While Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been making some improvements in his game under Ben Johnson, Bears fans understandably want to see him flip that switch as he goes from a good player to a great one. The Cincinnati Bengals gave him the perfect launchpad in Week 8.
Just when it looked like Williams and the Bears had a win all locked up following a Tremaine Edmunds interception, the Bengals scored two touchdowns in less than a minute of game time to take a 42-41 lead in a way that was intended to inflict maximum pain on the Bears' fan base.
Williams, undeterred by the need to drive down the field, didn't just get the Bears into field goal range; he won them the game. Williams' 58-yard touchdown pass to Colston Loveland put the Bears up 47-42 and capped off what may have been the most memorable game of Williams' pro career.
Bears fans had been looking for a signature moment out of Williams that can ring true years down the line. While he made them wait a bit for it, the result is as sweet as could be for Bears fans who are hoping against hope he can be the guy.
Caleb Williams delivered a signature win for Bears in Week 8 comeback vs. Bengals
Williams finished the game with 280 passing yards and three touchdowns, all while catching two passes and one more receiving touchdown via a trick play. Between passing, rushing, and receiving yards, Williams accounted for 355 total yards against the wretched Bengals defense.
Even going against a defense that is one week removed from giving up 39 points to Justin Fields and a previously winless New York Jets team, Williams being able to look as in command as he was while bringing the team back from the dead following what would have been a monumental choke is extremely impressive.
After picking up their fifth win in six contests, Chicago's next three games are against a reeling Giants team, a Vikings squad that will give Williams a chance to get his revenge on J.J. McCarthy, and a Steelers group that is one of the most unpredictable teams in the league.
Read more: Kevin Byard was every Bears fan before Colston Loveland's game-winner vs. Bengals
If the Williams that showed up against Cincinnati is the same Williams who lines up under center in those three games, Chicago should feel relatively good about their chances. This may have been a turning point for Williams, specifically as it pertains to his ability to lead this team on imperfect days.