Bears Seek Redemption Against Eagles After Last Thanksgiving’s Disappointment

CHICAGO, Ill. — Caleb Williams stood poised behind the center, the weight of the game on his shoulders. With just 15 seconds left and his team trailing by three points against the Philadelphia Eagles, he prepared to make a play. Last year’s Thanksgiving game ended in despair for the Chicago Bears, as they fell to the Detroit Lions in a heart-wrenching loss. However, Williams is determined to change the narrative this time around.

After being sacked multiple times in that previous game, Williams has dramatically improved this season, experiencing less than half of the sacks he faced last year. He and the Bears are currently riding a four-game winning streak. Williams has already achieved more wins this season by Veterans Day than the Bears managed in the entire previous year.

Reflecting on their previous Thanksgiving matchup, Williams remarked, “We have belief in each other out there, but you have belief in your coaches. Between us, you do a lot on the field, and we’re coming out with these wins.”

Despite the challenges of the NFL, Williams and the Bears have found ways to secure victories, winning games by narrow margins of one to five points, now boasting an impressive 8-3 record. Coach Ben Johnson, who was the Lions’ offensive coordinator last Thanksgiving, has played a significant role in Williams’ turnaround.

Johnson, recalling last year’s game vaguely, stated, “It was a good one for Detroit,” but he is now focused on the progress made since. “I’m really happy with where we are here and what we’re building right now,” he said.

The Bears are faced with high-stakes matchups in the coming weeks, starting with the Eagles, who also hold an 8-3 record. Williams remains unfazed, insisting on focusing on his own performance rather than comparing themselves to their opponents. “When you do that consistently, you’ll come out with the right outcome at the end of it,” he added.

As the Bears prepare for their showdown this Black Friday, players like safety Kevin Byard III reflect on how far the team has come since last year, expressing gratitude for the progress and the teamwork benefiting their current season.

“It feels very good to come out on the other side of adversity,” Byard said. The Bears are looking to add another win, showing resilience and commitment as they face their rivals.