Caleb Williams' Redemption: How Last Thanksgiving's Humiliation Sparked a Resurgence
A year after a disastrous Thanksgiving loss to the Lions, quarterback Caleb Williams is on the cusp of another pivotal game. As he prepares to face the Eagles in Philadelphia, his thoughts are far removed from the brutal 15-second clock tick that sealed Chicago's fate last November.
The memory of that heart-wrenching defeat still lingers for Bears fans and players alike. The team's head coach at the time, Matt Eberflus, was fired just a day later, and Williams' own future in the league seemed uncertain.
However, since then, Williams has undergone a remarkable transformation. He's being sacked less than half as often as last season, and his win-loss record has taken off. The Bears are riding an eight-game winning streak, with victories by one point, two points, three points, four points, and five points in their last few games.
What's behind Williams' resurgence? He credits coach Ben Johnson, the Lions' former offensive coordinator who was on the opposite sideline that fateful Thanksgiving day. "We have belief in each other out there, but you have belief in your coaches," Williams said. "Between us, we do a lot on the field and we're coming out with these wins."
Johnson, too, has reflected on his time under pressure last November. While he admits to having limited long-term memory, he acknowledges how far he's come since then. "It was a good one for Detroit" is all he could muster as a memento from that day.
As the Bears face a stiff test against the Eagles – who have lost just once this season and boast an 8-3 record – Williams' focus remains on his team's performance, not comparisons to their opponents. "You don't look over there compare yourself to their record... We focus on our details … When you do that consistently, you'll come out with the right outcome at the end of it."
The Bears' schedule has set them up for success against top teams like Philadelphia. Last year's losses and disappointments seem like a distant memory now. "It definitely makes you grateful for the work we've put in," receiver Rome Odunze said, reflecting on the team's progress.
As Williams takes to the field this Friday, his redemption story serves as a testament to perseverance and hard work. The question remains: will it be the start of a new playoff push or a turning point in the season? One thing is certain – the Bears are nowhere near the same team they were last November.
A year after a disastrous Thanksgiving loss to the Lions, quarterback Caleb Williams is on the cusp of another pivotal game. As he prepares to face the Eagles in Philadelphia, his thoughts are far removed from the brutal 15-second clock tick that sealed Chicago's fate last November.
The memory of that heart-wrenching defeat still lingers for Bears fans and players alike. The team's head coach at the time, Matt Eberflus, was fired just a day later, and Williams' own future in the league seemed uncertain.
However, since then, Williams has undergone a remarkable transformation. He's being sacked less than half as often as last season, and his win-loss record has taken off. The Bears are riding an eight-game winning streak, with victories by one point, two points, three points, four points, and five points in their last few games.
What's behind Williams' resurgence? He credits coach Ben Johnson, the Lions' former offensive coordinator who was on the opposite sideline that fateful Thanksgiving day. "We have belief in each other out there, but you have belief in your coaches," Williams said. "Between us, we do a lot on the field and we're coming out with these wins."
Johnson, too, has reflected on his time under pressure last November. While he admits to having limited long-term memory, he acknowledges how far he's come since then. "It was a good one for Detroit" is all he could muster as a memento from that day.
As the Bears face a stiff test against the Eagles – who have lost just once this season and boast an 8-3 record – Williams' focus remains on his team's performance, not comparisons to their opponents. "You don't look over there compare yourself to their record... We focus on our details … When you do that consistently, you'll come out with the right outcome at the end of it."
The Bears' schedule has set them up for success against top teams like Philadelphia. Last year's losses and disappointments seem like a distant memory now. "It definitely makes you grateful for the work we've put in," receiver Rome Odunze said, reflecting on the team's progress.
As Williams takes to the field this Friday, his redemption story serves as a testament to perseverance and hard work. The question remains: will it be the start of a new playoff push or a turning point in the season? One thing is certain – the Bears are nowhere near the same team they were last November.