Caleb Williams threw for three TDs as the Bears beat the Steelers

CHICAGO — Caleb Williams threw for three touchdowns, and the Bears beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28 in a matchup of the division leaders on Sunday, with Chicago’s old nemesis Aaron Rodgers sidelined with a broken left wrist.

Rodgers is 25-5 against the Bears in his long tenure in Green Bay. He once famously turned to the crowd at Soldier Field and shouted that he still owned Chicago. But the four-time MVP didn’t get a chance to show that it still matters.

Rodgers, who turns 42 on Dec. 2, suffered the injury in the second quarter of last week’s 34-12 win over Cincinnati. He wore a brace when he practiced on a limited basis Friday, but the Steelers (6-5) went with Mason Rudolph in his place and fell into a first-place tie with Baltimore in the AFC North.

The NFC North-leading Bears (8-3) won for the eighth time in nine games. After rallying in the final two minutes of the previous three weeks, they took a late lead this time.

Pittsburgh pulled within three when Rudolph hit Fryermuth for a 3-yard score with 6 1/2 minutes remaining to cap a 17-play drive. The Steelers had the ball near midfield in the closing minutes when Grady Jarrett tipped a fourth-down pass at the line, sealing the victory for Chicago.

Williams, who was shaky in Minnesota last week despite setting a franchise single-season record with his fifth fourth-quarter punt return, found his rhythm in the second half after consistently shedding receivers in the first two quarters. He was 19 of 35 for 239 yards against a team that allows a league-worst 261.7 yards per game. Williams was also stripped by TJ Watt in the end zone early in the second quarter, and the Steelers’ Nick Herbig recovered a fumble for a touchdown.

DJ Moore had five receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns after catching just one pass over the previous two games. He caught a 5-yard TD in the first quarter, and his 25-yard score early in the third gave Chicago a 24–21 lead.

Colston Loveland had a touchdown catch. Kelly Monangai ran for a score and Monty’s Suit had two runs.

Rudolph, who returned to Pittsburgh for a second after he signed in March, settled after throwing an interception on his first pass. He was 24 of 31 for 171 yards with a touchdown.

Kenneth Gainville, coming off one of the best days of his career, had 92 yards rushing, including a 55-yarder that led to a touchdown late in the first half. He caught seven passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns against Cincinnati last week and finished with 105 total yards.

DK Metcalf and Jaylen Warren each ran for TDs for the Steelers.

Steelers: CB Joey Porter Jr. hurt his leg in the first half and returned to the game before leaving with a hip injury in the third quarter. … Metcalf (Ankle) limped to the sideline in the second and third quarters. … OT Broderick Jones suffered a stinger in the fourth quarter.

Bears: LB Rubin Hypolite (ankle) and CB Tyreke Stevenson (hip) left the game. Both were injured in the first half. … DL Domique Robinson was assessed for a concussion in the fourth quarter.

Steelers: Host Buffalo next Sunday.

Bears: Visit Philadelphia on Friday.