Bears smack Saints despite Caleb Williams’ struggles

Despite an afternoon of evidence to the contrary, Bears coach Ben Johnson felt like he could trust his offense in one of Sunday’s biggest moments.

The Bears faced fourth-and-goal at the 1 in the third quarter at Soldier Field. They led by six but the moment felt larger than that — the Saints, overmatched for most of the first half, had scored two touchdowns to turn a laugher into something more serious.

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams got under center, called hike — and dropped the ball.

It was that kind of afternoon for Williams — certainly one that belied the final score of 26-14, the Bears’ fourth consecutive win.

Williams’ fumbled snap — amazingly, the third of the game — was bailed out in the most Bears way possible. Center Drew Dalman was called for double-clutching the ball, which was a false start. The fumble didn’t count, the Bears moved five yards backward and made a field goal to take a 23-14 lead.

Williams played his worst game of the season Sunday. That the Bears were able to win anyway is more a statement about the state of the Saints, the worst team in the NFC, than any sign of progress. The Bears have lost too frequently over the years, though, to apologize for the final score.

Williams finished 15-for-26 for 172 yards and one interception. His 61.7 passer rating was the fifth-worst of his career, with two of the three below it being the first two games of Williams’ career.

Williams fumbled a shotgun snap in the first quarter and then was credited with another one four plays later. On third-and-four from the 6, Williams went under center and took the snap, only Dalman rocked his right arm backward and, for some reason, hung onto the ball. Dalman was knocked to the ground with the ball in his hand, and the Bears were forced to kick a 27-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead.

The Bears managed 20 points in the first half with Williams struggling on the backs of their defense, which dominated Spencer Rattler until the frame’s final minute. Williams’ four scoring drives in the first half — two touchdowns and two field goals — started with, on average, the ball sitting at the Saints’ 46.

That won’t work against a better team — even the 1-5 Ravens, who await Williams in Baltimore next week.