javian Hawkins. Hawkins punched a one yard touchdown to cut the deficit down to 21-17.
Woodside led a 78 yard drive to take the lead back for Tennessee at the start of fourth. Woodside’s TD to Batson was the only passing touchdown of the game for the Titans, but it wouldn’t be enough.
Horsted had the play of the game, and the game winning score on a 54 yard one handed grab and go with less than 7 minutes in the game.
Tuesday cut day deadline
There were plenty of impressive performances, none more so the Horsted. Saturday was the last time the Bears and Titans coaches and front offices could see their players in a game situation Now they must hit the film room and the meeting room as they start the process of narrowing down the roster to 53 men before the end of Tuesday.
But the play of the night belongs to Jesper Horsted who had the one handed snag for a 54 yard TD reception, his third pf the game.
Batson and TEN took the lead early in the fourth quarter with this beautiful back shoulder throw from Woodside.
Right before the half it was Fields finding Horsted who did a toe tap to take the lead into the third quarter.
Blasingame with a huge gain off the screen pass, and the full back showing some wheels setting up the FG
THE CHICAGO BEARS BEAT THE TENNESSEE TITANS 27-24 IN THE THIRD AND FINAL GAME OF THE PRESEASON!!!!
Hawkins runs it up the gut for the last play of the game.
Barkley's pass incomplete to Kinsay on first down.
What a punt from `O'Donnell who pins the Titans inside their own 1.
Pierce picks up 7 yards, and CHI will let the clock run down to 34 seconds on 4th and 1.
Nall picks up 2 yards. Timeout TEN
Pierce gets no gain on first down
Woodside's pass incomplete to Brown and the Titans turn it over on downs.
Hawkins stopped on 3rd and 3 for a loss of 2.
Hawkins on the screen with a gain of 7. We are at the 2 minute warning from Nashville.
Woodside goes down inthe backfield for a loss of 1.
Offside on the defense, automatic first down on fourth down.
Woodside left it behind Pinkney, TEN wil go for it on 4th down.
Woodside slips out of pressure and finds Kinsay for 3 yards. 3rd and 2 to come
Hawkins with a 5 yard rush to the left on first down.
Punt down to the Titans 27. 3:34 left in the fourth quarter
Nall cant hang on to the pass, and that will bring up 4th and 4.
Pierce stoped at the line for no gain.
Pierce breaks a few tackles and gets 7 yards on first down.
Punt down to the 20 yard line. CHI will take over with 4:39 to go in the game.
Barkley's pass nearly picked by Shelly. 4th and 11 coming up.
Bakley to Brown on the out rout for 14 yards. 3rd and 11
Hawkins picks up 11, but a chop block will back TEN to 2nd and 25
Hawkins with a 6 yard run for the first down.
Kinsay on the 11 yard catch after the false start against TEN. 2nd and 9
Hawkins runs left, and picks up 11 on first down.
Touchback and the Titans and Barkley will take over at the 25
6:51 to go in the fourth quarter
TOUCHDOWN BEARS!!! Horsted with a one handed grab and takes it to the house. 54 yard catch and run for the Ivy Leaguer. Two point conversion is no good, Foles pass in incomplete
Pierce up the middle picks up 4 on first down.
Long completion for Horsted for 17 yards and the first down.
PUnt to the CHI 20 is returned to the 24 by Newsome.
Hill met in the backfield and stopped for a loss of 2. 4th down and 3 coming up.
Hawkins just shy of the first down, as he picks up two and a half yards.
Hawkins up the middle for 7 yards on first down.
10:10 to go in the 4th quarter.
Kinsay with an 11 yard return off the punt to the TEN 30.
Foles pass incomplete to Coulter and a 3 and out for the Bears will give possesion back to the Titans
Pierce up the middle for a 2 yard game. 3rd and 3 up coming
Pierce with the carry to the left, picks up 5 yards.
Johnson on the return to the CHI 25
TOUCHDOWN TITANS!!!! Woodson left it up for Batson on the back shouler throw. Ficken PAT is good.
HIll on a crossing route picks up 14. 4th and 1 coming up.
Woodside going to the endzone and Fitzpatrick couldn't make the catch for the TD
Woodside to Hill for a five yard gain. 2nd and 15 coming up
Hawkins on a sweep to the right, gets 9 yards. Flag on the play, holding will back TEN to the 24 on 1st and 20
Hill with a short gain and picks up the first down.
Hill pushes the pile for a 10 yard gain.
Woodside completes the pass over the midddle to Forristall for 16 yards and the Titans are at the CHI 26
Hill picks up 8 and a 15 yard face mask will give the Titans 15 extra yards.
Woodside findes Batson for 12 yards and the first down.
49 yard punt from O'Donnell to the TEN 25.
Foles under pressure and his pass is incomplete. 4th and 3 coming up for CHI
Johnson with a 4 yard reception. 3rd and 3 coming
Pierce up the middle for three yards on 1st down.
3 minutes to go in the third
Lacy is smacked on the return, CHI will start from their 18
TOUCHDOWN TITANS!!! Hawkins punches in the TD from a yard out. FIcken's PAT is good.
Hill gets down to the run after the rush from the shotgun. 3rd and goal from the 1 to come
Hill picks up 2 and TEN are at the CHI 5, 2nd and goal to come
Hawkins falls for the first and picks up 3 yards
Hawkins gets 8 yards off the run on first down. Ball at the CHI 8
Hill again, picks up the first down after a 13 yard gain
Hill with a strong run through the middle for 8 yards on first down TEN inside the CHI 30
Barkley finds Fitzpatrick for a first down and a gain of 28
Hill finds a big gap in the hole and picks up 13.
Hill runs left, and picks up 3 on first down
Kickoff returned by Batson to the TEN 20
TOUCHDOWN BEARS!!!! Horsted with his second TD reception on a slant over the middle. PAT is good from Johnson
Herbert on first down picks up a yard
Pass into the flat for Newsome on the right side, makes a defender miss and picks up 19. CHI at the TEN 7
Foles to Herbert off the play action, who picks up 10 on the catch and run
Foles over the middle, finds Robinson again and gets the first down after a gain of 12. CHI on the TEN 36
Johnson picks up four yards on the catch, 3rd and 5 coming up
Herbert rushes left for 1 yard on first down
Foles to Couter again to pick up the 1st down.
Herbert rush up the middle for no gain.
Nick Foles starting the 3rd quarter for the Bears. Foles finds Coulter for 8 yards on first down
Herbert with the 25 yard return to the CHI 31
We are back in play from NIssan Stadium
The two turnovers were costly for the Titans in the first half.
The Horsted TD was the first that the Titans defense has allowed all preseason.
That will be the last play of the first half. The offense picked up late in the second quarter. Chicago leads 14-10 at the break
Sargent out of the shotgun gets a yard on the rush to the left.
Batson on the return gets to the 20
TOUCHDOWN BEARS!!!! Fields looking to the end zone and finds Horsted who does a toe tap along the sideline, PAT is good from Santos
Ball at the TEN 20.
First down from the TEN 42, Adams on the comeback rount gets 6, and will get 15 extra yards after a personal foul by Boarders
Pass incomplete, but the drive continues after a pass interference call aginst Farley
Fields gets 7 yards on the scramble before stepping out of bounds.
Fields pass incomplete to Herbert.
Fields finds Ridley for 5 yards.
Herbert pushed out of bounds after picking up 6 on first down.
1:43 to go in the half
Herbert returns the kickoff to the CHI 22
Ficken hits the 21 yard FG. Titans take the lead with 1:47 to go in the half
Pass incomplete after a great bit of defeneding by the Bears. 4th down coming
Sargent picks up 1, TEN is down to the CHI 5.3rd and goal upcoming
We are at the two minute warning from Nashville
Blasingame on the screen pass with a huge gain. Great blocking and the Titans are down to the CHI 6. 49 yard gain
Barkley over the middle to Brown for a big gain but it's coming back after an offensive interfernce call against Hudson. 3rd and 13 coming up from the TEN 44
Hill runs right and gains 4. 3rd and 3 coming up.
Sargent picks up three on first down.
Under 5 to go in the half
Barkley floats it to Kinsey for an 11 yard gain on the out route
Blasingame just picks up the first down with the 2 yard game.
Sargent picks up a yard up the middle, 3rd and 1 coming
Sargent with a pick up of 8 on first down from the 25
Touchback and the Titans will take it from the 25. Barkley back in the game, it looks like TEN is going 2 and 2 with their QBs.
Woodside was pressured in the pocket and had his arm hit on the release, ball fell right in to the arms of Roberson who ran it back for the TD.
Touchdown!!! Pick 6 for Roberson and the Bears!!!! PAT is good from Santos
Kinsey dropped behing the line of scrimmage after the pass in the flat. 3rd and 11 coming
Woodside hits Hudson for the 5 yard gain. 2nd and 10 coming
False start on TEN, backed up to 1st and 15 at the TEN 15
Woodsides tucks it and picks up 12 as he falls for the first down.
Hill again stopped before the line of scrimage, loss of one and 3rd and 11 coming up
Hill runs right, stopped for no gain on first down.
50 yard punt to Hooker, returned 8 yards to the TEN 26.
After review the pass is ruled incomplete as Adams didn't get two feet down before going out of bounds.
FIelds finds Adams for an 8 yard gain on third down. First down is picked up but the play will be reviewed.
Fields up the middle gets 7 yards. 4th and 8 to come.
Fields finds Horsted for 7 yards. 2nd and 15 coming up
Ifedi false start, CHI backed up 5 yards, 1st and 15
Herbert returns the kickoff to the CHI 30
13:28 to go in the second quarter
Sargent with the TOUCHDOWN up the middle!!! 1 yard gain, and TEN lead, Ficken convert the PAT
Woodside from shotgun incomplete pass intended for Brown
Sargent with another one yard gain, 3rd and goal from the 1 coming up
Sargents picks up a yard, TEN is down to the 2 yard line.
We have reached the end of the first quarter, it's still scoreless but the Titans are knocking on the door
Batson again, this time on the come back route, break a tackle and he's inside the CHI 3. Gain of 17 on the play.
Sargent picks up one on first down, Titans are now at the CHI 20.
Woodside finds Batson on the slant for the 8 yard gain. First down Titans
Hill up the gut for a gain of 1. 3rd and 4 from the CHI 30.
Sargent gains six on first down. 2nd and 6 upcoming. Titans down to the CHI 36. Timeout TItans
Woodside gets the D to jump offsides for the first down
Pass complete to Sargen for 6 yards, and 3rd and 1 upcoming
Sargent picks up 3 yards on the run to the left. 2nd and 7 from the CHI 46
Woodside at QB out of the break, Barkley's night is done
The Titans come up with the stop as Williams is stopped before the marker. Turnover on downs in CHI territory
Williams stuffed for a one yard gain on the run up the middle. 4th and 2 coming up
Fields to Ridley for a 9 yard gain towards the right sideline, 3rd and 1 coming up from the 50
FIelds finds Adams on a screen pass in the flat for no gain. 2nd and 10
Fields finds Adams on the out route for a seven yard pick up on the first down
Williams gains four yards on a short catch, 3rd and 6 coming up
Fields incomplete pass on first down.
Barkley picked off by Trevaithan and returned 24 yards to the CHI 31
Sargent back up the middle on the run and he picks up 5. 2nd and 5 from the 16
Titans on the CHI 21
Marcus Johnson on the five yard catch, picks up the first down.
Barkley rolls right, and finds Balsingame in the flat for a gain of 6
Sargent back to work on a run to the left, pics up three yards
First down picked up by Blasingame after a five yard run. Munyer injured on the play for TEN
Barkley looking for Stocker between the hashes, but the pass was behind the TE
Sargent picks up 13 on a run to the left. 2nd and 2 after a false start on first down
O'Donnell's punt to the TEN 47 returned 5 yards to the CHI 48 by Rogers.
Fields swallowed up in the back field for a seven yard sack. Two quick 3 and outs for each side.
Williams stuffed at the line for no gain on the run
Williams up the middle for a gain of 6 on 1st and 10
Punt sent inside the 20 and the Bears will take over from the 18
Barkley under pressure and the pass is incomplete. 4th and 6 coming up and a quick 3 and out.
Back to Sargent, who rushes for another 2 yards.
Sargent picks up 2 yards up the middle. 2nd and 8 coming up
1st and 10 from the 25 for the Titans after a touchback from the Bears.
We are underway from Nissan Stadium.
John Stricherm the Head of Football development will step in for Vrabel tonight.
NFL could cut time between tests for vaccinated players around the league. Originally tests were administered every two weeks, but the NFL is considering narrowing it down to seven days.
Dalton not the unanimous choice in the Windy City
Most in Chicago want to see Fields launched into the fire in his rookie season, but Nagy is being careful with his first round draft pick
All eyes in Chicago on Fields
Justin Fields will get the start tonight in Nashville. Andy Dalton was named the starter by Matt Nagy
Barkley to get a load of snaps
With no Tannehill, expect to see pleny of this man tonight. Matt Barkley is the front runner for the back up gig for the Titans.
Titans dealing with Covid issues
There are nine people in the Titans franchise who have tested positive for Covid. Head coach Mike Vrabel and QB Ryan Tannehill are among the nine that will be unavailable tonight.
Tennessee Big 3 will most likely sit tonight
Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill and Julio Jones have yet to play this preseason and it's doubtful they will see time tonight
Starts will have light work tonight
Don't expect to see too many starters tonight. The final preseason game is being used more to get a good look at fringe players looking to make the team, rather that starters fine tuning with a load of team snaps.
Last call before cuts
Hello everyone and welcome to Nashville for the final preseaosn match between the Bears and the Titans.
The third and final week of preseason is under way and NFL coaches have a final chance tune up the team, and a final chance to see the fringe players in a game situation before finals cuts are made on Tuesday. The Chicago Bears and the Tennessee Titans play in their final exhibition, but don’t expect to see too many starters on display tonight. AS English will be providing live coverage, stats, scores, and highlights of all the action from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Bears are coming off of an 8-8 season, but their offense has got an offseason makeover as hope in the Windy City is at a long time high. Much of the hope rides on the shoulders of rookie quarterback Justin Fields who has had an impressive preseason.
Despite some steady play under center from the former Buckeye Matt Nagy has declared Andy Dalton the Week 1 starter.
The Bears edged the Miami Dolphins in the preseason opener, but they were demolished a week later by the Buffalo Bills and former quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. While preseason scores really don’t equate to much, Chicago will be eager to put that performance behind them.
Dalton only played a few snaps against Miami, but had a nice showing last week going 11/17 with 146 passing yards and a touchdown. Fields went just 9/19 with 80 yards in Week 2, but had an electric debut going 14/20 with 142 yards and a touchdown to go along with his 33 rushing yards.
Rodney Adams is fighting for a sport on the roster. In two games he has piled up 146 yards, including his 73 yard reception against the Bills. If he has a big game today, he will make an even stronger case for staying with the Bears the season.
The Titans won their division but were knocked out of the playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs. This offseason Mike Vrabel’s side made some big moves, including bringing in wide receiver Julio Jones from Atlanta.
Their main concern at the moment is keeping everyone safe and healthy in the weeks leading up to the regular season, as a small outbreak of Covid has swept through the Tennessee locker room. Head coach Mike Vrabel, starting quarter back Ryan Tannehill and seven others in the Titans organization have tested positive. At the moment the focus is as much off the field as one it in the Titans camp.
One the field the Titans have been excellent, blowning out their opponents in the first two preseason games even with Jones, Derrick Henry, and Ryan Tannehill sidelined for both of those games.
The Titans beat the Falcons 23-3 in Week 1, and followed that performance up by knocking off the defending Super Bowl Champions 34-3 last week. Matt Barkley impressed with two touchdowns, completing 12 of 16 passes.
Tannehill will obviously not play, but it remains to be seen if we see Henry and get our first look at Julio Jones in a Titans jersey.
Kick off is set for 7 p.m. ET from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. The game can be seen on NFL Network nationally, if you are in the local markets, check your local listings to see which station will be broadcasting the game.