Caleb Williams has drawn plenty of attention for his late-game heroics in each of the Chicago Bears’ last two wins.
This week, Williams and the Bears travel to face the Minnesota Vikings. The same Vikings who defeated them with a 21-point fourth-quarter rally on “Monday Night Football” in Week 1. It will be a challenge, but one Williams has experienced.
Likewise, the Vikings know very well what Williams can do.
Bears Caleb Williams Draws Telling Take From Vikings Coach
Vikings Well Aware of Bears QB Caleb Williams
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who was among the list of potential head coaching candidates for the Bears this past offseason, before they hired Ben Johnson, spoke with the local media ahead of practice on Tuesday. Flores offered high praise for Williams ahead of the rematch against their NFC North rivals, the Bears.
“He’s proven that, in those moments, he’s come up big multiple times. Looks like he thrives in those moments. Which, for a young quarterback, is certainly an area that you want to see. And for us, we know that if it comes down to those moments, which most games in the NFL do, we’ve got to be at our best. Because he’s going to be at his best, and they’re going to be at their best,” Flores told reporters on November 11.
“It’s a division game. So, that’s probably what it’s going to be. So, we know it’s going to be a 60-minute battle. We’ve got to prepare the right. Hey, it’s going to be a big challenge.”
Williams threw for 210 yards and 1 touchdown on 60% completion in the first meeting.
He was also sacked once, and that is where the game could hinge on Sunday. The Vikings (4-5) are two games behind the Bears (6-3) in the division standings. But the Bears could have a chance to claim first place from the Detroit Lions.
Detroit faces the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11. They have the same record, but own first place thanks to the tie-breaker of their win over the Bears in Week 2.
The Bears will see the Lions again in Week 18, but they have their hands full with the Vikings.
Vikings’ Aggressiveness Key Factor for Caleb Williams
According to Pro Football Reference, the Vikings again lead the NFL in blitz rate, which is a polarizing reality for Williams.
Like most QBs, particularly young ones, Williams’ worst efficiency comes when he is blitzed (53.8%) and under duress (40%), per Pro Football Focus. Conversely, he has completed 64% of his passes when not blitzed and 69.2% when he is kept clean.
However, Williams has thrown 8 touchdowns to 0 interceptions against the blitz.
Moreover, only one of his 4 INTs on the season has come when he has faced additional rushers or been pressured.
There is another factor Williams has going for him, one that he has increasingly taken advantage of in recent weeks, and that is his legs. Williams utilized his legs to the tune of 58 yards against the Vikings in the first meeting.
Repeating that while also showcasing his improvements in the passing attack would be huge.
The Bears are off to their best start since the 2018 season. That season, they won the NFC North and earned a playoff berth at 12-4. Williams is 0-3 against the Vikings with a 741-4-0 line on 62.8% completion in his young career. Notching his first victory could have as much symbolic significance as it would in the standings.