The Chicago Bears got a convincing win over the former head coach Matt Eberflus, now the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, downing their NFC rival 33-19 in Week 3. Most encouragingly, it was an all-around effort, including from quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams completed 67.8% of his passes for 298 yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and 0 sacks taken against the Cowboys.
According to one teammate, it was a significant moment in Williams’ development.
Bears QB Caleb Williams Takes Significant Step in Win Over Cowboys
Caleb Williams’ Eyes in Right Place as Bears Beat Cowboys
Williams did not meet the efficiency standard that Bears head coach Ben Johnson set for him – 70% completion – at least not in the first half. Williams completed 10 of 16 passes for 239 yards and 3 of his TDs before the break.
After halftime, Williams was 9-for-12 for 59 yards and 1 touchdown. He also led the Bears on a 19-play, 76-yard drive in the third quarter. It took nearly 10 minutes off the clock.
Olamide Zaccheaus agreed it was an important day for his young QB.
“It’s huge,” Zaccheaus told Clocker Sports after the game when asked how significant the showing was for Williams’ development. “Obviously, played pretty good today. So, we all have things that we need to fix and work on. But at the end of the day, look at the win, look at the film, correct those things.”
Zaccheaus was around Washington Commanders star Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick behind Williams in 2024. So, he is well aware of the signs of growth from young quarterbacks like the Bears’ passer.
He also added 12 yards on five carries, but it was his eyes that were the most impressive aspect of Williams’ big day.
Williams found eight different receivers in the win, and he made good reads even when he missed throws.
Bears Get Banner Day from QB1
Williams connected with his top four wideouts, TE1 and TE2, and his starting and No. 1 backup running back. He threw his touchdowns to four different receivers. Cole Kmet, DJ Moore, Luther Burden III, and Rome Odunze all found paydirt in the contest.
Williams had four 290-plus-yard passing games as a rookie. He had one game in which he threw 4 TD passes. He did not do both in the same game.
Even in his four-score contest, Williams tossed an interception.
As for hitting Johnson’s desired efficiency mark, Williams played five games in which he finished over that 70% threshold last season. He had another outing that saw him complete 69% of his throws. In other words, he is fully capable of living up to Johnson’s expectations.
Caleb Williams Gets Honest About DJ Moore’s TD
Moore’s touchdown was noteworthy. The Bears’ undisputed No. 1 wide receiver in 2023, and even in 2024, he has seen Odunze assume the mantle, at least early on, as Williams’ top target in the passing game.
The Bears have utilized Moore as a running back, and he had a season-high 66 yards in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings.
But he had yet to cross the goal line until Sunday.
“We want all of our guys to be able to get going and feel the juice, the energy, the momentum that we want to have on offense. And so, being able to get our guy, DJ, the ball, and definitely score – I know that feels good for him – and feels good for me. I was super excited for him. Gave him kind of a hug like I was going to give him a noogie,” Williams told Clocker Sports.
“It’s super exciting to be able to spread the ball around. That’s something I think I’ve prided myself on throughout my career, is being able to spread the ball around to my guys. And it’s not necessarily my job to be able to get them the ball in the sense of spreading around that much. Whoever’s open, I got to deliver. But I think I’ve done a good job over my career being able to spread the ball around and kind of keep all my wide receivers happy.”
Moore finished the day with four receptions for 21 yards, but he said postgame he was happy to get his first score of the season.
“They do a good job out there blocking,” Williams said. “There’s 70 plays, and those receivers may get five, six targets. So, being able to have those moments, and being able to have those guys scoring, and keep that momentum going with those guys, and building the momentum and trust, and all of those things. So, it’s important to be able to get all of our guys the ball.
“[I’m] happy for DJ.”
As happy as Williams and the Bears should be about the offense’s performance, they had to love what they saw from their defense.
Bears’ Offense Capitalized on Defense’s Big Day
The Bears forced the Cowboys into 4 turnovers, intercepting Cowboys QB Dak Prescott twice and getting his backup, Joe Milton, once. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was on the receiving end of Prescott’s picks.
Safety Kevin Byard got the turnover off Milton.
One week after getting 52 points dropped on them by the Detroit Lions, the Bears surrendered 14 points to what was the NFL’s fifth-ranked scoring offense entering the contest. They pitched a shutout in the second half. They also sacked Prescott twice, with Dominique Robinson and Montez Sweat getting home on Prescott.
The Bears will travel to face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4. However, they will do so with a convincing win in their back pocket.