The Chicago Bears were so close. They were maybe 15 yards from being in field goal range for a chance to reach the NFC championship. Then Caleb Williams threw his third and most costly interception of the game. At first, it looked like he just got greedy, and it sailed on him. However, a closer inspection of the pay revealed that D.J. Moore, his intended target, seemed to run his route with far less precision and urgency than he should’ve, allowing the Los Angeles Rams safety to easily undercut the throw.
Williams didn’t throw around any blame. He merely called it a miscommunication between the two of them.
“Just a miscommunication between him and I. Tried to flatten him off under the safety and he kept it vertical from what I saw.”
What hurts so much about this play, aside from the result, is that Williams seemed to recognize the danger of it happening as early as last week. During the game against Green Bay, the Bears’ quarterback was seen on the sideline loudly instructing his receivers on what he wanted. One of the biggest points was if they had leverage on the safety with their routes to go full speed. He’d find them. It sure looks like Moore has the inside track on Kurl if he flattens his route and goes 100%. He did neither.
Caleb Williams watched the prophecy get fulfilled.
He knew his receivers were showing a tendency to slow up on their route. That speech was meant to ensure they stayed at full speed. He had the arm strength to find them even if it came late. That interception will be replayed over and over for months to come. This doesn’t absolve the quarterback of blame. He didn’t need to be that aggressive in that situation. It was 2nd and 8. He could’ve taken something shorter for an easier completion or, better yet, just run it himself. There was space.
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However, this was another painful example of the Bears’ wide receivers not being on the same page with their quarterback. This has been a persistent issue all year. Guys aren’t in the right spots or don’t make the catches when the ball hits their hands. All of that was on display in the loss to Los Angeles. Caleb Williams will get the blame because of the interceptions, but much of that game falls at their feet. Guys weren’t sharp, and in the most important game of the season. You can’t excuse stuff like that.
