The Chicago Bears had everything in hand. Tremaine Edmunds had intercepted Joe Flacco in the red zone. The lead was 41-27. All the team needed was one more first down to pretty much put the game out of reach. Instead, they stalled. Cincinnati got the ball back, scored quickly, got the onside kick, and then scored again. All in less than two minutes of game time. Just like that, the Bears had endured yet another gutwrenching 4th quarter collapse. There were only 54 seconds left. Fans had seen this movie before. Heads were down. Disbelief was rampant. Only one person was smiling: Caleb Williams.
No, seriously. Most fans probably didn't notice at the time because they were apoplectic with rage and despair. As the Bears' offense prepared to go onto the field for the final drive, cameras found Williams on the sideline. He didn't look shellshocked or consumed with doubt. He was grinning. It was brief. Only a few seconds, but the signs were unmistakable. Williams didn't look rattled. He looked in control. He seemed to sense the moment. He had 54 seconds and a timeout. There was no reason to panic. If he executed the offense, there was an opportunity to still get in range for a game-winning field goal attempt.
Caleb Williams proceeded to deliver.
It didn't start well. Each of his first two passes was an incompletion. Suddenly facing 3rd and 10, the Bears were in danger of letting everything fall apart. Then Caleb Williams pulled one of his trademark Houdini acts, escaping pressure and scrambling for 14 yards, getting a 1st down. On the next play, he fired arguably the best pass of his career up the seam to Colston Loveland, who was surrounded by defenders. The rookie tight end bounced off two tackles and rumbled the remaining 58 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
Chicago stopped Cincinnati's subsequent Hail Mary attempt a few seconds later and escaped with a 47-42 victory. It was easily the wildest ending to a game in recent Bears history. It was also Williams' third 4th quarter comeback in the last five games. People have criticized him plenty this year. One thing is inescapable. He can make it happen when the Bears need it most.
