2. Thriving in the fourth quarter
One reason Chicago has a co-division-leading six wins is Williams' aplomb when games are undecided.
The 2024 No. 1 overall selection is tied, already, with Billy Wade in 1962, Bob Avellini in 1977 and Jay Cutler in 2009-10 and 2015 for the most game-winning drives in one season by a Bears quarterback (4). That's equal to Baker Mayfield and Bo Nix for the most this year, and three from tying Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Jake Plummer for the most GWDs in a season within a QBs initial two campaigns.
Fielding a question about Williams' heroics, Flores said it "looks like he thrives in those moments."
The dual-threat QB has orchestrated comebacks under two minutes in consecutive weeks versus the Giants and Bengals and ushered 25-24 wins over the Commanders and Raiders earlier in the schedule.
O'Connell said Williams has "made some throws that haven't necessarily ended up in completions" that are worth scanning over again and rewatching on film "just because of the high, high level of difficulty of the throw he can make in and out of the pocket. And that's something we've always known about him."
Williams is one of 11 QBs with a triple-digit passer rating in fourth quarters this year (min. five games), and the No. 13-ranked player with a cumulative 96.6 passer rating in final frames since 2024 (min. 100 pass attempts), right behind Patrick Mahomes (98.6), Nix and Aaron Rodgers (both 99.1) in that stretch.
Williams' elusiveness is extra apparent – and he leans on it – in critical, game-winding-down junctures.
Dating to his rookie slate, Williams' 247 scrimmage yards in the fourth quarter ranks third among QBs. The only ones with more rushing/receiving yardage in that span are Josh Allen (328) and Lamar Jackson (298). In all other quarters combined, Williams has accounted for 509 yards as a runner or pass-catcher.
The stats reinforce Williams is operating late in games with a certain level of calmness and moxie.
If the field goal difference in the season opener was any indication, or even Minnesota's one other divisional game in tow in Week 9 at Detroit (also a 3-point win), then Sunday figures to be competitive.
And in that event, containing Williams in the witching hour could be fundamental to a Vikings win.
"We've got to be at our best, because he's going to be at his best and they're going to be at their best," Flores surmised. "And, you know, it's a division game. That's probably what it's going to be. We know it's going to be a 60-minute battle. We've got to prepare the right way. It's going to be a big, big challenge."