Caleb Williams and Bears didn’t snap losing streak vs. Packers. But did they snap out of their offensive rut?

With two minutes to play, the Chicago Bears trailed by one point.

Caleb Williams had posted his cleanest and most efficient game in weeks — until this drive, when the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft absorbed back-to-back sacks.

Now facing third-and-19 from his own 21, Williams knew how urgently his team needed him to make a play. He knew the minor reversion to holding the ball too long the previous two snaps hadn’t defined his day.

So why let it now?

Williams dropped back and scrambled right as his pocket began closing yet again. He evaded the grasp of Packers defensive lineman Kingsley Enagbare, kept his eyes downfield as he ran and then fired down the middle to fellow 2024 first-rounder, Rome Odunze.

Odunze caught the pass but was tackled three yards short of the line to gain.

So the Bears lined up again, Odunze headed toward the right sideline as Williams floated a 21-yard fade into Odunze’s waiting hip pocket.

The Bears had officially flipped the field.

Caleb Williams and the Bears showed encouraging signs despite losing to the Packers. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

“Just let it rip and let him make plays,” Williams told reporters afterward. “And then on the fade ball, good call by [new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown]. I think they would be expecting a run or getting something near the sticks. And this is a matchup league as everybody tells you. So to be able to have my guy Rome one on one with somebody, win off the line, knowing that the [defensive back’s] in catchup mode? Give him a back-shoulder ball and either he’s going to get a [pass interference] or he’s going to catch it.

“Unbelievable catch.”

As it pertains to the win-loss column, the rookie duo’s heroics were ultimately all for naught. Three players later, Chicago kicker Carlos Santos lined up for a 46-yard field goal attempt that the Packers blocked.

Green Bay won 20-19, its 11th straight victory in the rivalry. But while the Packers were the franchise improving to…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-11-18 02:25:19

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