Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears are 6-3 this season after defeating the New York Giants 24-20 in Week 10 at Soldier Field. They are 4-1 in one-score games after being 3-7 in 2024, and they have not lost such an outing since their fourth-quarter collapse in the regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
So, you will have to forgive these Bears for not apologizing for eeking out victories as they figure out who they are on both sides of the ball.
That is, beyond being resilient.
Bears Unapologetic About Close Wins After Defeating Giants
Close-Game Prowess Becoming Bears’ Trademark
Nothing is ever perfect, but the Bears’ offense looked downright dysfunctional for long stretches on Sunday, failing to capitalize on defensive stands or Giants QB Jaxson Dart leaving early with a concussion, or build off much from their win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9.
The Bears scored the first touchdown of the game. They would not score again until the third quarter, after the Giants had tallied 17 unanswered points to take a 17-7 lead.
They trailed by 10 points with just over four minutes remaining in the game.
Then, the fourth quarter came and, as Williams told NBC Sports’ Chris Simms during an interview from the Bears locker room, “it was time to nut up or shut up.” Williams and the Bears scored 14 points, finally capitalizing on their defense’s ability to do just as their QB said was required.
“It does build confidence that we can – it doesn’t matter the deficit we’re at, it doesn’t matter how much we’re up, it doesn’t matter what happened throughout the game – that we can come through as a team,” Williams told reporters during his media availability after the win on Sunday. “That’s what we did today.”
Bears Battled Back … Again
After the Giants went up 20-10, and the Bears turned the ball over on downs on the ensuing possession, Chicago’s defense forced a punt. The offense then scored a touchdown.
Williams found Rome Odunze for a 2-yarder after scrambling 29 yards to set it up.
Then, the Bears’ defense forced another punt, this one shanked 26 yards by Giants punter Jamie Gillan, leading to another TD drive in which Williams found paydirt himself on a 17-yard scramble. Williams finished with 220 yards and 1 touchdown on 55.6% completion, avoiding throwing any interceptions or taking any sacks.
In the fourth quarter, Williams was 5-for-10 for 77 yards and the score.
He added another 63 yards on eight carries, including the game-winning score. This season, Williams has led the Bears to four game-winning drives. He had one all of last season.
Some of that was because the Bears’ defense or special teams let him and the offense down. Williams and the Bears are getting the desired outcomes this season, albeit in cardiac fashion. They are far from satisfied, though, knowing how much production they are still leaving on the field.
Bears Determined, Not Satisfied
Williams admitted that the Bears would like to resolve their offensive woes sooner in games. However, he also showed extreme confidence in their ability to overcome the odds.
The Bears “know who we are.”
“We know we’re real. We know that some of the issues we had today were just – there may have been a drop here, may have been a drop there in certain moments. And it’s – those are frustrating moments. But it’s something that – those moments happen. And so, you don’t waver, you don’t lose the confidence. You stay right where you are. You understand that those moments are going to happen, you keep trying to lead your guys,” Williams said.
“Then from there, when it hits, you just keep harping on that. ‘Here we go.’ We had a few drops towards the end, and you don’t put those guys down. You don’t go over and curse them out or anything like that. You encourage them that, ‘It’s time to make a play, and I need y’all. I need y’all right here, right now. It’s time to go win a game.”
Up next, Williams and the Bears will visit the Vikings for the rematch in Week 11.