Caleb Williams Rises in MVP Race but Faces Tough Fantasy Test
On November 3, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was emerging as an NFL MVP contender after leading his team to three straight wins, while fantasy analysts cautioned that his recent scoring pace and a Week 9 matchup with Tampa Bay make him a less certain start.
Williams’ season changed sharply after a hamstring strain sidelined him for three games. Since returning, he has guided Chicago to three consecutive victories, including a dominant Week 8 win over Seattle on Monday night. The Bears are 6–2, and Williams has entered the league’s MVP conversation despite missing time early in the season.
In five games, Williams has completed 70.9% of his passes for 1,267 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. He added a touchdown pass and 247 yards on 24 completions against Seattle, while running back D’Andre Swift scored three times on the ground. Chicago has not trailed in any game since Williams returned.
His recent success has not translated into elite fantasy production. Williams has averaged 20.2 fantasy points over his past three games, a rate that would place him around 15th among quarterbacks for the season. In that stretch, he has recorded 22 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. Chicago has scored eight passing touchdowns compared with 17 rushing scores, and the team runs on 62.3% of its red-zone plays.
The Bears face Tampa Bay in Week 9. The Buccaneers rank among the top five defenses in points and yards allowed and are also rated in the top 10 against both the pass and the run. Williams is projected as the 16th-ranked fantasy quarterback for the week: not a priority starter, but still a better option than available waiver-wire choices. Managers with another strong quarterback could consider sitting him.
Players: D'Andre Swift, Caleb Williams