Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, this year’s No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, got his first career win on Sunday as the Bears defeated the Tennessee Titans by the score of 24-17 after rallying from a 17-0 deficit.
While all the attention was on Williams, the Bears’ defense and special teams pulled Chicago to victory by forcing three turnovers and scoring a touchdown. Special teams also added a touchdown off a blocked punt.
Caleb Williams was the centerpiece of the Bears’ struggles on offense. The Bears turned over Titans quarterback Will Levis three times, its offense generated three field goals.
Williams staggered through for the game to finish with 93 passing yards while completing 14-of-29 passes. If there are any positives, he protected the ball for the most part and didn’t force anything. He showed maturity for a young quarterback.
First quarter struggles
At times, the Titans’ defense forced him to overthink with interior pressure barreling at him. It could have been nerves, but Williams’ shakiness allowed the Titans to strike first.
Williams couldn’t connect with Bears top wide receiver DJ Moore. The two only had a one-yard pass to show. That lack of connection added nerves to the situation. On Chicago’s second offensive drive, Williams took a dreadful 19-yard sack at the hands of Titans defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day.
Meanwhile, the Titans jumped out to an early 17-0 lead. Tony Pollard scored a touchdown followed by a field goal, Then Titans quarterback Will Levis connected with former Maryland Terrapins tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo for a touchdown with 3:50 remaining in the second quarter.
Drive ahead of halftime gave Bears life
Williams settled down in tempo. He connected on his first three passes for 28 yards, finding Moore, rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze, and tight end Cole Kmet. The drive stalled at Tennessee’s six-yard line but Chicago got a much-needed field goal to go into the locker room at halftime.
As the Chicago offense searched for their footing, the defense seized control of the game in the second half. After a stop, the special teams showed up, as defensive end Daniel Hardy blocked a Titans’ punt. Jonathan Owens, husband of Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, scooped the football up before running it in for a touchdown.
Momentum shifted to the Bears, but the offense still sputtered. Yet, Williams gave a spark, converting a 3rd-and-10 with his legs. He rolled left and found a lane to run through to keep the drive alive. Chicago settled for a field goal and cut the deficit to 17-13.
Chicago’s defense then got back-to-back turnovers. The first was a strip-sack of Levis by defensive end Darrell Taylor, which led to another Bears field goal to cut the gap to one.
On the Titans’ next possession, Levis got picked off by cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who took the interception to pay dirt for the go-ahead touchdown.
The Bears’ defense intercepted Levis a second time to seal the game with just over one minute remaining.
There were flashes of Caleb Williams
Williams became the first No. 1 overall quarterback to win in his debut since 2002. The game didn’t go as planned, but a win is a win.
Williams threw incompletions on deep passes. His accuracy down the field was shaky. However, he was able to complete short-yard passes. He was mobile and fluid, avoiding immediate pressure.
Williams didn’t risk turnovers, throwing the ball out of bounds instead of forcing it into coverage. He got the ball out of his hands and also grasped the importance of sliding.
There’s an adjustment stage for Williams. He faced a Titans defense that expects to be good this year. Williams has weapons at his disposal — Moore, Odunze, and Kennan Allen, as well as Kmet and D’Andre Swift out of the backfield.
He showed his potential in flashes during the preseason. Still, he has to be more consistent with throwing windows shrunk. Williams may be tested again next week with the trip to play the Houston Texans, who have the reigning NFL Rookie of the Year, CJ Stroud, at quarterback.
