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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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Things took a surprising turn for Caleb Williams in his "Sunday Night Football" matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he nearly allowed the visitors to snatch away a victory at Soldier Field.
Williams had been mostly praised for his lack of throwing interceptions throughout his early career. He'd thrown just one through his first several games this season, but added four more during Sunday night's performance.
Thankfully for Williams, the Bears' defense was also ready and waiting to help out. Jaylon Johnson had a 67-yard pick-six off Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield in the third quarter to extend the Bears' lead to 24-13.
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However, former Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden offered a reality check for Williams and the Bears if they're trying to get their hands on the Lombardi Trophy.
"Yeah, I was kinda glad that game ended. You know, it was seven turnovers; it was back and forth. I give Caleb Williams a lot of credit. He overcame a lot of adversity and found a way to make plays at the end of the game, which is what the great quarterbacks do. But we all know you’re not going to win a Super Bowl or a Championship turning the ball over at that rate," Gruden said while speaking on Barstool Sports.
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Chicago ultimately won 27-24 thanks to a last-second field goal, which was set up by Williams' nicely executed 36-yard pass to tight end Colston Loveland. Before all that, his four interceptions were certainly concerning, especially based on how he'd limited those sorts of mistakes in previous performances.
The Bears quarterback finished the game with 279 passing yards and two touchdowns. Williams threw those to Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze, both in the first half, to help the Bears jump out to a 14-0 lead.
Gruden pointed to the Bears' hot start, which included Williams' two first-half touchdown passes. He suggested it may have had a "negative toll" on Williams, causing him to think he "can make all the throws."
However, the former Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay head coach said he believed Williams could learn and improve from Sunday night's woeful performance in the long run.
Williams threw six interceptions in his rookie season, and seven last season. He's now three interceptions away from surpassing last season's total, although his performance against Tampa Bay could prove an outlier as he continues his development in the NFL.
On the opposing side, the more-experienced Mayfield threw three interceptions, including that costly pick-six to Johnson.
Despite Sunday night's interceptions being on full display in primetime, Chicago remains among the favorites to win the Super Bowl. They currently sit behind the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers at multiple sportsbooks, and the Bears will need their quarterback to limit mistakes like Sunday night's to get to the big game.
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