LONDON — It was easy to predict a breakout game was coming for Keenan Allen.

The Bears wide receiver has been healthy for two weeks now after resting to get plantar fasciitis under control, and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams definitely developed an early connection with the veteran, targeting him 11 times in the season opener.

So Allen’s two-touchdown game in Sunday’s 35-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars felt like it was due. His five receptions for 41 yards were to be expected and, more importantly, when you should have expected them.

One point general manager Ryan Poles made when explaining the March trade to acquire the 12th-year veteran for a fourth-round pick and pay him $23 million for one season was the value Allen would provide on third down.

Allen has made a career — one that eventually might land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame — getting open in the middle of the field and doing it consistently on third down. Three of his receptions came on third down to move the sticks. One came on fourth down. The fifth was a touchdown reception on second down.

Even when Allen is covered, he has a way of using his frame to shield off the defender, create a window for the quarterback and do that in the middle of the field. It happened Sunday against cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Montaric Brown and safety Darnell Savage.

“Third down, you know, a lot of opportunities out there just because they are going to be playing man coverage,” Allen said. “You’ve just got to find a way to get open. That’s what I do.”

Bears coach Matt Eberflus had seen it before from the other side. He knows what it’s like.

“He’s always open, that guy,” Eberflus said. “I’ve tried to double-cover him in front, behind, sideways, doesn’t work. He’s always open. He’s an exciting player.”

Tight end Gerald Everett doesn’t marvel at what Allen does any longer. They played together with the Los Angeles Chargers.

“This is a small glimpse,” Everett said. “The game was kind of a blowout in the second half. He’s shown what he’s been showing forever. I used to check out Keenan’s college highlights when I was a teenager. Watching him now, it’s no secret and it’s no surprise when you watch his preparation, how he comes to work every day. When you develop repetition it just becomes habit.”

Allen, who lives in Southern California, showed up at USC in March for Williams’ pro day. He knew the Bears would be there in force, knew there was a good chance they would draft Williams and wanted to show support.

“He’s been like a big brother to me,” Williams said of their bond. “He’s been special from our relationship and then obviously he’s been special for many years (in the league). And so to have him on the team, his wisdom, his knowledge … stuff that he’s taught me, it’s great.

“So being able to get him two touchdowns today, I know we’ve been just super close. First game of the year, we threw a ball and we didn’t connect. The Rams game, threw a ball to the seam. It wasn’t a seam route but threw a ball to the seam and (he) got held. So we’ve been super close. To be able to get two touchdowns for him today, you know, it’s pretty sweet.”

It’s hard to say who will have a big game on a week-to-week basis. The Bears have options with DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze. Williams won’t have to force the ball in one direction. But the timing just made it feel like Allen was due Sunday, and the matchups — linebacker Devin Lloyd in the middle of the field and the fade Williams saw to check out of a called run — were easy looks.

“As a quarterback, I don’t think you need to look at one person versus if you have like a Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison (in Minnesota) and the rest are guys — no disrespect to those guys,” Williams said. “But you’ve got Justin Jefferson, you’ve got to get him the ball every damn play. We’ve got guys you can get the ball to. So it is what it is.”