Despite a messy game filled with mistakes at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had a chance to lead a game-winning drive with 6:52 remaining against the Indianapolis Colts. But six seconds later, Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu ended that hope.
Latu, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound rookie from UCLA, exploded off the line, maneuvering past Bears tight end Cole Kmet. Williams sensed Latu’s approach and attempted to step up in the pocket, aiming for a wide-open Rome Odunze downfield. But as Kmet fell, Latu knocked the ball from Williams’ arm, causing a fumble that Colts nose tackle Grover Stewart recovered at the Bears’ 16-yard line. Four plays later, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor sealed the game with a 1-yard touchdown, securing a 21-16 win.
Kmet acknowledged his error in the play, admitting his technique needed improvement. Head coach Matt Eberflus delivered a post-game message emphasizing missed opportunities, which plagued the Bears throughout the game. Williams had a solid performance with 363 passing yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions and a critical red-zone failure in the first half contributed to the team’s second straight road loss.
Special teams also faltered, as Daniel Hardy’s neutral zone infraction extended a Colts drive late in the third quarter. The defense, which limited the Colts to seven points through three quarters, was let down by these mistakes, leading safety Kevin Byard to stress the need for complementary football to avoid constant “dogfights.”
The Colts showed this complementary play in the second quarter, building momentum after an interception by Jaylon Jones on a Williams pass, which led to a 29-yard touchdown run by Taylor. Though the Bears intercepted Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson twice, the offense failed to capitalize, gaining only three points from those turnovers.
Despite a late touchdown pass from Williams to Odunze, a mix-up during the extra point decision cost the Bears a crucial timeout, further hampering their comeback efforts. Ultimately, while there were some offensive improvements, the Bears’ inability to finish drives and avoid mistakes led to their 1-2 record. As Kmet noted, “This league is about winning football games, and we didn’t get that done today.”
