Bears Rewind: Defense Dominates in Orchard Park as Bears Crush Bills

The Chicago Bears will host the Buffalo Bills this weekend in a Week 16 matchup on Christmas Eve at Soldier Field. The Bears and Bills haven’t played each other much historically, with Saturday’s matchup just the 14th time the two teams will meet and Chicago owning an 8-5 all-time record over the Bills.

For this week’s Bears Rewind, we take it back to 2018 when the Bears walloped the Bills on the road, beating current Bears backup quarterback Nathan Peterman and the Bills 41-9 in Orchard Park.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Bears scored four touchdowns in the second quarter, including a Jordan Howard touchdown run, a 65-yard fumble return by Eddie Jackson, a 19-yard interception return by Leonard Floyd, and an 18-yard touchdown run by Jordan Howard.

With the Bears up 28-0 at the half, Stephen Hauschka and Cody Parkey traded field goals in the third quarter before a Cody Parkey field goal and a Mitchell Trubisky touchdown pass sealed the deal in the fourth quarter in Buffalo.

The Bears defense — much like it was the majority of the 2018 season — was the story of the day with two defensive touchdowns, three interceptions, and four sacks against the Bills while the offense did just enough to get by.

Jordan Howard’s 47 rushing yards and two scores were the cream of the crop on offense, and Mitchell Trubisky’s 135 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 12 completions were all we need to know about how truly takeaway dependent that 2018 team was.

While this weekend’s matchup will feature a drastically different Buffalo team, it also features a Bears team with a much brighter future than the one that took the field in 2018 with a winning record.

You can check out the highlight package here from the NFL on YouTube:

written by

Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

more bears news

Around the NFL: Colts Center Doesn’t Hold Back on 18-Game Schedule, Jacobs Apologizes, Gregory Sues, More

NFL Notes — Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly didn't mince words when asked about the NFL's proposal to eventually add an 18th regular-season game to the schedule. Colts Center to Roger Goodell on the 18-game Schedule: "Put a helmet on...

The Pressure is Shifting to the Bears to Put More into Their Stadium Proposal

It was around this time last year when momentum for the Chicago Bears building a new stadium in Arlington Heights began slowing down. If you'll recall, it was on June 2 of last year when reports surfaced that building on...

Caleb’s Bounce-back, Herbert’s Last Stand, 93 Days, and Other Bears Bullets

I have a friend in town who is bringing their two children to visit Chicago for the first time. From the time I pick them up from the airport, they'll be getting a full lesson on Caleb Williams and Bears...

Caleb Williams Rookie Contract Status Update: When Will He Sign?

Here's how peaceful things are at Halas Hall: Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has yet to sign his rookie contract. And yet, there have been no whispers of a holdout and no buzz...

How and When You Can Get Chicago Bears Training Camp Tickets

Summer break is underway for the Chicago Bears. Next up, training camp! The Bears just announced their training camp schedule, so clear your calendars. Chicago Bears 2024 Training Camp Practice Schedule These are the dates in which Chicago's football team...

Summer Break Begins Now For the Chicago Bears

The 2024 season promises to be an entertaining one for the Chicago Bears and their fans. This team has games on Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, and Thursday Night Football on its schedule. It also has a trip to...

Bears to Host Practice with Bengals During Training Camp

During his press conference this afternoon, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus announced that the team will host the Cincinnati Bengals for a live practice during training camp. The practice will take place on Thursday, August 15, ahead of their preseason...

Explaining Another Caleb INT, Punter Prowess, Manti Te’o on TV? And Other Bears Bullets

The last day of Bears mandatory minicamp is today. Here's hoping everyone (present company included) finishes the week on a high note. In case you missed it: We've got some news, notes, nuggets, tidbits, and highlights from Day 1 and...

Vikings Reveal New Winter Warrior Jerseys — Which They’ll Debut vs. the Bears

A team in the NFC North is set to debut a new uniform this season. Unfortunately, it is not the Chicago Bears. The Minnesota Vikings dropped a video on Thursday morning revealing the eye-popping, fashion-forward new uniform look. Check it...

Bears Day 2 Minicamp Notes: Best and Worst of Caleb, Injury Absences, More

Another day of Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp shenanigans. Let's get into it: Caleb Williams hooks up with Velus Jones Jr. I'm not even going to waste time with a wordy intro. Instead, I just want you to enjoy this throw...

Latest News

Baltimore Orioles 1st Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks

The Baltimore Orioles, following a strong 2023 season, are set to make their first-round selection in the 2024 MLB Draft with the 22nd overall pick. As the team looks to bolster their farm system and secure talent for the future,...

Phillies vs. Mets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Saturday, Alec Bohm and the Philadelphia Phillies (44-19) play Pete Alonso and the New York Mets (27-35), with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM ET at London Stadium.The article below will give you everything you need to watch Philadelphia...

Atlanta Braves 1st Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks

The Atlanta Braves, following a strong 2023 season, are set to make their first-round selection in the 2024 MLB Draft with the 24th overall pick. As the team looks to bolster their farm system and secure talent for the future,...

Cubs Roster Moves: Wicks Returns, Hodge to Iowa

Today the Chicago Cubs activated lefty Jordan Wicks from the Injured List (forearm), and sent reliever Porter Hodge to Triple-A Iowa. What's interesting about the timing here is that Jordan Wicks is not starting tonight. And he's not scheduled to...

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson Talks Draft, Patrick Kane, Jake Guentzel, More

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson spoke with the media at the Scouting Combine in Buffalo on Friday afternoon and addressed -- or didn't -- a wide range of topics, from trading up already to the possibility of trading the...

Saturday’s MLB Computer Picks & Best Bets – June 8

The MLB's 15-game slate on Saturday is not one to miss, and we offer best bets for every game included in this article. The matchups include the Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.MLB picks...

Miami Heat Mock Draft: Heat Turn 2 Picks Into Unique Star & Starter

In the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft, the Miami Heat are poised to make strategic moves with their two picks, the 15th overall and the 43rd overall. This Miami Heat Mock Draft is designed to target the best talent available while...

Around the NFL: Colts Center Doesn’t Hold Back on 18-Game Schedule, Jacobs Apologizes, Gregory Sues, More

NFL Notes — Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly didn't mince words when asked about the NFL's proposal to eventually add an 18th regular-season game to the schedule. Colts Center to Roger Goodell on the 18-game Schedule: "Put a helmet on...

Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner Out

CUBS LINEUP — Well ... the Cubs "easy" stretch in the schedule is not quite going how I envisioned. But they still have three games in Cincinnati to make up some ground. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for...

Tigers vs. Brewers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, June 7, 2024

The Detroit Tigers (31-31) and Milwaukee Brewers (36-26) meet Friday at Comerica Park, with first pitch at 6:40 PM ET on BSDET. The Tigers are -116 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Brewers are favored against the spread of...

more bears news