The Chicago Bears are preparing to host the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at Soldier Field on Sunday, January 18th. This will mark the Bears’ first Divisional Round appearance since they beat the Seattle Seahawks back during the 2010 season. This season has been revolutionary for the Bears as head coach Ben Johnson’s impact has completely turned around the franchise.
A significant portion of the turnaround can be attributed to Johnson’s work in developing quarterback Caleb Williams during his sophomore year. Williams has credited Johnson for his growth as a passer earlier this season.
When asked about what he’s learned about how to manage the game, Williams answered, “It’s being able to make consistent plays, routine plays, and that’s what I’ve been trying to focus on for myself.”
Williams broke the Bears franchise record for passing with 3,942 yards thrown this season, and following Chicago’s 31-27 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round, he was just awarded another achievement.
Caleb Williams Wins Nickelodeon ‘NVP’
It was announced on Wednesday, January 14, on NFL Slimetime, that Williams won the ‘NVP’ award for his Wild Card Weekend Performance. The ‘Nickelodeon MVP’ is an achievement awarded by hosts Nate Bureleson and Dylan Gilmer each week to the player they deem performed the best.
Caleb Williams’ 361 yards passing and two touchdowns, including the game-winner, cemented him as this week’s victor. He won over fellow nominees San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Caleb Williams will look to defend his NVP title as he takes on Stafford this Sunday.
Williams claims the award one week after former Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky won it for the Buffalo Bills. Trubisky was notoriously Slimetime’s first-ever ‘NVP’ winner after he claimed the achievement following the Bears’ loss to the New Orleans Saints in the 2020 Wild Card round.
It feels fitting that Williams now becomes the first Bears quarterback to win the award following a victory in the postseason, and that it may be a sign for things to come for Chicago.
The NVP Faces Off Against the MVP
While he might not have been this week’s NVP, Matthew Stafford does lead the race for the NFL MVP this season. Coming off his own game-winning drive in the Rams’ comeback victory over the Carolina Panthers last week, Stafford will look to attack the Bears’ defense similarly.
Ben Johnson credited Stafford as an influence for Williams to study coming into this season. Johnson praised Stafford ahead of the team’s Divisional Round matchup, stating that he’s “an experienced player that sees the field really well. He understands defenses; he knows how to manipulate defenses. He’s got a great feel for the game.”
Stafford led the league in passing touchdowns (46) and yards (4,707) as he prepares to face the Bears’ 21st-ranked coverage defense, according to Pro Football Focus.
There’s a good chance this game could turn into a shootout, and Williams will once again have to match wits with his own aerial attack.
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