Caleb Williams Throws Four Interceptions and the Bears Still Beat Tampa Bay

Bears Beat Buccaneers 27-24 Despite Four Williams Interceptions

Chicago beat Tampa Bay 27-24 on Sunday night when Cairo Santos kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired, ESPN reported. Caleb Williams threw a career-high four interceptions, and the Bears committed five turnovers in all. They also gave up a 14-point lead that they built in the first quarter.

According to ESPN Research, the Bears are the third team in the past 20 seasons to win and never trail in a game with at least five turnovers. Williams found tight end Colston Loveland for 38 yards on the final drive to set up the kick. Chicago has not trailed at any point in its past four games, all wins.

I'm going to keep grippin' it, keep rippin' it.

ESPN also reported that Tampa Bay blitzed Williams on 66% of his dropbacks, the third-highest rate he has faced in a game, and that three of his interceptions came against it. His two touchdown passes also came against the blitz. Wide receiver Luther Burden III left with a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit, and his fumble helped Tampa Bay tie the game at 24-24.

Our Read: Why Four Interceptions Did Not Sink Chicago

This section is our reading of the facts above and not a reported cause.

• The outlier is large. Williams had thrown four interceptions combined over his previous 15 regular-season games, per ESPN, so one night of four is far from his baseline. One game is thin evidence either way.
• Luck helped the Bears. A win with five turnovers is rare by ESPN's own count, and the margin was a last-second kick. We would not read a 27-24 score as proof that the habit is harmless.
• The blitz is the real storyline. If defenses see 66% blitz rates as a blueprint, Chicago has to show it can punish pressure more consistently. Williams scoring twice against it suggests the answer is available, though two of his picks were thrown at the sideline by his own account.
• The closing drive counts too. Coach Ben Johnson said it was the calmest he felt calling plays all night. A team that finds composure after five giveaways has something to build on, but it is one data point.

What to Watch for Chicago Next

• Whether opponents copy Tampa Bay's heavy blitz and how Chicago adjusts the protection.
• Burden's concussion status, since he was the target on one interception and lost the fifth turnover.
• Williams' interception count over the next three starts against his 15-game baseline.
• Whether the Bears keep avoiding deficits, as they have in four straight games.

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