Redemption Game: Caleb Williams and Bears look to avenge “Fail Mary” loss

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 3 hours ago

CHICAGO - It was perhaps one of the worst plays in Chicago Bears history when the cornerback Tyrique Stevenson tipped the ball directly into the hands of the receiver for the Washington Commanders, and the Bears lost on the “Fail Mary.”

This Monday, on Oct. 13 (7:15 p.m. / ABC), these teams face off again.

There are several storylines going into this game - redemption for Stevenson, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Caleb Williams, facing the No. 2 pick and reigning NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels.

But for Williams, part of the story is being able to go back home and hopefully get a win this time.

“When you go back home, I think any player, any coach, (any) competitor, when you go back home and you’re going to be in front of, whether your people are actually there or (not), they’re going to be watching (because) it’s home and so, being able to come out with a win always feels a little bit better when you can do it at home and not being able to go back home as much as you may like or anything like that because of what the job requires,” Williams said. “So, when you do get to go back home and play in front of a crowd and play in front of a crowd of many fans, whether it was high school or little leagues or anything like that that have watched me growing up, you want to be able to win those games.”

Last season, this game was a defensive battle. Prior to the last play of the game, only 22 points had been scored between the two teams.

Therefore, Williams is expecting Washington’s defense to be just as difficult this time around.

“Obviously, playing (versus) them last year and (head coach) Dan Quinn and (defensive coordinator) Joe (Whitt Jr), they do a good job over there. Their guys play sound football. They obviously have a vet right in the middle. They got a bunch of vets, but they got a vet right in the middle of the (defense) with Bobby Wag. So, just being able to go out there and do our job, execute our plays, execute our techniques is the challenge for us because that’s what those guys are going to do and they’re going to play hard-nosed football,” Williams said. “They’re going to come out and they’re trying to make a bang on plays and come downhill and hit on run plays and when the ball’s in the air, they’re going to try and go and attack it. So, it’s our job (for) me to be able to throw good passes, give our receivers the best chance and it’s our guys’ job to be able to have the right technique and go grab the ball or run and protect the football and lower pad level and all the different things that it takes to win games.”

There are also several notable differences between the matchups from last season and this year. Perhaps the most significant difference is Chicago’s head coach, Ben Johnson, who has brought a different mentality and energy to this football team.

The Bears had a gutsy win against the Las Vegas Raiders in their last game, and that is the momentum Williams believes will help Chicago against Washington.

“I think being able to have those types of wins is important. I think overall for us as a team, a culture and things like that, that even when we’re down, even when we’re behind, even when one side of the ball may not be doing as good as (we) feel we should, I think being able to find ways to get things going, having each other’s back, all these different things that, when you come up in these big games, this week that we have a team that went to (the) NFC (Championship) last year and they’ve played big games,” Williams said. “They’re a great team, great coaching staff and all of that. All that comes together and I think it helps us in the end. One, for confidence, (and) for belief in each other, coaches and all of that and then obviously, we have to do it each and every week to be able to become that consistent team that we want to be and winning these games.”