The Chicago Bears took care of business on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. While the final score was 31-23, it was never that close. Chicago was in control from the outset, scoring on their opening drive and eventually building a 31-7 lead. Two 4th quarter touchdowns by the Falcons made it look better than it actually was. The Bears merely took their foot off the gas. Much of this win came down to their ability to control the line of scrimmage, which was a surprise given how solid Atlanta is on both sides of the ball. At the heart of that success, unsurprisingly, was Darnell Wright.
The star right tackle had another excellent game, allowing only one pressure all afternoon. However, his crowning moment wasn’t a normal pass block. It came in the 2nd quarter. Already up 14-0, the Bears were looking to deliver an early kill shot. Caleb Williams fired a screen pass to wide receiver Kalif Raymond, who picked up 5 yards. Unfortunately, it was called back due to a holding penalty on Wright. Replays quickly showed what happened. The hold, if you can call it that, felt more like a message. Wright took Falcons defensive back Sydney Brown and turned him into road kill.
Darnell Wright certainly got the message across.
While the ensuing field goal on the drive was no good and Atlanta scored a quick touchdown, the Bears seemed to seize total control after that. Their next drive wiped out most of the remaining quarter, capped by a Tory Taylor muffed punt and a D’Andre Swift touchdown. Wright was a presence on every snap, failing to allow Atlanta defenders to find any rhythm. Another of his punishing run blocks paved the way for a Roschon Johnson touchdown to make it 28-7 towards the end of the 3rd quarter.
There are plenty of tough offensive linemen out there. However, not all of them know how to set the tone with their play. Darnell Wright is absolutely one of those guys. While his nasty pancake of Brown was a penalty, you probably didn’t see many angry coaches on the sideline upon seeing the replay. They understood what that kind of block can do to the psyche of the opponent. It sends a message that you’d better buckle that chip strap. Every single snap is going to be a war. Often, defenses aren’t ready for that.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
More of that will be needed in the next two weeks.
The Bears enter what is probably the most pivotal stretch of their season. If they want to know whether they are ready for the big time, it’ll be determined in the next two games. First, they’ll host the New England Patriots at Soldier Field, and then head northwest to Seattle to face the Seahawks. Last year’s Super Bowl participants are considered the bar you must get over if you want to enter that conversation. Both teams got there through tough, physical play. If the Bears fancy themselves that type of team, they need to prove it.
That is where Wright comes in. You need certain guys to help establish that sort of identity. The big right tackle has consistently been one of their toughest and most physical players. Atlanta was merely the latest to find that out the hard way. If the Bears can get past those two teams, the narrative on them will shift from fun watch to legitimate contender. It’s rather fitting since Wright was the one who started it all.
