Sunday Morning’s Best: Gordon, Williams and Shough Lead the Early Slate

Kyler Gordon returned from a calf injury with three sacks and two forced fumbles, including the play that stopped Atlanta’s late comeback. Caleb Williams returned from a three-game hamstring absence with 305 passing yards. Together they put Chicago at the front of Sunday morning’s standout performances from the NFL’s seven early-window games on October 18.

Kyler Gordon: the sack Chicago needed

The Bears’ 31–23 victory was still in doubt when Gordon reached Michael Penix Jr. late in the fourth quarter. His strip-sack produced a fumble that Devin Bush recovered at the Atlanta 28, giving Chicago possession while protecting an eight-point lead. The Bears then ran out the clock.

Gordon’s other forced fumble had been recovered by Atlanta. His three sacks and two forced fumbles therefore included one Chicago takeaway, with the last sack arriving after the Falcons had cut a 31–7 deficit to one possession. It was a substantial return for a cornerback activated from the physically unable to perform list before the game. Game report.

Caleb Williams: accurate from the opening drive

Williams completed his first 12 passes for 142 yards before his first incompletion in the second quarter. The opening possession established the pattern: six completions in six attempts, 64 yards and a 14-yard touchdown pass to Colston Loveland.

He finished 30 of 36 for 305 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, completing 83.3% of his passes. Chicago also scored three rushing touchdowns, two by D’Andre Swift and one by Roschon Johnson. Williams supplied the passing production without needing a high-volume touchdown total to stand out. Final box score; watch his touchdown pass to Loveland.

Tyler Shough: four touchdowns, two ways

Shough accounted for four touchdowns in New Orleans’ 34–27 win over the Giants: passes to Bryce Lance, Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave, plus a one-yard rushing score. His passing yardage was modest, 144 on 16-of-30 throwing, but he added 32 yards on five carries and threw no interceptions.

His two-yard pass to Lance tied the game with one second left before halftime. All four Shough touchdowns came during the Saints’ run of 34 unanswered points after falling behind 10–0. Game report; watch his rushing touchdown.

Malik Nabers: 165 yards in defeat

Nabers caught 12 of his 15 targets for 165 yards against the Saints, including a 46-yard gain. He did not score a touchdown, and the Giants lost despite their late comeback. New York used both Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy at quarterback, with Nabers finishing the afternoon as a productive target despite the changes. Final box score.

Chuba Hubbard: 28 carries and 120 yards

Carolina gave Hubbard 28 carries in its 25–14 win at Philadelphia, and he turned them into 120 yards and a touchdown. His one-yard score early in the fourth quarter extended the Panthers’ lead to 19–7. He averaged 4.3 yards per attempt, with a longest run of 19 yards, building his total through repeated work rather than one breakaway. Final box score; watch his touchdown run.

Jamel Dean: six passes defended

Dean finished Pittsburgh’s 26–19 overtime win over Tampa Bay with six passes defended and an interception that he returned 40 yards. Dean also made four tackles. Pittsburgh’s winning score came on Aaron Rodgers’ six-yard overtime touchdown pass to Germie Bernard. Final box score.

Drake Maye: three more touchdown passes

Maye threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in New England’s 26–19 win over the Jets. He found Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas and Hunter Henry for scores, completing 18 of 32 passes. It was his third consecutive game with at least three touchdown passes, and the Patriots won despite losing three offensive linemen to injuries. Game report.

Jeffery Simmons and Joey Slye: Tennessee’s pressure and points

Simmons recorded two sacks, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in Tennessee’s 26–20 win over Indianapolis. Slye supplied 14 points, making all four field goals and both extra points. His 56-yarder was the longest of the four; his 49-yard kick with 2:03 left broke a 20–20 tie, and his 44-yarder with 43 seconds remaining added the final points. Final box score.