The Chicago Bears were able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in their 27-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a game where it looked like it wouldn't be close after a dominant first quarter. But the Bears were tested after a rough showing from the offense, most notably quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams had the worst game of his three-year NFL career -- perhaps even his football career dating back to high school -- tossing four interceptions after a near-flawless first quarter that included a pair of touchdowns to wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. But it was all downhill after Odunze dropped a sure-fire touchdown and rookie receiver Zavion Thomas committed an egregious penalty on second-and-goal from the Bucs' 6-yard
line.
Todd Bowles made adjustments after Chicago's quick start, and the Tampa Bay defense brought the heat on Williams, which led to those four interceptions. After the game, Williams discussed exactly what happened with his four interceptions.
“I think the first one, just I got greedy," Williams said. "I think the other two, they got pressure through and when that happens – like I said earlier, I'm typically the big eraser. That's my identity. That's what I've been for when something happens, or they hit me with a pressure or anything like that. Being the big eraser in that situation whether that’s going out of bounds, making a play or anything like that. Those two, that didn't happen. And then the last one just popped the ball up in the air."
Despite Williams throwing four interceptions -- and the offense committing five turnovers as a whole -- the defense only allowed three points off those turnovers, which was the reason why they were able to escape with an ugly win.
“Shout out to the defense. Those boys played a hell of a game today. They made big plays," Williams said. "...They carried the load today. Like I said, I think it was last week or the week before, that's who we are. That's who we're going to be. When one side of the ball – we obviously want to be clicking all three, but when one side of the ball isn't clicking, we're going to step up, we're going to stand up for each other. And so, we did that today. The defense did that today."
The fact that the Bears were able to make a myriad of mistakes -- more penalties, five turnovers and totaling just one first down in six offensive series in the second half -- is a sign of a good football team. They're not dependent on just one side of the football. If the offense struggles, the defense rises to the challenge. And when the defense has a rough showing, the offense steps up. Now, just wait until they clean everything up.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears QB Caleb Williams explains what went wrong with 4 INTS vs. Bucs
