Hang it in the Louvre.
Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears did more than escape with a victory in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals. They snatched the win back after letting what seemed to be a sure-fire thing get in jeopardy.
Most importantly, after having an inconsistent day, Williams stepped up and delivered when the team needed it the most.
Bears QB Caleb Williams Delivers Signature Win vs Bengals
Caleb Williams Hits Bears’ Biggest Play in Crunchtime
Williams and the Bears’ offense began the game behind, with the Bengals scoring on the opening kickoff. The second-year QB finished with 280 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, adding 22 yards and 1 TD on the first two receptions of his career.
He was 2-for-4 for 58 yards and 1 score in the fourth quarter.
That score wound up being the game-winner, a 58-yarder to rookie tight end and first-round pick Colston Loveland.
Last season, Williams and the Bears were 3-7 in one-score games. Many of those saw the former No. 1 overall pick give his team the lead or drive them in position for it, only to have a special teams or defensive gaffe cost them.
This season, they are 3-1 in such contests and have looked impressive in their wins.
Five Bears skill players caught a pass, and seven drew targets, excluding Williams from both counts.
Both Williams and Bears head coach acknowledged there was plenty for them to clean up, but neither was willing to overlook the win in the immediate aftermath. Williams’ showing also came amid a career day from his Bengals counterpart.
The Bears surrendered 15 points in less than one minute, conceding the lead right along with it, as Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco passed for a career-high 470 yards on 65.9% completion.
The Bears led. But with 17 seconds remaining, it was eerily similar to another 2024 situation.
Bears Shake Another 2024 Bugaboo
Then, it was Week 8 against the Washington Commanders, and Jayden Daniels found Noah Brown on a Hail Mary as Tyrique Stevenson scrambled into the play late. The Bears got redemption for that loss, defeating the Commanders in Week 6 of this season.
However, they won that game on a last-second field goal by Jake Moody, exorcising another one of their 2024 demons.
This time, on 1st down with the Bengals at their own 48, the Bears did things differently.
Instead of sending three after Flacco, like the old coaching staff did against Daniels, the Bears blitzed Flacco. The pressure moved him off his spot, forced a pass that would have been well short of what the Bengals needed, and resulted in an interception.
Despite the passing yardage allowed, the Bears sacked Flacco three times, intercepted him twice, and forced him to fumble the ball back to them.
Dealing with numerous injuries on the front and back ends, the Bears will surely take it.
There are just a few days before the 2025 trade deadline. The Bears, who sit at 5-3 and behind the Detroit Lions for second place in the NFC North due to their head-to-head loss, could be a team to watch for cornerback and defensive line help.