Caleb Williams Impresses NFL Fans Despite Bears' Loss to Jared Goff, Lions

Taylyn HadleyDecember 22, 2024

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears looks to pass the ball against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Despite a loss to the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams impressed NFL fans with more than 300 passing yards in Sunday's 34-17 home defeat.

Williams holds the longest active streak in the NFL, with over 300 consecutive pass attempts without an interception. In addition, Williams has accumulated 3,271 total yards this season, ranking him in Chicago's top ten for most passing yards in a single season and the first Bears rookie to surpass 3,000 yards, per Bill Zimmerman of Audacy Sports.

The Bears couldn't secure a win to complement Williams' performance on Sunday, falling to 4-11 as the Lions improved to 13-2. Williams completed 26-of-40 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns but also had two fumbles, one of which was lost.

The Lions delivered another dominant performance as they bounced back from last week's 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Quarterback Jared Goff had a stellar outing, completing 23-of-32 passes for 336 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Williams was the true standout of Sunday, with his remarkable performance and continued climb in Bears history earning him widespread praise across social media:

Bill Zimmerman @BillTZimmerman
With that touchdown pass, Caleb Williams has 3,135 passing yards on the season. That puts him in the Chicago Bears top 10 for most passing yards in a season. He is 140 yards from reaching the top 5 all-time.

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Dave @dave_bfr
Caleb Williams is now over 300+ pass attempts in a row without an interception. Longest active streak in NFL.

Ross Pins @chisportsross
Caleb Williams is so good. Stop letting people tell you otherwise. He's the real deal.

Courtney Cronin @CourtneyRCronin
Missed this in the shuffle of the game: Caleb Williams is the first Bears quarterback with 3,000 passing yards in their rookie season.

Ben Devine @Chicago_NFL
With only 25 total team rushing yards and a mostly 3rd-string O-Line, Caleb Williams has 300+ passing yards, 2 TDs, and a 120 QB rating. And still ZERO interceptions. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DaBears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DaBears</a>

Erik Lambert @ErikLambert1
Caleb Williams now has : 3,135 passing yards 19 TDs 5 INTs 89.32 passer rating His head coach was fired His OC was fired Half his OL is injured But yeah. He sucks.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bears</a>

Chicago Football Connection @CFCBears
2 QBs have thrown Multiple TDs against the Lions this season: Josh Allen Caleb Williams (Twice)

Sean Hammond @sean_hammond
With 313 passing yards today (and counting), Caleb Williams now has 3,250 passing yards on the season. That is the sixth-most ever by a Bears quarterback. He passed the best seasons by Mitchell Trubisky, Rex Grossman and Jim Harbaugh during today's game.

Jacob Infante @jacobinfante24
With his fourth 300-yard game, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bears</a> QB Caleb Williams is now tied for the most games above 300 passing yards in a single season in franchise history.

Dave @dave_bfr
Caleb Williams had himself a day. <a href="https://t.co/AyP0ZgJc8x">pic.twitter.com/AyP0ZgJc8x</a>

Pete @Pete_Martuneac
Caleb Williams is so obviously the best QB of his class, it's not a debate.

Jacob Infante @jacobinfante24
In the last 5 games, Caleb Williams has thrown 10 touchdowns and 0 interceptions with a 100.0+ passer rating in three games. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bears</a> have problems. He isn't one of them. <a href="https://t.co/Ezga1cSmGf">pic.twitter.com/Ezga1cSmGf</a>

Sunday showcased a classic performance from Detroit as they pulled away from the Eagles, maintaining their first-place position in the NFC and solidifying their dominance after clinching a playoff berth.

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
A new Lions franchise record: <a href="https://t.co/a2EPSSvKYN">pic.twitter.com/a2EPSSvKYN</a>

The Lions controlled the first quarter, with kicker Jake Bates opening the scoring with a successful 30-yard field goal. Jahmyr Gibbs added seven points with a one-yard rushing touchdown just over five minutes before the quarter's end, extending the lead to 10-0. Bates followed up with another field goal, giving Detroit a commanding 13-0 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Chicago Bears @ChicagoBears
.<a href="https://twitter.com/CALEBcsw?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CALEBcsw</a> hits <a href="https://twitter.com/ColeKmet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ColeKmet</a> for 6️⃣ 📺: FOX | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProBowlVote?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProBowlVote</a> <a href="https://t.co/7zPLXO4vev">pic.twitter.com/7zPLXO4vev</a>

Jameson Williams kicked off the second quarter with an electrifying 82-yard touchdown reception from Jared Goff, extending the Lions' lead to a commanding 20-0 and leaving Bears fans deflated. However, hope flickered for Chicago when Cole Kmet hauled in a one-yard touchdown pass from Williams to get the Bears on the board.

The final minute before halftime was action-packed. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Goff, pushing Detroit's lead to 27-7 and seemingly putting the game out of reach. Yet, the Bears responded quickly, with Keenan Allen snagging a 45-yard touchdown pass from Williams with just 39 seconds left, narrowing the deficit to 27-14 at halftime.

NFL on Prime Video @NFLonPrime
Caleb Williams throws his fastball to Keenan Allen! 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChicagoBears</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DETvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DETvsCHI</a><a href="https://t.co/QzWvjHdfUk">pic.twitter.com/QzWvjHdfUk</a>

Out of halftime, Sam LaPorta found the end zone for the Lions with a decisive touchdown, while the Bears continued to struggle offensively for the remainder of the game. Bears kicker Cairo Santos managed to add a 30-yard field goal midway through the third quarter, bringing Chicago's total to 17 points.

The fourth quarter lacked the fireworks of earlier periods, as both teams went scoreless, allowing the Lions to comfortably secure the victory. Detroit excelled in key areas, particularly on first-down conversions, tallying 27 compared to the Bears' 19.

The Bears will look to snap their nine-game losing streak when they face the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday at home.