After replacing Tyson Bagent to start the Bears’ second drive of the game, Rypien threw three touchdown passes on four possessions, including two to Johnson.
Rypien exited with 9:41 left in the third quarter after completing 11 of 15 passes for 166 yards with three touchdowns and a sparkling 148.9 passer rating.
Johnson caught three passes for 56 yards—TD receptions of 20 and nine yards and a sensational leaping 27-yard catch over cornerback Mike Ford.
The game was suspended with 3:31 remaining in the third period due to severe weather, which included heavy rain and lightning that forced players and fans to clear Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
The postponement came about 35 minutes later.
“The NFL made the right move there with the lightning in the area,” Eberflus said.
Rypien created some electricity of his own. But Eberflus wasn’t surprised with how well the sixth-year pro performed given his background with Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
Rypien spent three weeks with the Seahawks late last season when Waldron served in the same role in Seattle.
“He’s been in this offense,” Eberflus said. “He knows the offense well.
He’s heard the verbiage. He understands the concepts and you can see that.
He definitely understands the space that needs to be occupied by the receivers and how they get open.
You could see that today. He was throwing guys open.
