Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked seven times by the Houston Texans during Sunday Night Football. The silver lining is that the former USC Trojans standout did not suffer any major injuries and provided an update on his condition after the game.
“I’m a bit bruised up,” Williams stated following the defeat, according to the official transcript. “I took a few hits today. I’m planning to use ice tubs and do everything necessary to ensure my body is ready for tomorrow, as well as for practice in the coming days and the next game.”
The Bears are now 1-1 after losing 19-13 to the Texans in Week 2 of NFL action. Houston recorded 11 quarterback hits on Williams, marking an official ‘Welcome to the League’ moment for him.
“It’s always exciting to go after any quarterback,” commented Houston defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who recorded 1.5 sacks on Williams. “This week, our goal was to keep applying pressure on him.”
Williams completed 23 of 37 passes for 174 yards and threw two interceptions. With two NFL starts behind him, his talent has been evident, providing optimism for a Bears organization that selected the Heisman Trophy winner with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, Chicago needs to improve its protection for Williams and enhance its offensive output.
“That’s a collective responsibility,” said Chicago coach Matt Eberflus regarding the unsatisfactory offensive performance. “We need to ensure the O-line, tight ends, and backs are doing their jobs. It’s about rhythm and timing on passes, play design for quick ball release, and his reads. It involves everyone, so we need to address these issues.”
Williams aims to get Chicago’s offense performing as effectively as it did during his time at USC. He set nearly every Trojans record, including: the USC single-season total offense record (4,919 yards), the most touchdowns scored both rushing and passing (52), most passing completions (333), most passes attempted (500), most passing yards (4,537), most touchdown passes (42), and the most rushing and passing plays (613).
This season, USC officially retired Caleb Williams’ No. 13 jersey, which is now displayed on the peristyle of the Los Angeles Coliseum alongside its other Heisman winners (a total of eight).
While there are challenges for the rookie, the 2024 NFL season is just getting started.
Next, Chicago and Williams will travel to Indianapolis for a matchup against the Colts on Sunday, September 22nd at 12 p.m. PT. This will be Chicago’s third consecutive game against an AFC South team, featuring two exciting young quarterbacks: Williams and Indianapolis’ Anthony Richardson.
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams Throws 2 Interceptions In Sunday Night Football Loss.
Former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams began Sunday night with seven consecutive completions against the Houston Texans. By halftime, he had completed 12 of 15 passes for 91 yards. However, the second half proved to be much tougher for him.
The rookie quarterback ended the game with 174 yards, completing 23 of 37 passes. He threw two interceptions and was sacked seven times by the Houston defense.
The Bears were never able to take the lead against the Texans and ultimately lost the game 19-13. Although the Bears’ defense provided Williams with multiple opportunities, the offense failed to take advantage.
In the fourth quarter, Williams and the Bears initiated a two-minute drill while trailing by six points, but they struggled to gain momentum. Under constant pressure throughout the game, the Texans intensified their defense during the final drive, securing the victory.
The Bears opened the game with an 11-play drive that resulted in a field goal after advancing 42 yards. Key plays during this drive included completions from Williams to DJ Moore and DeAndre Carter, which helped Chicago reach field goal range for kicker Cairo Santos. The drive stalled, however, when Williams was sacked on a 3rd and 9 from the Houston 25-yard line.
On their following possession, the Bears quickly went three-and-out.
After Houston increased their lead to 13-3, the Bears faced a fourth-and-short situation in their own territory. Rather than punting with over five minutes left in the first half, Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus opted to go for it. Williams handed the ball to running back Kahlil Herbert, who managed to gain the first down by a narrow margin.
Unfortunately for Williams and the Bears, the same drive concluded on the subsequent series when Williams was sacked on third down.
However, the rookie quarterback from USC ended the half on a positive note. After the Bears’ defense made a stop, giving the offense favorable field position, Williams led the team down the field for a touchdown run by Khalil Herbert.
Caleb Williams is still looking for his first NFL touchdown. We’ll see if he can achieve that in the second half of a tightly contested game, with the Texans leading the Bears 16-10 at halftime.
Chicago Bears OC Shane Waldron Remains Confident in Rookie QB Caleb Williams.
Former USC quarterback Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears are set to face the Houston Texans in week two of the NFL season during Sunday Night Football. After Thursday’s practice, Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron addressed the media and highlighted the areas where his rookie quarterback can improve.
“For him, it’s about going out there and playing with clear vision and footwork,” Waldron said. “This will be his first experience in a road environment, and I’m sure it will be lively on Sunday night. It’s important for him to communicate effectively with his offensive line, receivers, running backs, and tight ends.”
In his NFL debut against the Tennessee Titans in week one, Williams secured a win, but the Bears’ defense and special teams were responsible for the team’s two touchdowns. He threw for 93 yards and added another 15 yards on the ground in his first game.
“I think for us on offense, it starts with avoiding turnovers. We always take pride in that,” said Waldron.
While the offense did not commit any turnovers, they also failed to score a touchdown. Despite the victory, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner faced criticism for his footwork and accuracy after the game. Nonetheless, the Bears’ offensive coordinator remains confident in his quarterback.
Waldron stated, “For Caleb, it’s all about gaining experience. The more time he spends on the field, the more repetitions we accumulate, and the game starts to slow down for him week by week.”
Rookie quarterbacks often face challenges as they adapt to the pace of the NFL. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix also made their starts in week one. Among the three, Williams was the only one to secure a victory.
Waldron highlights the crucial distinction between game reps and practice reps, emphasizing how the offense can learn from reviewing game film.
“There’s nothing that compares to game reps for us as an offense,” Waldron remarked. “Being able to come in on Monday and evaluate and discuss everything is invaluable.”
Despite the win, Williams completed 14 of 29 passes, resulting in a 48.3 completion percentage. However, after one week, the Bears are not overly concerned. Waldron points to the talent and ability they have observed from Williams in practice, expressing confidence that it will translate into game performance.
“We’ve seen him make all the necessary throws during practice and throughout his college career, and we’re confident that each week he’ll improve incrementally, and we’ll be excited to see his progress,” Waldron stated.
In week two, the Bears’ offense will face a skilled Houston Texans defense, led by coach DeMeco Ryans in his second year. With Williams playing his first game in primetime, the stage is set for him.
USC Trojans In The NFL: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam Darnold, Leonard Williams Dominate.
It was a tough day for the Detroit Lions as they faced off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a rematch of last season’s divisional playoff. The Lions lost the home game 20-16, with the tension lingering until the final play. Detroit wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had a strong performance, making 11 catches for 119 yards, averaging 10.8 yards per reception.
Meanwhile, former USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold shined against the defending NFC Champions, the San Francisco 49ers, leading the Vikings to a 23-17 home victory. Darnold continued his impressive performance, completing 17 of 26 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns, along with 32 rushing yards on five carries.
Darnold also teamed up with wide receiver Justin Jefferson for a 97-yard touchdown, marking the second-longest play in franchise history and standing out as a highlight of the early NFL games. With this win, Darnold and the Vikings improved to 2-0.
Clutch third down throw from Sam Darnold pic.twitter.com/e7RPP0oOTw
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) September 15, 2024
Defensive tackle Leonard Williams delivered a standout performance against the New England Patriots, contributing significantly to the Seattle Seahawks’ 23-20 overtime win that improved their record to 2-0. Williams was highly active and disruptive, recording four tackles, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, and an impressive four quarterback hits.
New York Jets offensive linemen Tyron Smith and Alijah Vera-Tucker played crucial roles in the Jets’ 24-17 victory at the Tennessee Titans’ stadium. Aaron Rodgers successfully completed 18 of 30 passes, totaling 176 yards and throwing two touchdown passes. The Jets also achieved 101 rushing yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. The strong performance from the offensive line significantly contributed to the team’s momentum in the second half.
Running back Marshawn Lloyd made his NFL debut with the Green Bay Packers, recording 7 touches and gaining 17 yards in their 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Caleb Williams Struggles On Sunday Night Football, Suffers First NFL Loss.
A Stage For Stars:
There’s no greater regular season spotlight in the NFL than Sunday Night Football, where viewers across the nation tune in for what is often a high-profile matchup showcasing top talent. While Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears may not yet be considered a “marquee” game, the former USC Trojans quarterback and the Bears certainly possess significant talent.
Events like Sunday Night Football play a vital role in establishing credibility and legacy for both players and franchises. It’s called primetime for a reason. Given the passionate fan base of the Chicago Bears and the pressure of being the potential first-overall pick, it can be daunting to meet such high expectations.
On the surface, it seems these expectations do not faze the rookie quarterback. While he undoubtedly feels the pressure, he hasn’t let it show, particularly not in a detrimental manner during games. Williams made a strong impression during the preseason, but that is merely a warm-up for the real competition.
In his rookie debut against the Titans, Williams’ performance did not dazzle anyone. Completing 14 of 29 passes for 83 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions certainly didn’t mark the most impressive debut. However, the Chicago Bears’ defense and special teams stepped up, ultimately securing the victory for the team.
Scary Sunday:
Transitioning from a lackluster debut to a Sunday Night Football road game against a playoff contender coached by DeMeco Ryans is a significant challenge. This is the pressure that Caleb Williams faces in his position. He approached this challenge head-on, starting the game strong with 12 completions on 15 attempts for 91 yards and leading a late touchdown drive, which was impressive given the circumstances.
While the statistics may not be remarkable, his composure and resilience were exactly what you’d hope to see from a young quarterback in just his second start. One issue Williams faced in his first start was holding onto the ball for too long, a concern that had been noted during his pre-draft evaluation. However, he showed considerable improvement in this area against the Texans at the beginning of the game.
Unfortunately, the second half did not unfold as he had hoped, particularly the third quarter, which was challenging to watch. The play-calling did not assist his performance, and he missed a few throws, often releasing the ball from his back foot. The offensive line struggled against the Texans’ pass rush, resulting in Williams being sacked a total of seven times.
Under the pressure of a faltering offensive line, Williams reverted to some of his collegiate habits. While he demonstrated good pocket presence and the ability to avoid sacks, the caliber of athletes in the NFL is significantly higher than what he faced in college. Two particular plays he would want back were interceptions where he forced passes into heavily guarded targets, one of which occurred while he was trying to evade a sack.
In the final two drives, the Chicago Bears’ defense provided the offense with opportunities to win the game. Although the offensive line continued to struggle, missed opportunities on back shoulder throws stalled one drive and ended the game on the last. Ultimately, Williams’ stats concluded at 23 completions out of 37 attempts for 174 yards and two interceptions.
Despite the setbacks and physical challenges, Williams showed commendable determination. These types of struggles are typical for any rookie quarterback, but one aspect that could aid Caleb’s growth is a defense that maintains competitiveness in games. Even with the two turnovers, the defense kept them in contention, fostering a sense of hope that the game was never completely out of reach, which benefits everyone, including the playcallers.
Slow, Steady Wins The Race:
Addressing mistakes and managing controllable factors indicate that Williams is making progress in his development. Between his first and second games, he learned to release the ball more quickly. For the transition from his second to third game, fans hope to see similar improvements in mistake correction. The next steps involve knowing when to throw the ball away and understanding the balance between power and finesse in his throws.
Even with just two starts under his belt, it’s clear that moments of realization are beginning to emerge. His talent is unmistakable, but there’s also a noticeable reliance on old habits that he needs to move beyond. As he gains confidence and becomes more at ease, we may be witnessing the emergence of a future star. However, it’s evident that there is still a significant journey ahead.
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