Everything seems to be slower and more difficult for the Bears than the rest of the NFL, and it’s been a grueling wait for quarterback Caleb Williams and their offense to get moving.

It also took a while on Sunday against the Rams, but after an aimless, dragging first half, they started to look a lot more like they imagined heading into the season. Williams fired darts downfield, D’Andre Swift swerved through the defense and the Bears pulled away for a 24-18 win at Soldier Field.

Nothing means more to the Bears than Williams’ progress, which will determine not only whether they achieve their short-term goal of making the playoffs, but also their grand ambition to escape eternal irrelevance. Although Williams still has a long way to go, he took an important step with his sharpest all-round game to date.

He compiled a modest statistical line of 17-for-23 passing, 157 yards, a touchdown and a passer rating of 106.6 and made big plays when the Bears were desperate for them.

Swift led the Bears in rushing with 93 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, plus he caught seven passes for 72 yards.

Here were the Bears’ inactives:

WR/RB Velus Jones
FB Khari Blasingame
OL Bill Murray
THE Dominique Robinson
C.B. Terrell Smith
DT Zach Pickens

The Bears and Rams both entered the game tied 1-2. The Bears won their opener against the Titans before dropping road games against the Texans and Colts.