Bears vs. Falcons game recap: Justin Fields, Chicago defense fuel 37-17 win over Atlanta

Bears 37, Falcons 17 − Final Score

Bears player stats, game leaders

According to NFL.com:

• Justin Fields: 20-of-32 passing for 268 yards and a touchdown; 11 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown.

• Khalil Herbert: 18 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown; 2 receptions for 5 yards.

• Rocshon Johnson: 7 carries for 21 yards and a touchdown; 3 reception for 38 yards.

• Velus Jones: 1 carry for 2 yards.

• D.J. Moore: 9 receptions for 159 yards and a touchdown.

• Robert Tonyan: 3 receptions for 40 yards.

• Tyler Scott: 2 receptions for 15 yards.

• Collin Johnson: 1 reception for 11 yards.

Falcons player stats, game leaders

According to NFL.com:

• Taylor Heinicke: 10-of-29 passing for 163 yards, a touchdown and 3 interceptions; 4 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown.

• Desmond Ridder: 3-of-4 passing for 17 yards and an interception.

• Bijan Robinson: 15 carries for 75 yards; 3 receptions for 11 yards.

• Tyler Allgeier: 5 carries for 13 yards; 1 reception for 75 yards and a touchdown.

• Drake London: 4 receptions for 56 yards.

• Van Jefferson: 3 receptions for 19 yards.

• MyCole Pruitt: 1 reception for 14 yards.

• Kyle Pitts: 1 reception for 5 yards.

Bears 37, Falcons 17 − End of fourth quarter

:19 left, fourth quarter

Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier runs off the right end for 1 yard to close out the game.

:52 left, fourth quarter

Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier runs off the right end for 2 yards.

1:08 left, fourth quarter

Bears RB Rocshon Johnson runs off the left tackle for 7 yards. Chicago is forced to punt. An illegal blindside block against the Bears adds a 15-yard penalty. Falcons take over at their own 24.

2:02 left, fourth quarter

Bears QB Justin Field is sacked for a 17-yard loss by Atlanta LB Lorenzo Carter to take the game into the 2-minute warning.

2:07 left, fourth quarter

Bears RB Rocshon Johnson runs off the left guard for 2 yards.

2:15 left, fourth quarter

On 2nd-and-4, Falcons QB Desmond Ridder is intercepted by Bears DB Tyrique Stevenson. Chicago takes over at the Bears own 33 yard line.

3:39 left, fourth quarter

On 2nd-and-5, Falcons QB Desmond Ridder finds Bijan Robinson for 6 yards and a first down.

3:39 left, fourth quarter

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson runs off the left end for 11 yards and a first down.

3:42 left, fourth quarter

Bears RB Khalil Herbert runs off the right tackle for a 1-yard touchdown.

3:50 left, fourth quarter

Bears RB Khalil Herbert runs off the right tackle for 38 yards.

3:58 left, fourth quarter

Bears RB Khalil Herbert runs off the right end for 2 yards.

4:07 left, fourth quarter

On 4th-and-17, Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke is intercepted by Chicago CB Kyler Gordon. The Bears take over at the Atlanta 41 yard line.

4:35 left, fourth quarter

Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke is sacked by Chicago DT Gervon Dexter Sr. for a 6-yard loss.

4:59 left, fourth quarter

Atlanta starts at its own 25 yard line. Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke's pass to Bijan Robinson goes for a 1-yard loss.

5:04 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-4, Bears QB Justin Fields' pass deep left to WR D.J. Moore is incomplete. Chicago K Cairo Santos buries a 42-yard field goal.

6:01 left, fourth quarter

Bears RB Rochson Johnson runs off the left guard for 6 yards.

6:51 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-7, Bears QB Justin Fields spins out of a sack and scampers around the right end for 11 yards and a first down.

8:20 left, fourth quarter

Bears RB Rocshon Johnson runs off the right tackle for 2 yards.

8:29 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-10, Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke's pass deep left intended for TE Kyle Pitts is incomplete. Atlanta is forced to punt. Chicago takes over at the Atlanta 44 yard line.

8:43 left, fourth quarter

Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke throws incomplete short right to WR Drake London.

8:52 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-15, Bears QB Justin Fields passes short right to RB Rochson Johnson for 9 yards. Chicago is forced to punt. Atlanta takes over at its own 25 yard line.

11:03 left, fourth quarter

On 2nd-and-10, Bears QB Justin Fields has a 22-yard run negated by an offensive holding penalty.

12:21 left, fourth quarter

Chicago starts at its own 25 yard line. Bears QB Justin Fields connects with WR D.J. Moore for 21 yards and a first down.

12:21 left, fourth quarter

Chicago starts at its own 25 yard line. Bears QB Justin Fields connects with WR D.J. Moore for 21 yards and a first down.

13:32 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-4, Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke scrambles across the left end for 24 yards and a touchdown.

13:51 left, fourth quarter

On 3rd-and-7, Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke passes short right to Van Jefferson for 19 yards. An unnecessary roughness penalty by Chicago adds another 15 yards. Atlanta is at the Bears 30 yard line.

14:18 left, fourth quarter

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson gains 3 yards of the right end.

14:55 left, fourth quarter

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson runs off the right tackle for 12 yards and a first down.

15:00 left, fourth quarter

Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke's pass intended for TE Kyle Pitts is nearly intercepted.

Bears 27, Falcons 10 − End of third quarter

:01 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-1, Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier runs off the left tackle for 2 yards and a first down to close out the third quarter.

1:10 left, third quarter

Atlanta begins at its own 25 yard line. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson runs off left guard for 6 yards.

1:14 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-6, Bears QB Justin Fields finds D.J. Moore for 5 yards. Chicago K Cairo Santos hits a 42-yard field goal.

2:43 left, third quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields throws deep into the end zone for WR Tyler Scott, but the ball hits off the extended hands of Scott and falls incomplete.

3:19 left, third quarter

On 2nd-and-20, Bears QB Justin Fields throws short left to WR D.J. Moore for 23yards to the Atlanta 33 yards line.

3:58 left, third quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields throws an incomplete pass. Chicago is called for offensive pass interference, costing the Bears 10 yards.

4:06 left, third quarter

Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke's floats a pass toward TE Jonnu Smith that is intercepted by Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson. Chicago takes over at the Atlanta 46 yard line.

4:14 left, third quarter

Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke's pass to Bijan Robinson is incomplete.

4:22 left, third quarter

On 4th-and-6, Bears QB Justin Fields' pass deep falls incomplete. Atlanta takes over at its own 39 yard line.

5:13 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-6, Bears QB Justin Fields loses a yard running toward the right end.

5:54 left, third quarter

On 2nd-and-10, Bears RB Khalil Herbert runs off the left guard for 4 yards.

6:12 left, third quarter

On 2nd-and-12, Bears QB Justin Fields completes a pass to WR Collin Johnson for 12 yards and a first down. Atlanta throws the challenge flag. The ruling on the field stands. Johnson stepped out of bounds at the Atlanta 42 yard line.

7:37 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-8, Bears QB Justin Fields scrambles off the right end for 13 yards and a first down.

8:23 left, third quarter

Bears begin at their own 33 yard line. Chicago QB Justin Fields' pass to WR Tyler Scott is incomplete.

8:33 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-7, Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke's pass intended for TE Jonnu Smith is incomplete. Atlanta K Younghoe Koo drills a 38-yard field goal.

9:34 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-1, Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke hits TE MyCole Pruitt for 29 yards and a first down. A roughing the passer penalty tacks on 15 yards. Atlanta is at the Chicago 22 yard line.

10:50 left, third quarter

Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke passes short right to Van Jefferson for 9 yards.

11:31 left, third quarter

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson runs for 10 yards off the left end for a first down.

11:56 left, third quarter

Atlanta starts at its own 25 yard line. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson takes a Taylor Heinicke pass for 5 yards to the right side.

11:59 left, third quarter

On 3rd-and-4, Bears QB Justin Fields' pass intended for Tyler Scott is incomplete. Chicago K Cairo Santos buries a 22-yard field goal.

13:36 left, third quarter

Bears RB Khalil Herbert runs off the right guard for 35 yards and a first down at the Atlanta 3 yard line.

14:14 left, third quarter

Bears RB Khalil Herbert runs off the left guard for 9 yards.

14:54 left, third quarter

Chicago receives the kickoff to start the second half and begins at its own 25 yard line. Bears QB Justin Fields throws deep over the middle to WR D.J. Moore for 28 yards and a first down.

Bears 21, Falcons 7 − Halftime

Bears player stats, halftime leaders

According to NFL.com:

• Justin Fields: 13-of-17 passing for 166 yards and a touchdown; 6 carries for 21 yards and a touchdown.

• Khalil Herbert: 8 carries for 32 yards and a touchdown; 2 receptions for 5 yards.

• Rocshon Johnson: 2 carries for 2 yards and a touchdown; 1 reception for 24 yards.

• Velus Jones: 1 carry for 2 yards.

• D.J. Moore: 5 receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown.

• Robert Tonyan: 3 receptions for 40 yards.

• Tyler Scott: 2 receptions for 15 yards.

Falcons player stats, halftime leaders

According to NFL.com:

• Taylor Heinicke: 4-of-11 passing for 125 yards, a touchdown and an interception; 3 carries for 22 yards.

• Bijan Robinson: 8 carries for 30 yards.

• Tyler Allgeier: 1 carry for 5 yards; 1 reception for 75 yards and a touchdown.

• Drake London: 3 reception for 50 yards.

Bears 21, Falcons 7 − End of second quarter

:35 left, second quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields is sacked for a 2-yard loss on 3rd-and-8 by DT David Onyemata and LB Bud Dupree. Chicago K Cairo Santos misses 55-yard FG short. Atlanta DB Dee Alford returns kick 96 yards to Chicago's 13 yard line to end the first half.

1:02 left, second quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields' pass short left is incomplete.

1:10 left, second quarter

On 3rd-and-8, Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke's pass intended for Drake London is intercepted by Bears LB T.J. Edwards. Chicago takes over at Atlanta's 37 yard line.

1:40 left, second quarter

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson runs off left guard for 2 yards.

2:36 left, second quarter

On 3rd-and-3, Bears QB justin Fields is sacked for a 9-yard loss by Atlanta LB Kaden Elliss. Chicago is forced to punt. The Falcons take over at their own 27 yards.

2:36 left, second quarter

Bears RB Khalil Herbert runs for 1 yard off the left guard, taking the game into the 2-minute warning.

3:06 left, second quarter

Bears RB Khalil Herbert gains 6 yards off the left guard.

3:15 left, second quarter

Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke pss to WR KhaDarel Hodge is dropped. Atlanta is forced to punt. Chicago takes over at its own 30 yard line.

4:01 left, second quarter

Atlanta starts at its own 25 yard line. Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke pass incomplete deep to WR Drake London.

4:06 left, second quarter

Bears RB Rocshon Johsnon runs off the right guard for a 2-yard touchdown.

4:54 left, second quarter

On 4th-and-1, Bears QB Justin Fields picks up 1 yard up the middle for the first down.

5:23 left, second quarter

On 3rd-and-1, Bears RB Rocshon Johnson runs for no gain. Atlanta DT Albert Huggins is injured on the play.

7:37 left, second quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields hits TE Robert Tonyan for 24 yards and a first down at the Atlanta 12 yard line.

8:25 left, second quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields connects with WR Tyler Scott short right for 16 yards and a first down.

9:06 left, second quarter

Bears RB Khalil Herbert runs off the left tackle for 12 yards and a first down at the Chicago 48 yard line.

9:47 left, second quarter

On 3rd-and-7, Bears QB Justin Fields finds WR D.J. Moore for 9 yards and a first down.

10:26 left, second quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields dumps the ball over the middle to Khalil Herbert for no gain.

11:08 left, second quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields runs off the left tackle for 2 yards.

11:14 left, second quarter

On 3rd-and-8, Falcons QB Tyler Heinicke sacked for no loss by Bears DL Gervon Dxter Sr. Atlanta is forced to punt. Chicago takes over at its own 25 yard line.

12:37 left, second quarter

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson gains 2 yards off the right tackle.

12:44 left, second quarter

On 3rd-and-10, Bears QB Justin Fields finds TE Robert Tonyan for 6 yards. Chicago is forced to punt. Atlanta takes over at its own 28 yard line.

13:55 left, second quarter

Bears RB Khalil Herbert runs off the left guard for no gain.

14:00 left, second quarter

Chicago starts at its own 25 yard line. Bears QB Justin Fields's screen pass to Khalil Herbert is incomplete.

14:14 left, second quarter

Atlanta begins the drive for its own 25 yard line. Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke tosses a screen pass right to RB Tyler Allgeier for 75 yards and a touchdown.

14:20 left, second quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields scrambles around the left guard for 9 yards and a touchdown.

15:00 left, second quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields finds TE Robert Tonyan for 10 yards to the Atlanta 9 yard line.

Bears 7, Falcons 0 − End of first quarter

:20 left, first quarter

Bears RB Khalil Herbert runs for 3 yards off the left end to close the first quarter.

:56 left, first quarter

Bears WR Velus Jones runs for 2 yards off the right tackle for a first down. Atlanta DE Zah harrison was injured on the play.

1:36 left, first quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields scrambles around the left end for 9 yards.

2:15 left, first quarter

On 3rd-and-7, Bears QB Justin Fields passes deep left to DJ. Moore for 32 yards and a first down at the Atlanta 33 yard line.

2:52 left, first quarter

Bears QB Justin Fields runs for 3 yards off he right end.

3:17 left, first quarter

Bears take over at their own 32 yard line. Chicago RB Khalil Herbert settles for no gain off the right tackle.

3:22 left, first quarter

On 3rd-and-5, Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke's pass deep left to Van Jefferson is incomplete. Atlanta K Younghoe Koo's 42-yard field goal attempt hits the left upright and is no good.

4:50 left, first quarter

Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier runs for 5 yardsoff the left guard.

5:38 left, first quarter

Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke finds WR Drake London dep over the middle for 20 yards and a first down.

6:20 left, first quarter

On 2nd-and-5, Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke scrambles off the right guard for 7 yards and a first down at the CHicago 48 yard line.

6:48 left, first quarter

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson runs off the right tackle for a 5-yard gain. Bears DB Tyrique Stevenson was injured on the play.

7:28 left, first quarter

On 3rd-and-5, Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke scrambles around the right end for 10 yards and a first down.

8:07 left, first quarter

On 2nd-and-10, Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke scrambles around the right end for 5 yards.

8:47 left, first quarter

Atlanta starts from its own 25 yard line. RB Bijan Robinson runs off the elft end for no gain.

8:52 left, first quarter

On 3rd-and-goal, Bears QB Justin Fields drops a pass into the left corner of the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown to WR D.J. Moore.

10:51 left, first quarter

On 3rd-and-9 after a Chicago false start penalty, Bears QB Justin Fields passes short right to Rochson Johnson for 24 yards and a first down at the Atlanta 3 yard line.

11:53 left, first quarter

On 2nd-and-10, Chicago RB Khlail Herbert runs for 6 yards off the right end.

12:20 left, first quarter

Bears take over at their own 31 yard line. Chicago QB Justin Fields throws deep right to WR D.J. Moore for 32 yards and a first down.

12:24 left, first quarter

On 3rd-and-10, Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke finds Drake London with a short pass over the middle for 8 yards. Atlanta K Younghoe Koo is short on a 50-yard firled goal attmept.

14:28 left, first quarter

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson runs around the right end for 21 yards and a first down.]

15:00 left, first quarter

Atlanta wins the coin toss and elects to receive. Falcons start at their own 25 yard line. Atlanta QB Taylor Heinicke connects with Drake London for 22 yards.

Bears-Falcons NFL Week 17 Pregame

Chicago Bears inactives vs. Atlanta Falcons

• Ja'Tyre Carter, OL

• D'Onta Foreman, RB

• DeMarquis Gates, LB

• Quindell Johnson, DB

• Darnell Mooney, WR

• Nathan Peterman, QB

Atlanta Falcons inactives vs. Chicago Bears

• John FitzPatrick, TE

• Joe Gaziano, DL

• Jovaughn Gwyn, OL

• John Leglue, OL

• Tommy Togiai, DL

• Logan Woodside, QB

Can Bears make playoffs?

The Chicago Bears have less than a 1 % chance to make the NFL playoffs in 2023, accoring to NFL.com. The odds aren't in their favor as Chicago has to win the final two games of the season to even have a chance. Visit pjstar.com to see what has to happen for the Bears to make the playoffs.

Can Bears make 2023 NFL playoffs? Sure, but Chicago will need a lot of help

How to watch Bears-Falcons football game today on New Year's Eve?

The battle between the Chicago Bears (6-9) and the Atlanta Falcons (7-8) at Soldier Field will be aired on CBS.

What time is Bears game vs. Falcons today on New Year's Eve?

Kickoff is scheduled for Noon CT.

Bears vs. Cardinals game recap: Chicago's Justin Fields, Khalil Herbert run past Cardinals, 27-16

What are Falcons vs. Bears odds for New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 2023?

Here are the odds from BetMGM Sportsbook:

• Against the spread (ATS): Falcons +2.5 (-105) | Bears -2.5 (-115)

• Moneyline (ML): Falcons +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Bears -150 (bet $150 to win $100)

• Over/Under (O/U): 38 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Falcons-Bears predictions for NFL Week 17 on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 2023

Chicago is 3-1 over the last four games and could very easily have been undefeated if not for a last-minute collapse to Cleveland. Meanwhile, the quarterback carousel of 9-year veteran Taylor Heinicke and second-year QB Desmond Ridder has one 1-2 over the last three games but are coming off a 29-10 win against the Colts behind Heinicke. The Indianapolis win doesn't seem to matter to most of the experts who overwhlemingly favor the Bears at Soldier Field. Of the 53 expert predictions, the Bears were an overhwleming favorite, 43-10.

Here is a look at expert predictions for the Falcons-Bears matchup.

Chicago Bears schedule 2023

• Week 18: TBD — at Green Bay Packers, TBD, TBD.

For the Bears' complete schedule, visit chicagobears.com/schedule.

Chris Sims is a digital producer for the Journal Star. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Bears-Falcons game recap: Justin Fields, Chicago defense fuel 37-17 win