Caleb Williams’ post-game reaction after Week 11 shows the exact kind of mindset he needs to have after another close win
He should be happy with the result but frustrated by the process.
The Chicago Bears pulled off another thrilling late-game win on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings that ended with a walk-off field goal by kicker Cairo Santos.
With the win, the Bears took sole possession of first place in the NFC North with seven games left to be played this season, and it was the team’s fifth win of the season in which it trailed with under two minutes left.
The Cardiac Bears are a real thing, and no one will apologize for winning in this league. At the same time, the Bears know they can get better and will need to before the rest of the league treats them as a legit playoff contender. And quarterback Caleb Williams’ reaction after Santos nailed the game-winning field goal tells you everything you need to know.
Bears need to start putting teams away and avoiding last-minute comeback drives
With the win on Sunday, Williams became the first quarterback in Bears franchise history to lead five different four-quarter comebacks in a single season. It’s a historic feat and speaks volumes to the kind of team the Bears are this season when a game gets close and time is still on the clock.
But the message remains the same. The Bears are determined to find a way to put teams away and prevent games from getting so close before the magic runs out.
“When there’s blood in the water, when the defense turns the ball over for us and we get the ball back, we’ve got to put up seven points,” Williams said. “When they get three-and-outs, we’ve got to put up 7 points. And that’s a mindset and a belief that we have to grow toward and get better at.”
Looking back at the game, Chicago scored just nine points in the second half, and the only fourth-quarter points scored came from a three-point field goal to win it. The Bears’ second-half drives ended in: field goal, field goal, punt, missed field goal, punt, and field goal. Meanwhile, Minnesota scored two touchdowns in the final quarter and took the lead with under a minute remaining.
The Bears failed to capitalize on two first-half takeaways, scoring a total of three points on the following drives, and finished the game seven of 18 on third down. In the fourth quarter, up 16-3, Williams was two of six passing and took two sacks, stalling any hope of putting the game away early.
Williams is absolutely correct, and it’s something he and head coach Ben Johnson have been preaching for weeks. When blood is in the water, the Bears need to deliver the final blow to teams. But, again, wins are wins, and the Bears are continuing to stack them at the right time.
“Something that I’ve spoken about before: living in the known,” Williams added. “It doesn’t matter when; it doesn’t matter how; it doesn’t matter who. We’ve got the guys; we’ve got the coaches. We live in the known. And so when our moment comes, when their moment comes, whoever it is on the team, we’ll make the play.”
Eventually, the Bears will execute the kind of win this team envisions having by blowing out an opponent and slamming the door shut early with all three phases coming together. The next opportunity will come on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Chicago Bears News
Bears Playoff Picture: Chicago still has one thing left to prove before the team can be treated like a true contender
The Chicago Bears continue to rise up the standings after Week 11.
