Caleb Williams keeps ripping it. The Chicago Bears are better for it.

CHICAGO — The thing about the NFL is that one week can change perception.

Yet another example after Sunday: the Chicago Bears.

Following last week’s impressive road victory over the Seattle Seahawks, the Bears were the talk of the league. And with the NFL MVP race coming into focus, quarterback Caleb Williams appeared to be making his move.

Then came a struggle at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night, and the Super Bowl buzz in Chicago — as well as the talk about the team’s gifted third-year passer winning a coveted trophy soon — suddenly seemed a bit premature.

There’s no doubt, however, that’s there still a whole lot to like about Williams and the group he leads, which eked out a 27-24 win over Tampa Bay and move to 7-2.

Despite Williams throwing a career-high four interceptions and Chicago having five turnovers total, the Bears never trailed Sunday. But Tampa Bay tied the game at 24 with 2:51 left in the fourth quarter, finally erasing the lead Chicago had held since scoring a touchdown on the game’s opening drive.

Suddenly, Williams needed to put his shaky performance behind him and orchestrate a game-winning drive starting at his own 31-yard line. A 38-yard pass to Colston Loveland down the left sideline, did most of the work, moving the Bears into the red zone and well within field goal range.

Cairo Santos made the 38-yard kick with time expiring, and the Bears had completed their fourth consecutive victory.

Williams started the game hot and threw for 279 and two touchdowns for Chicago (7-2), which got another strong performance from its defense. The Buccaneers (3-6) went just 2-for-12 on third-down attempts, and Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown.

Now, the red-hot Bears get some time off. During their bye week, Williams has some tape to watch. He made electric plays rolling out of the pocket early in the first half, but threw three interceptions in the second quarter and one more in the third, part of a 10-drive stretch in which Chicago’s offense scored just three points.

“It’s frustrating,” Williams said of his miscues. “Two of them, [I] tried to throw away. One of them, [I] made a dumb decision. And then the last one, it got tipped up in the air.”

Entering play Sunday, Williams had only one interception all season. Since returning to the lineup Week 6 after recovering from a significant right hamstring injury, he had been on a three-game heater, showcasing his smarts, elite accuracy, poise and fiery leadership.

Despite his turnovers against the Buccaneers, Williams remains undeterred in his approach. To be at his best for the Bears, there’s only one way for him to play — and it’s not being timid.

“I’m going to throw until until I can’t throw anymore,” he said. “That’s how I live. I work my tail off to be in this position. I’ll never not throw the ball. I can throw 100 picks in one game. If it comes down to it, I’m [still] gonna throw that pass to Colston.

“Or if it’s a tighter window, I can rip it in there. That’s how I grew up. That’s what I am. I don’t get gun-shy. That’s not me. That’s not my identity. That’s not who I am. I keep ripping it, keep ripping it. And if coach calls it, it’s time to go make a play.”

The Bears couldn’t love that more.

Inside the executive offices at Halas Hall, the Bears’ corporate headquarters, Williams’ emergence has come as little surprise.

General manager Ryan Poles has been vindicated for his unwavering belief in the quarterback he selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. During Williams’ uneven rookie season, Poles was subjected to withering criticism for choosing the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner out of the University of Southern California over other standout college passers. Many skeptics suggested Poles had blown it.

How’s that working out?

While other notable signal-callers have endured brutal seasons marred by injuries or poor play, Williams has ascended.

Baltimore Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson — a two-time NFL MVP and a three-time first-team All-Pro — has missed five games, is currently on injured reserve and is facing thumb surgery that could end his season.

Philadelphia Eagles leader Jalen Hurts is dealing with a serious blood clot situation. A former Super Bowl MVP, Hurts is on injured reserve and is not expected to play again this season.

After a sensational 2023 rookie season, C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans hasn’t continued to climb the ladder as many longtime league observers expected. And despite sometimes playing at an MVP level, Dallas Cowboys All-Pro Dak Prescott hasn’t been able to overcome, well, the Dallas Cowboys.

Then there’s the Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, to whom Williams has been most closely compared since entering the league. Washington selected Daniels one pick after Williams in the 2024 draft, and he burst onto the scene en route to winning 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Poles’ critics declared he had made the wrong choice in selecting Williams over him, but the story has flipped in the two years since.

Daniels played in only seven games last season while battling knee, hamstring and elbow injuries. He missed two games this year and has come under fire for his decision-making, especially in late-game situations. Williams has had no such issues in the clutch.

The evidence was on display again Sunday. That’s why with the outcome still undecided in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, and Chicago’s offense having sputtered for nearly three full quarters, Bears head coach Ben Johnson remained confident.

Williams had earned that confidence.

“We just get back on the horse and keep going,” Johnson said.

It will be interesting to see just how far the Bears can go with Williams leading the way. They’re certainly placing their destiny in his hands.