Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams had encouraging numbers in his third NFL start.
However, the result was frustratingly familiar for Chicago.
While the No. 1 overall draft pick surpassed 300 yards for the first time and threw the first two touchdown passes of his career, Williams was unable to lead a comeback in the fourth quarter against the Colts, suffering his second consecutive loss.
Still, Williams is hopeful.
“Got our first two passing touchdowns of the year, which obviously feels good,” he said. “I think the offensive identity is brewing. I think it’s a lot closer than it was the week before or weeks before, I think it’s right there. I think we were one small detail away on a lot of these plays and that includes me.”
After last week’s loss to Houston, Williams hobbled off the field, sore and still feeling the effects days later.
This time, he walked off confidently, passing by others with his chin held high, ready to prepare for the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The main issue for the Bears (1-2) continues to be pass protection.
Williams completed 33 of 52 passes for 363 yards, both career highs, and had a passer rating of 80.8, which was more than double Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson’s 39.0. Yet, he spent most of the game running for his life.
As a result, Williams threw two interceptions, lost a fumble, had a pass batted down in the end zone, and was sacked four times. He was hit a total of seven times and forced into several throwaways, including a crucial 2-point conversion attempt that could have narrowed the score.
A fourth-quarter strip-sack led to Jonathan Taylor’s second touchdown, a 1-yard run with 5:21 left, making it 21-9 and sealing the Bears’ fate, despite Williams throwing for the most yards in an NFL game this season.
It was another tough day for the Bears, as it has been for much of the season.
“The quick game was there. When we needed to throw the ball down the field, we could,” said receiver DJ Moore, who had eight catches for 78 yards. “When you look past the turnovers and the penalties, you can start to see the offense coming alive.”
Clearly, though, Williams needs more support.
Chicago only managed 63 rushing yards and suffered a 12-yard loss on a fourth-and-goal attempt from the Colts’ 1-yard line in the first half, against a run defense that entered Week 3 allowing the most yards per game in the league.
