Caleb Williams, Baker Mayfield turn 'SNF' into turnover fest as Bears overcome interceptions

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Caleb Williams, Baker Mayfield turn 'SNF' into turnover fest as Bears overcome interceptions originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Through a combined 10 games this season, Baker Mayfield and Caleb Williams totaled just three interceptions.

For Williams, his limited turnovers have helped lead an elite Bears offense, emerging as a potential Super Bowl contender. Mayfield has also historically taken care of the football; despite playing through injuries in 2026, the veteran has at least been careful with his passes.

But both former Heisman Trophy winners and No. 1 overall picks had an ugly showing on "Sunday Night Football," which wound up being a game full of turnovers. Mayfield and Williams combined for six interceptions — and it led to a wacky, back-and-forth game between the Bears and Buccaneers, which Chicago narrowly escaped with a 27-24 win.

Here's a look at the collection of interceptions between Williams and Mayfield on Sunday night and how the Bears still overcame their turnovers.

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Caleb Williams interceptions vs. Buccaneers

Williams has always been a fairly accurate quarterback who rarely turns the ball over — he came into 2026 with 13 interceptions in two full seasons. Through five games, he was playing a clean brand of football, only throwing a pick in September against the Vikings.

Everything unraveled for Williams against Tampa Bay, though. With the Bears pushed back beyond the 20-yard line on a 2nd & Goal, Williams went for a shot to the end zone that wound up hurting Chicago in the second quarter.

Tykee Smith grabbed the first Williams pick of the night.

Just minutes later, after a Buccaneers turnover on downs, Williams' next throw was also an interception to Zyon McCollum. 

The end of the second quarter wound up being littered with turnovers. Right after getting the ball back with a chance to add points before halftime, McCollum got him again, diving to make an interception that was awarded after a review.

The fourth Williams interception was less his fault than just an unfortunate bounce. Looking for Luther Burden in the third quarter, the pass bounced off Burden into the air, and Alex Anzalone was in the perfect spot to make the play.

It became the first four-interception game of Williams' NFL career.

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Baker Mayfield interceptions vs. Bears

Mayfield, meanwhile, had not thrown multiple interceptions in a game since last December against the Dolphins. After not throwing a single pass against the Falcons last week, he put the ball in a bit more danger in Week 9.

Toward the end of the first half, Mayfield was looking for Tez Johnson when Cam Lewis picked him off.

The far more critical interception came in the third quarter. Mayfield, moments after Williams' fourth pick, was trying to get the ball to Cade Otton for a short gain when Jaylon Johnson jumped in front of the tight end, grabbed the ball, then got a block en route to the end zone.

The pick-six made it a two-score Bears lead, and it was the sixth interception of the game between the two teams.

How the Bears beat the Buccaneers

For a moment, it appeared the Bears' fifth turnover of the night would be the final nail in the coffin, despite their late lead.

Reuben Bain had a huge hit on Luther Burden with under four minutes remaining that knocked the ball free, also sending the wide receiver to the locker room with an injury. The fumble was recovered by Tampa Bay, which trailed by eight.

Mayfield's clutch gene showed up in the big moment. Bucky Irving powered into the end zone for a touchdown, then Mayfield ran one in for the two-point conversion that tied it at 24 as Burden's fumble cost the Bears.

In the end, though, Williams and the Bears' offense showed up when it mattered most. Chicago drove 49 yards over eight plays, highlighted by a 38-yard pass to Colston Loveland, setting up a game-winning field goal from Cairo Santos.

Despite five turnovers, nine penalties and a blown late lead, Chicago found a way to improve to 7-2, looking more like a Super Bowl contender with every game that passes.

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