Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 6 following his strong performance in Sunday’s 31-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Williams completed 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards and one touchdown in the game played on the road. This marks his second time receiving the award this season, the first being in Week 3 when he threw four touchdowns in a 31-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Williams joins former Bears quarterback Jay Cutler as the only players in franchise history to earn two Offensive Player of the Week honors. Cutler earned the accolade in Week 16 of 2009 and Week 12 of 2010. Additionally, Williams became the second Bears player this season to be named Offensive Player of the Week during the first six weeks, following running back D’Andre Swift, who earned the distinction in Week 1 with a career-high three touchdowns and 124 rushing yards in a 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers. This marks the first time two Bears have won the award this early in the season.

Returning from a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury, Williams posted a career-high completion percentage of 83.3% and set a season high with 305 passing yards. He began the game with a streak of 12 consecutive completions. His touchdown pass to Colston Loveland in the first quarter was Williams’ 50th career touchdown, making him the third quarterback in NFL history, alongside Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, to reach that milestone before throwing 15 interceptions; Williams has thrown 14 interceptions to date.

Williams and the Bears are scheduled to face the New England Patriots on Thursday night in a matchup featuring 2024 first-round quarterbacks, as Patriots rookie Drake Maye will be making his first start.

On the defensive side, Bears nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon delivered an impressive performance with three sacks and two forced fumbles, one of which the team recovered. Despite this, the NFC Defensive Player of the Week honor was awarded to New Orleans Saints cornerback Martin Emerson, who recorded seven tackles, four passes defensed, two interceptions, and a tackle for loss in a 34-27 road victory over the New York Giants.

The NFC Special Teams Player of the Week was Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland, who converted six field goals, including a game-winning 43-yarder as time expired, in an 18-16 upset against the Los Angeles Rams.