Wait a minute! Shaky quarterback play, strong defense; I’ve been here before. I must be at Soldier Field. This is Chicago Bears football!
Caleb Williams started the game strong, looking for completions and truly playing “no mistake” football. I am all for that, especially getting the game going and speeding it up as the game progresses. That said, you could tell that he had issues with letting the rock go and throwing confident footballs. But, man, can this guy scoot!
DJ Moore on the loose (photo NY Times)
It was interesting having DJ Moore lined up in the backfield; I am not against it because Bears fans have been desperate for some offensive innovation. If it comes in the form of Moore lining up as a running back, then let’s do it. He looked comfortable, and I’m all about getting the ball to the skill players.
I would like to see it utilized in the red zone. With Moore in the backfield, there is an elite play-action opportunity. We have two capable tight ends, including 2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland, and a playmaker in 2024 first-round pick Rome Odunze, not to mention the 2025 second-round pick, Luther Burden.
Williams showed an elite pocket presence, and that may very well be his greatest skill. On the flip side of the ledger, the Bears had 12 penalties for 127 yards. That’s clearly an issue, but it can’t be blamed for the loss.
I do not have a problem with the timeout usage in the first half. However, I will say I always like having at least one timeout in case of a scoring opportunity before the half ends, and it’s inexcusable to give up points in the last 30 seconds of the half.
I’m not against the fourth-down call, either, and it was a great play design. Once again, though, Williams delivered an inaccurate ball that looked like he overdid it. Inaccurate passing was a theme for the entire night, and that’s troubling.
Rome Odunze (photo courtesy DraftKings)
I cannot say enough how great Rome Odunze looked. He’s an agile, energetic wide receiver with great hands and an even greater desire for the ball. So, I say, he needs the ball a lot more. That’s how you treat playmakers.
Now, for the defense…. The stop troops were gaining confidence after McCarthy’s first-half performance, playing up and biting on the underneath routes. Nahshon Wright recorded a pick-six that was executed perfectly. That is the Bears’ defense!
It was clear that Dennis Allen, the Bears’ DC, started to put the foot on the gas. Now, if the offense did the same, that would be complementary football. Defense wins the game; offense puts it away. That didn’t happen Monday night. Williams needs to make accurate throws, and Cairo Santos needs to convert. Put another way: play your positions well.
I did not like the pass interference call on Tyrique Stevenson, and it influenced the game by giving McCarthy and the Vikings another chance. So, what does he do? McCarthy delivers an absolute dime into the basket-like hands of Aaron Jones. This two-point conversion was successful, and momentum had flipped to Minnesota. The Bears follow with six straight 3-and-outs.
Williams looked weak against the blitz, and the defense should sue for lack of support. Since 1970, NFL stats show that teams that record a pick-six have a 77% chance of winning. Didn’t happen Monday night largely because Williams sustained inaccuracy. Key play? Late in the 4th, Caleb Williams overthrows DJ Moore—a horrendous throw from an accuracy standpoint because the ball was not even in the vicinity.
The kickoff at the end was maddening! I mean, Coach Johnson, why is the ball not kicked out of bounds? I know the understanding was that Santos would kick it out of the back of the end zone, but he also missed a field goal. The ball was eight yards short of the back of the end zone, and the decision made on the kickoff lacked the importance of the 2-minute warning timeout. Mistake by the rookie head coach? Possibly.
From an in-game coaching standpoint, I get the feeling that Coach Johnson needs to be as close to perfection as possible this year. Chicago is desperate for stellar quarterback play and coaching, and most importantly, to be a competent team in the National Football League.
