The Chicago Bears and quarterback Caleb Williams are a work in progress. Both the team and the quarterback are learning to gain command of their offense, playing sound complimentary football, and most importantly closing out games. That last phrase was problematic for the Bears as they faced the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bears withstood a furious comeback attempt by Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco and walked out with a 47-42 victory in Paycor Stadium.

Williams connected with Colston Loveland for a 58-yard touchdown with 17 seconds left in the fourth quarter. It capped a stretch that featured three touchdowns in the last two minutes and two lead changes in the final minute.

“We knew it was going to be a shootout — one of those games,” Williams said. “Today we had to put up a bunch of points. That builds confidence knowing that they (the defense) know we have their back.”

Williams finished the day completing 20 out of 34 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns.  

“I threw a solid ball to him, he bounced off a few tackles and took it the distance,” said Williams. “At that moment it was like Steph Curry with Steve Kerr: ‘Oh no, no, no, no, yes, yes!’ That’s where I was in that moment.”

Caleb Williams made NFL history as the first player ever to record multiple passing touchdowns, multiple receptions (2), and a receiving touchdown all in a single game. He also stands out as the first starting quarterback in the modern NFL era to catch more than one pass in a single game.

“That’s what we are,” added Williams. “When things don’t go our way, when adversity hits, we find ways to win for each other. I think that’s what it’s been this year. Offense not scoring, defense shows up. Defense or offense might give up a touchdown, special teams puts us in good field position, we kick game-winners and things like that. Today, we had to put up a bunch of points to be able to help our brothers. I think us doing that today builds confidence in those guys on the other side of the ball…building confidence that they know we have their back.”

Meanwhile, Joe Flacco is the oldest player in NFL history to throw for 400 or more yards in a game. He finished the day 31-of-47 for 470 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Despite Cincinnati scoring 80 points in their last two games, the Bengals have the NFL’s worst defense and lost both games. 

“It’s sick to lose like that,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “Game’s right there and then you don’t find a way to get it done. It’s a tough one to stomach.”

Tee Higgins had seven catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns, and Ja’Marr Chase added six receptions for 111 yards. 

“I’m just trying to stay positive,” Chase said. “I’m going to stay in my lane. I don’t want no defensive player coming to me about what I’m doing.”

Jayden Daniels exits game after horrific arm injury

Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a gruesome left arm injury late in Sunday night’s matchup against Seattle, exiting the game with 7:29 remaining. The injury occurred when his non-throwing arm bent awkwardly during a tackle near the goal line, a moment that left both teammates and fans in shock.

It was announced Daniels dislocated his left elbow.

At the time, the Commanders trailed 38-7, leading many to question why the young quarterback was still playing in what appeared to be a lost game. Daniels managed to walk to the locker room on his own, but the injury marked yet another setback in what has been a challenging season for both him and the team.

Following the game, head coach Dan Quinn stated that there had been no consideration of removing Daniels prior to the injury. The second-year QB had only recently returned from a hamstring issue that kept him out against Kansas City, adding to a list of ailments that have limited his season. Earlier in the year, he also missed two games due to a knee injury.

“Yeah, not in that space,” said Quinn postgame. “Obviously, the hindsight, you don’t want to think that way where an injury could take place. Obviously we were more conservative in that spot to run and hand off and not have reads to go. But just the end result, obviously I’m bummed.”

“I’m just gutted by it. I’m just bummed. We have read plays on it and the one he was injured on is usually a runner or a throw to the flat. It’s not a scramble. It wasn’t a designed read or play into that spot. If we run it 50 times, it’s usually a handoff or a throw I’d say 50 times. It’s a bummer, man. In a big way.”

Washington’s offensive lineup was already depleted, with star wideout Terry McLaurin sidelined by a quadriceps injury and Luke McCaffrey exiting after the opening kickoff with a shoulder problem. The Commanders also lost several defensive players, including CB Trey Amos (hip), CB Marshon Lattimore (knee), and S Quan Martin (hamstring). However, Daniels’ injury appeared to be the most severe of the night, casting further doubt on Washington’s already turbulent season.

Cam Ward’s resolve is tested despite second four straight losing streak

The Tennessee Titans lost for the eighth time in nine games after a 27-20 defeat at Nissan Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers. Ward finished the day with a 12-for-21 passing performance in which he threw for 145 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked four times, had three passes broken up and converted just one of his six dropbacks on third downs.

It hasn’t been easy for Ward as he progresses through his rookie season. However, he’s keeping the main thing, the main thing.

“I don’t need the reset. I can play every week, you know, if I’m able to stay healthy too, because I’m getting better every week,” Ward explained. “The game is the same for all of us rookies. It’s just about, you know, just us executing the game plan and not putting ourselves in a negative situation. It’s too many times where I have a bad play or bad couple plays and, you know, just derails the offense. And you know, I got to be better. You know, my job, and then you’ll help lead these guys and try to win when we get back from the bye week.”

Tennessee was 1-of-9 on third down. Meanwhile, the Chargers converted seven out of thirteen such situations. Justin Herbert threw for 250 yards, two touchdowns and one interception that was returned for a touchdown. 

The Atlanta Falcons find a creative way to lose 

The once-famous rock band, Staind, had a hit record titled, “So Far Away.” As the Atlanta Falcons lose their third straight game, 24-23 against the New England Patriots in Foxboro, Mass., the lyrics are emblematic of this year’s Atlanta Falcons football team:

Now that we’re here, it’s so far away

All the struggle we thought was in vain

And all the mistakes one life contained

They all finally start to go away

Heading into today’s game, they were expected to get obliterated by a New England Patriots team that this Falcons team could have emulated. After the Falcons fired former head coach Arthur Smith in January 2024, they had a chance to hire current Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. The team ultimately landed Raheem Morris. Meanwhile, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is having a great season to this point, and New England is playing great complimentary football (something the Falcons have not done since the Week 6 victory over the Buffalo Bills).

Sunday, kicker Parker Romo missed the extra point which would have tied the game. However, it should not have come down to that. 

Michel Penix Jr. threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions. Drake London caught three touchdown passes. Jalon Walker had two sacks, two TFLs, and had a fantastic day. But, the Falcons were 1-of-10 on third down. Bijan Robinson had 96 total yards. However, the Falcons only ran the ball sixteen times all afternoon. Why? They were down 21-7 with 2:34 left before halftime. 

The offensive line is a mess, the defensive depth isn’t there, and tight end Kyle Pitts is on an expiring contract and is in trade talks ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline. Whether or not General Manager Terry Fontenot chooses to make deals is uncertain. Currently, The Falcons have the second-longest playoff drought in the NFL. And, there’s no guarantee Raheem Morris can make it through a game without making a game management mistake. 

The Falcons will face the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin next Sunday. Meanwhile, the Patriots are 7-2 and are on a six-game winning streak.

The Point After: Carolina stuns the Packers

The Green Bay Packers entered Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers as a 13.5 favorite. They had every right to be confident too. They blew away Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers in front of a national audience. Conversely, the Panthers suffered a 40-9 loss at home against the Buffalo Bills last week. There was no way the Cats from Uptown Charlotte would be any match for the surging Packers and the birthday boy, Jordan Love.

But, that’s why they play the game!

The Carolina Panthers stunned the Packers 16-13 at Lambeau Field. With the victory, the Panthers at 5-4 are above .500 for the first time since 2019. Sure, Bryce Young finished the afternoon 11-of-20, 102 yards. Sure, Young did not throw a touchdown, had one interception, and finished with a 48.3 passer rating. Sure, the Packers outgained the Panthers by a margin of 104 yards (369 to 265). And yes, the Panthers were a measly 4-of-10 on third down! But, Rico Dowdle had 25 carries for 130 yards and a touchdown. Also, the birthday boy — Jordan Love — was held to zero touchdowns and threw an interception.