Williams throws for 279 yards, four interceptions in Bears' narrow win
The quarterback completed a 38-yard pass to Colston Loveland with seconds left to set up the game-winning field goal against Tampa Bay.
By Lucas Collins ·
Caleb Williams threw four interceptions in a 27-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night. It was the first time in his career, including his high school and college years, that he had a game with that many turnovers. Despite the mistakes, the Chicago Bears quarterback finished with 279 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Williams completed 22 of 37 passes during the contest. Tampa Bay blitzed the Bears' signal caller throughout the game, causing an early 14-0 lead for Chicago to disappear. Williams threw three interceptions on four of Chicago's next possessions. All three picks occurred in the second quarter. A fourth turnover came late in the third quarter when linebacker Alex Anzalone picked off a tipped ball while the Bears led 17-13.
The Bears took a 24-13 lead heading into the fourth quarter after scoring a defensive touchdown. The margin eroded when wide receiver Luther Burden fumbled the ball. Tampa Bay tied the game with 2:51 remaining. Bucky Irving ran for a six-yard touchdown, and Baker Mayfield converted on a two-point play to level the score.
Williams drove the team into field goal range in the final seconds. He connected with Colston Loveland on a 38-yard pass. Cairo Santos kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired to secure the win. It marked the Bears' seventh victory of the season.
"I'm going to throw until I can't throw anymore," Williams said. "I could throw 100 picks in one game. If it comes down to it, I'm going to throw that pass that I did to Colston, or if it's tighter window, I'm going to rip it in there. That's how I grew up. That's who I am. I don't get gun-shy. That's not me, that's not my identity, that's not who I am."
Bears head coach Ben Johnson noted that the team has faced this specific fourth-quarter scenario rarely this year. He stated that the win proved the roster is prepared for high-pressure situations. "We really haven't been in that situation where in the fourth quarter with little time left, needing to go and field goal, touchdown, whatever that is," Johnson said.
This was only the third time since 2000 that the Chicago Bears won a game while committing five turnovers.
