‘100 Picks In One Game’: Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams Won’t Get Gun-Shy After Four-Interception Win Over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CHICAGO — Four interceptions in Sunday night’s 27-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field won’t change how Caleb Williams plays, the Chicago Bears quarterback said afterward. The winning points came on Cairo Santos’ 38-yard field goal as time expired.
Williams had never thrown that many in one game at any level, college and high school included, per NFL Research. He hadn’t turned the ball over in his previous three games. Chicago is 7-2 and unbeaten in the four games since he returned from a hamstring injury.
If a throw comes down to a tight window, Williams said, he is putting it in there. That is how he grew up, and getting gun-shy isn’t who he is. “I could throw 100 picks in one game,” he said.
Once the play call comes in, Williams said, his job is to go make a play. “I’m going to keep grippin’ it, keep rippin’ it,” the third-year quarterback said.
Rome Odunze And Luther Burden III Scored On Chicago Bears’ First Two Drives
Chicago scored on its first two possessions. Williams found a wide-open Rome Odunze for a 9-yard touchdown on the opening drive. Luther Burden III then turned a third-and-8 catch into a 56-yard touchdown that made it 14-0 with 6:00 left in the first quarter.
Each of the Bears’ next two possessions ended with an interception. Williams threw three of his four in the second quarter. Tampa Bay scored on each side of halftime. Chicago led 17-13 when his fourth interception, a deflected pass, landed with linebacker Alex Anzalone with 4:32 left in the third quarter.
On the next play, cornerback Jaylon Johnson stepped in front of a Baker Mayfield pass and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown and a 24-13 lead. It was Johnson’s first interception of the season and the second pick-six of his career.
Williams said the Buccaneers stuck with one blitz because it was working. “I’m just trying to get the ball out and try to be the big eraser,” he said.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tied It Before Cairo Santos’ Winning Kick
Chicago led 24-16 when Burden fumbled with 3:38 left after a hit that gave him a concussion. Tampa Bay returned it to the Bears 17. Two plays later, the Buccaneers were in the end zone. Mayfield ran in the 2-point conversion to tie it 24-24 with 2:51 left.
On the final drive, Williams found an uncovered Colston Loveland for 38 yards, and Loveland was pushed out of bounds at the Tampa Bay 16 with 40 seconds left. “Colston ran a great route, he ended up getting wide open,” Williams added.
That completion was his last of the night and left him 22-of-37 for 279 yards with 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He also ran 5 times for 16 yards. Santos kicked the winner after two kneel-downs. On the Tampa Bay side, coach Todd Bowles spoke about the coverage on Loveland. “We busted. Shouldn’t happen,” Bowles said.
Bears coach Ben Johnson said his team had rarely been in a spot this season where it needed points late in the fourth quarter. He felt as calm calling plays on the last drive as he had all game. “They know that we didn’t play as well as we’re capable of playing,” Johnson said.
Chicago won for the third time since 2000 while committing at least five turnovers, according to NFL Research. The other two came in 2006, when the Bears reached Super Bowl XLI. Burden finished with 7 catches for 97 yards before leaving with the concussion.
Both teams have their bye this week. Chicago hosts the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 22, and Tampa Bay (3-6) visits the Detroit Lions the same day.
