Caleb Williams Breaks Bears Single-Season Passing File, However Needs ‘To Be Higher’

[ad_1] Neglect about that franchise passing report for Caleb Williams.

The Chicago Bears have larger points in the meanwhile.

Williams rallied Chicago as soon as once more Sunday, however the Bears went three-and-out on their closing possession and Jared Goff drove Detroit to Jake Bates' 42-yard subject purpose on the ultimate play of the Lions' 19-16 victory. Williams handed for 123 yards and two touchdowns within the fourth quarter.

Chicago (11-6) clinched the No. 2 seed for the NFC playoffs when Philadelphia misplaced 24-17 to Washington. However the NFC North champions head into the postseason on a two-game dropping streak.

"We’ve obtained to search out methods to be higher," Williams mentioned. "The main target has to degree up, the urgency has to degree up, the play has to degree up, the mindset mentality on the sector has to degree up as a result of that’s what playoff soccer actually is."

Subsequent up for Chicago is a rematch with Inexperienced Bay within the Bears' first playoff look for the reason that 2020 season. The longtime rivals cut up their two regular-season conferences, with Williams throwing a game-ending landing go to DJ Moore in a 22-16 time beyond regulation win at Soldier Subject on Dec. 20.

"I feel we’re pretty evenly matched," Bears coach Ben Johnson mentioned. "I’ve obtained a variety of respect for the way effectively they’re coached. I've a variety of respect for the expertise degree that they've in that constructing and I’d count on it to be one other thrilling recreation."

Tom Brady Previews Bears vs. Packers, Seattle's Success, Stafford or Drake Maye for MVP? The 24-year-old Williams started Week 18 with 3,730 yards passing, 108 shy of matching Erik Kramer’s franchise report in 16 video games in 1995. However the Bears obtained off to a sluggish begin and the No. 1 total decide within the 2024 draft had simply 45 yards at halftime.

Williams moved forward of Kramer on a 25-yard landing go to Jahdae Walker early within the fourth, delighting the group of 57,036. Requested in regards to the franchise report, Williams made it clear that he was targeted on the ultimate rating.

"Must win the sport. Didn’t wish to go away it as much as one other workforce to place us within the seeding that we wish to be in," he mentioned. "I don’t know what the case occurred with that recreation however we didn’t execute the best way we wanted to and in order that quantity is the quantity and so be it."

Williams completed 20 for 33 for 212 yards, falling simply shy of changing into the franchise's first 4,000-yard passer. He additionally threw an interception within the third quarter.

Williams had an opportunity for an additional dramatic victory after Kevin Byard picked off Goff with 2:11 left. However he was referred to as for intentional grounding on second down and Johnson determined to punt on fourth-and-5 on the 31.

"As a result of we had three timeouts, and we felt like we have been going to get the ball again," Johnson mentioned when requested in regards to the choice.

Now Williams and Johnson take the Bears into the playoffs of their first season collectively after Johnson was employed in January. They've confirmed to be fairly the tandem up to now, with Williams passing for 27 touchdowns.

"We’re going into a brand new season," Williams mentioned. "You possibly can’t dwell on the previous, however you must discover methods to right what you probably did prior to now and thru the losses."

Reporting by The Related Press.

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