Caleb Williams Chicago Bears 27-24 win over Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Digi Mart USA News (Chicago): The NFL can change perception in a single week. After the Chicago Bears’ impressive road victory over the Seattle Seahawks last week, the team was the talk of the league, and quarterback Caleb Williams appeared to be making a push for the NFL MVP race.
That momentum was tested Sunday night at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Williams threw a career-high four interceptions, and Chicago committed five turnovers in total.
Still, the Bears never trailed, and they moved to 7-2 with a 27-24 win.
Tampa Bay tied the game at 24 with 2:51 left in the fourth quarter, ending a lead Chicago had held since its opening-drive touchdown. Williams then led a game-winning drive from his own 31-yard line.
A 38-yard pass to Colston Loveland down the left sideline moved the Bears into the red zone and within field goal range.
Cairo Santos made a 38-yard field goal as time expired, giving Chicago its fourth consecutive victory. Williams threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns, and the defense again played strongly.
The Buccaneers (3-6) converted just 2-for-12 on third-down attempts, and cornerback Jaylon Johnson returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown.
Williams threw three interceptions in the second quarter and another in the third, part of a 10-drive stretch in which Chicago’s offense scored just three points. “It’s frustrating,” Williams said of his miscues.
“Two of them, [I] tried to throw away. One of them, [I] made a dumb decision.
And then the last one, it got tipped up in the air.”
Entering Sunday, Williams had thrown just one interception all season. Since returning in Week 6 from a significant right hamstring injury, he had been playing at a high level over a three-game stretch, showing smarts, accuracy, poise and leadership.
Williams said he would not change his aggressive approach. “I’m going to throw until I can’t throw anymore,” he said.
“That’s how I live. I work my tail off to be in this position.
I’ll never not throw the ball.”
Within the Bears’ organization, general manager Ryan Poles has been credited for his belief in Williams, the quarterback he selected first overall in the 2024 NFL draft. Poles faced heavy criticism during Williams’ uneven rookie season, and skeptics suggested he had made a mistake.
Williams has since emerged as one of the league’s standout quarterbacks while other notable passers have struggled with injuries or inconsistent play.
Head coach Ben Johnson said he remained confident giving Williams the ball with the score tied and time running down. “We just get back on the horse and keep going,” Johnson said.
The Bears now have a bye week, and Williams has tape to review before the team resumes play.
