Quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears offense took a leap forward Sunday against the Packers.

Not only did the unit assemble an efficient performance through four quarters, orchestrating four scoring drives in seven possessions en route to 391 total yards, they put the Bears in position to win late in the game with an impressive two-minute operation.

While the Bears ultimately fell 20-19 after the Packers blocked Cairo Santos' 46-yard field goal attempt as time expired, the offense's performance elicited a collective sense of pride among its players.

"We just fought today as a team," running back D'Andre Swift said. "I like the way we came out, the way we fought through adversity. When we woke up today, we knew it was going to be a fight to the end. Just proud of the way we fought. Wish it would've ended differently, but I like the work."

"I think we just look to the positivity of it and knowing that we're that close," receiver Rome Odunze added. "We're fighting to the very end, and we need to continue to do so because in this league, it's often gonna come down to those type of plays and those type of situations."

That fight was specifically highlighted by the Bears' seven-play, 42-yard end-of-game drive, where Williams worked back from a third-and-19 situation following two consecutive sacks. He found Odunze for a 16-yard gain over the middle before going right back to his fellow rookie for a 21-yard connection down the right sideline to convert on fourth-and-3.

"When it comes to two-minute and things like that, it's find your one-on-ones and find your guys. When it's time to make plays, make plays," Williams said. "Obviously still have the routine plays, but at that moment, it was time to make plays. We did a good job with finding Rome and Rome finding space and sitting right there, making sure I saw him. Just let it rip and let him make plays.

"Then on the fade ball, just good call by 'TB' (offensive coordinator Thomas Brown), I think they would be expecting a run or getting something there that sticks. This is a matchup league, as everybody tells you. To be able to have my guy Rome one-on-one with somebody, one off the line, kind of knowing that the DB's in catch-up mode, give him a back shoulder ball. [We're] either going to get a PI or he's going to catch it. He did just that, made the catch, great catch, unbelievable catch, and got us going."

Williams kept the drive moving with a 12-yard completion to receiver Keenan Allen before a 2-yard rush by running back Roschon Johnson set up the field-goal attempt with three seconds on the clock.

"That's real quarterbacking at a high level," coach Matt Eberflus said of the final drive. "For [Williams] to make that connection with the guy that he was drafted with, I think is special. Really nice by those guys. But again, it takes protection. I know we took those two sacks to start that, but again it's about overcoming adversity and that was on display in that drive."

What Williams and Co. were able to do in their final possession encapsulated the level of improvement the entire offense displayed Sunday, which started with the rookie quarterback.

Tight end Cole Kmet, who caught three passes for 42 yards, believes "this was the cleanest [Williams] has been in the huddle and with the operation." But more importantly, the veteran saw Williams step up when it mattered most.

"Making the adjustment for him is like, he doesn't have to be the No. 1 overall pick all the time," Kmet said. "I think when the moment calls for it, then we need that. And at the end of the game, when you take two sacks to start to drive, okay, now the No. 1 pick's gotta come out. That came out, and that showed itself, so that was really cool to see that."

Williams finished with 231 yards on 23 completions, recording a 74.2% completion rate – the second-highest of his career – while distributing the ball to six different receivers. Odunze was his leading target, as the rookie caught six of his 10 targets for 65 yards. DJ Moore followed close behind with catches on each of his seven targets for 62 yards.

What elevated Williams' performance even more Sunday was his involvement in the run game – he recorded a season-high 70 yards on nine carries.

"Lanes opened up," Williams said. "My only goal is to help this team win. If a lane opens up, and to be able to go get a few yards, play efficient ball, keep us in very manageable situations, that's my job. That's what happened today."

The rushing attack also produced against the Packers as Swift and Johnson each reached the end zone, adding to each of their season totals for a team-high five touchdowns. Swift led the ground game with 71 yards on 14 carries while Johnson rushed 13 times for 33 yards.

Johnson had the first TD with a 1-yard rush toward the end of the first half while Swift showed off his speed with an explosive 39-yard touchdown run to put the Bears up 19-14 with 39 seconds left in the third quarter.

The offense's success Sunday started upstairs in the booth with newly appointed offensive coordinator Thomas Brown as the play caller.

Brown spoke to the media Wednesday — a day after being named to his new post — and discussed his responsibility for "being able to try and find the best way to be effective with our playmakers," adding that "everything for me starts up front."

Brown's ability to stay true to those sentiments and create a spark of energy throughout the offense was noticed by the unit's leaders throughout the week and especially on Sunday.

"I felt really good about the plan coming in and credit to TB for getting things together and asking a little bit more of everybody this week," Kmet said. "I thought that showed out on the field today. There's a lot of things that we can still get better at, but his commitment to the run game was awesome to see, using Caleb and his legs, and then be able to do some play-action stuff downfield — all really good stuff. I thought Caleb also did a really good job today. Those two just did a really good job stepping up this week, and I thought it showed on the field."