Bears’ Caleb Williams Makes NFL History in Dominant Win Over Browns

A Statement Win for Chicago

The Chicago Bears sent a powerful message to the rest of the NFL on Sunday with a commanding 31–3 victory over the Cleveland Browns. While the defense set the tone and the scoreboard told a lopsided story, the night ultimately belonged to Caleb Williams, who delivered a performance that placed him firmly in the NFL record books.

In just his second season, the former No. 1 overall pick accomplished something no quarterback in league history has ever done, further validating Chicago’s long-term belief in their franchise signal-caller.

From High Expectations to Real Results

When the Bears selected Caleb Williams first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, expectations were sky-high. As a rookie, Williams showed promise — throwing for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just six interceptions — but Chicago stumbled to a 5–12 record, missing the playoffs despite a widely praised offseason.

Everything changed in Year 2.

The hiring of Ben Johnson, former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, as head coach marked a turning point. Known as one of the league’s sharpest offensive minds, Johnson has built a system tailored to Williams’ strengths — emphasizing timing, accuracy, and smart decision-making.

The results are now undeniable.

Caleb Williams’ Historic Performance

Against Cleveland, Williams delivered one of the most efficient performances of his young career:

• 17-of-28 passing

• 242 yards

• 2 touchdowns

• 0 interceptions

• 112.5 passer rating

But the box score only tells part of the story.

With that performance, Williams officially set a new NFL record for the fewest interceptions thrown in a player’s first 1,000 career pass attempts — just 12 total interceptions, breaking a mark that had stood for decades.

Six of those interceptions came during his rookie season. The other six have come this year — and notably, he entered Week 15 having thrown interceptions in back-to-back games, making Sunday’s clean outing even more impressive.

A Streak That Separates Him From the Rest

Sunday’s win also marked another remarkable milestone:
Williams has now gone 28 consecutive games without throwing multiple interceptions, the longest active streak in the NFL.

That consistency has become his calling card.

A FOX broadcast statistic during the game highlighted the magnitude of the achievement, noting that no quarterback in NFL history has protected the football better over their first 1,000 attempts.

For a position often defined by risk, Williams’ discipline has set him apart.

Accuracy Has Always Been His Strength

Ball security isn’t new for Williams — it’s who he’s always been.

At USC, his accuracy and decision-making stood out immediately:

• 66.6% completion rate with a 1.0% interception rate as a sophomore

• 68.6% completion rate and 1.3% interception rate in his final college season

That translated seamlessly to the NFL. As a rookie, Williams posted a 1.1% interception rate, the third-lowest in NFL history for a first-year quarterback.

Entering Sunday’s game, his interception rate sat at 1.4%, already among the league’s best. After the Browns game, it dropped to 1.3%, further solidifying his elite efficiency.

Bears Reach 10 Wins — and Eye the NFC’s Top Spot

The win over Cleveland wasn’t just historic — it was pivotal.

Chicago reached 10 wins for the first time since 2018, and only the fourth time since 2010. Aside from a Week 14 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Bears have been one of the hottest teams in football.

After opening the season with back-to-back losses, Chicago has won 10 of its last 12 games, with both defeats coming against teams currently in or near the playoff picture.

Even better news came from elsewhere around the league.

A Real Path to the NFC’s No. 1 Seed

Green Bay’s loss in Week 15 reopened the NFC North race. If the Packers slip again, Chicago would reclaim sole possession of the division lead and jump from the No. 6 seed to No. 2 in the NFC standings — just one game behind the Seattle Seahawks for the conference’s top seed.

The road won’t be easy.

Chicago’s final three regular-season games come against:

• Green Bay Packers

• San Francisco 49ers (10–4)

• Detroit Lions (8–5)

But with Caleb Williams playing mistake-free football and Ben Johnson guiding the offense, the Bears remain very much alive in the race for the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

The Bigger Picture

Caleb Williams’ record-setting night against Cleveland wasn’t just about numbers — it was about control, growth, and leadership. In Year 2, he’s no longer just living up to expectations. He’s redefining them.

If this trajectory continues, Sunday’s performance may be remembered not just as a historic milestone — but as the moment the Bears truly became NFC contenders.