Despite losing Rome Odunze, Chicago's offense and defense dominated the Browns, setting the stage for a pivotal rematch with the Packers.
The Chicago Bears were back home in Week 15, facing the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field.
However, they would have to do so without Rome Odunze in the lineup. It was an unfortunate series of events for Odunze. It was initially reported that he was going to play after dealing with a foot injury coming into the weekend.
Odunze was preparing to play but suffered a setback in pregame warmups and was ruled out.
This meant that the Bears went up against a Browns secondary that allowed the second-fewest passing yards per game (188) without their top receiver.
The absence of Odunze didn't worry the Bears much, as they moved the ball exceptionally well in the first quarter.
Chicago scored two touchdowns, one from D'Andre Swift and another from D.J. Moore. The touchdown pass to Moore was set up by a 40-yard bomb to rookie Luther Burden III.
Caleb Williams finished with 190 passing yards in the first half but appeared to suffer an injury just before halftime. He was seen limping after a late hit and returned to the game.
The Bears' defense kept Shedeur Sanders at bay, holding the Browns to three points to take a 14-3 lead into the third quarter.
Ben Johnson took a gamble on his team's opening drive of the second half. The Bears decided to go for it on 4th-and-3 at the Browns' 46-yard line, as Williams was sacked.
The Bears didn't do much on their first two drives of the third quarter until an interception from Sanders put the offense at the Browns' 17-yard line. D'Marco Jackson tipped the pass to himself and intercepted it.
It took just one play for Williams to find Moore again in the end zone. The quarterback threaded the pass in between two Cleveland defenders to give Chicago a 21-3 lead.
A welcome sight happened late in the third quarter for Jaylon Johnson. Johnson has missed significant time this season with a groin injury that he suffered in the Week 2 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Johnson got his first pick of the season while covering Jerry Jeudy. Johnson quite literally ripped the ball out of Jeudy's hands, as it appeared the Browns' wideout had a touchdown.
Swift scored Chicago's final touchdown of the game. The Bears added a field goal to make the final score 31-3, as all eyes are now on the Week 16 meeting with the Packers. Even with Odunze out, Williams had 242 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Fans will have to wait and see if the Denver Broncos can help out the Bears with a win over the Packers.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Detroit Lions in another critical matchup that the Bears will want to pay attention to.
Chicago and Green Bay meet for round 2 on Saturday Dec. 20 at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.