Caleb Williams Bears Playoff Run-stats Tell A Twist
- 01. Playoff box score (single game)
- 02. Context: season-to-playoffs bridge
- 03. Key moments that shaped the playoff numbers
- 04. Play-by-play timeline (condensed)
- 05. Advanced metrics & film takeaways
- 06. Comparative quick table: Regular season vs. Playoffs (2025-26)
- 07. Quotes and contemporary reaction
- 08. What this means for Williams' trajectory
- 09. Quick-reference bullet summary
- 10. Sources
Caleb Williams finished the 2026 playoffs with 1 game played, 23 completions on 42 attempts for 257 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 40 rushing yards, and a playoff passer rating of 71.4 in the Bears' 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams on January 17, 2026.
Playoff box score (single game)
The table below shows Williams' official postseason line from the Chicago Bears' lone 2026 playoff game and the key game context. Playoff box lines are taken from game summaries and team reports.
| Stat | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Game | Divisional - vs. Los Angeles Rams | OT loss, Jan 17, 2026 |
| Completions/Attempts | 23/42 | Completion rate 54.8% |
| Passing yards | 257 | Includes 1 deep TD to Cole Kmet |
| Passing TDs | 2 | One TD on 4th-and-4 late in regulation |
| Interceptions | 3 | One interception came in OT, final throw of season |
| Rushing yards | 40 | Scramble yardage, added mobility |
| Passer rating | 71.4 | Official postseason rating |
| Result | Loss 20-17 (OT) | Rams field goal in OT decided the game |
Context: season-to-playoffs bridge
Williams entered that playoff contest after a 2025 regular season in which he threw for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns with 7 interceptions across 17 games, breaking the franchise single-season passing yard record previously held by Erik Kramer.
Chicago's 11-6 finish under head coach Ben Johnson built around Williams' rapid development and allowed the Bears to secure a playoff berth for the first time in 15 years; the team's offense showed explosive upside but occasional turnover issues.
Key moments that shaped the playoff numbers
- Late 4th-quarter drive - Williams converted a 4th-and-4 with a touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet that pushed the game to overtime.
- Overtime interception - Williams' overtime interception was the decisive swing; the Rams converted the turnover into a game-winning field goal.
- Big-play ability - The touchdown to Kmet was widely described as one of the season's most impressive playoff throws, highlighting Williams' arm talent under pressure.
- Turnover pattern - The three interceptions in the game amplified concerns about risk-taking in Williams' intermediate reads; his regular-season 7 INTs suggested this was an extension, not an anomaly.
Play-by-play timeline (condensed)
- First half: Bears and Rams traded scores; Williams completed multiple medium-range passing sequences to set up field-position plays. First half possession charts showed balanced play-calling.
- Late 4th: Williams led a 7-play, 86-yard drive culminating in a 14-yard touchdown on 4th-and-4 with 27 seconds left to tie the game. Late 4th scoring drive was the game-defining moment.
- Overtime: Williams threw an interception on his first OT possession; Rams converted shortly after for a field goal to win 20-17. Overtime interception ended the Bears' season.
Advanced metrics & film takeaways
Pro Football Focus graded Williams across the season as having 28 big-time throws and 19 turnover-worthy plays; his average depth of target was 8.9 yards and time-to-throw averaged 3.24 seconds - figures that translated into the playoff contest's mix of volatility and explosiveness.
Analysts noted Williams' passer profile in the playoffs combined elite downfield accuracy on high-leverage throws with occasionally risky decisions in tight windows, producing both the game-tying touchdown and multiple interceptions. Analyst notes emphasized decision-making as the improvement area.
Comparative quick table: Regular season vs. Playoffs (2025-26)
This compact comparison highlights how Williams' efficiency and volume changed from the regular season into his single postseason appearance. Regular vs Playoff contrasts are useful for modelable signals and quick reader takeaways.
| Category | 2025 Regular Season | 2026 Playoffs (single game) |
|---|---|---|
| Games | 17 | 1 |
| Passing yards | 3,942 | 257 |
| Passing TDs | 27 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 7 | 3 |
| Yards per attempt | 6.9 | 6.12 |
| Passer rating | 90.1 | 71.4 |
Quotes and contemporary reaction
"We had our chances; Caleb made plays when we needed them and we came up short on a few throws," Bears head coach Ben Johnson said after the game on January 17, 2026, emphasizing both the bright spots and the turnovers. Coach Ben comments framed the game as a learning moment.
What this means for Williams' trajectory
Williams' single-game playoff performance reinforced the narrative that he is an elite playmaker with occasional turnover propensity; teams and analysts will cite the 3-INT outing as a targeted area for offseason development while praising his late-game toughness. Future trajectory conversations after Jan 2026 focused on refining reads under pressure.
Given his franchise-record regular season and the high-leverage touchdown throw in the postseason, expectation signals remain high for Williams to lead deeper postseason runs in subsequent years if turnovers are reduced. Expectation signals are anchored to his 2025 totals and the playoff performance.
Quick-reference bullet summary
- Playoff games played: 1 (Divisional vs. Rams, Jan 17, 2026). Single appearance fact.
- Playoff passing line: 23/42, 257 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT. Official line for the game.
- Rushing: 40 yards. Added mobility shown in the box score.
- Result: 20-17 OT loss. Game result ended Bears' season.
- Season context: 3,942 regular-season yards, franchise record for single-season passing yards. Franchise record set in 2025.
Sources
Game and box score reporting drawn from contemporary game recaps and season stat summaries published in January 2026. Contemporary sources include Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, and team press reports.
Everything you need to know about Caleb Williams Bears Playoff Run Stats Tell A Twist
How many playoff games did Caleb Williams play in 2026?
Caleb Williams played one playoff game in the 2026 postseason - the divisional loss to the Los Angeles Rams on January 17, 2026.
What were Williams' cumulative playoff stats for 2026?
His cumulative postseason totals for 2026 are 23 completions on 42 attempts for 257 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 40 rushing yards, and a passer rating of 71.4.
Did Caleb Williams throw any notable playoff touchdowns?
Yes - Williams' 4th-and-4 touchdown pass to Cole Kmet from the Rams' 14-yard line with 27 seconds remaining in regulation is widely cited as one of the season's most memorable clutch throws.
Did the Bears win a playoff game in 2026?
No - the Bears lost the divisional-round game in overtime to the Rams, 20-17, ending their playoff run in January 2026.