I’m a bit exhausted right now, so I’ll keep it short.
Hell motherfucking ya!
Rapid fire reactions:
1. This team is finally turning the corner
I said when Matt Eberflus was hired that the team needed to learn how to win. They never did. In fact, they found new innovative ball-kicking ways to lose that would even make the Chargers proud.
This team faced a lot of adversity in this game. For starters, given the whole ‘fail mary’ last season added pressure. MNF – pressure. Away game. Pressure. Underdogs. Pressure. Not ideal conditions. Pressure. Washington Refs. Pressure. Dropped passes, questionable play-calling, busted coverages, shoddy specials’ gunning, blocked FG. Pressure, pressure, pressure.
Yet, Bears never cracked. They kept slugging it out, REFUSING to quit. They kept tugging, punching, clawing…returning all that pressure right back to WASH ’til they cracked on a hand-off. A Flusian critical mistake.
Then Bears did what they rarely did under Flus.
FINISH.
The game boiled down to what I wanted – the ball in BJ/Caleb’s court to win or lose; they proceeded to march down field sans mistakes, executing, making WASH use TOs, RUNNING it [successfully] ’til they basically made the final FG a PAT attempt.
Fade to black…
2. Ben Johnson countered the blitz.
I shared in the game-day thread that WASH uses a lot of zone [3rd most], but they zigged on Monday. They blitzed more than usual, no doubt trying to throw off the plan.
However, Ben Johnson was ready. He used draws, screens and bombs to make WASH think twice. Here’s a creative screen which neither Trub or Fields could consistently pull off.
Despite that awesome throw to Rome being called back on an absolute BS call, the rationale was right. Attack the blitz. If they’re going to single your best weapon, go balls-deep. Make them pay.
It’s smart and aggressive – like Ben Johnson.
3. Tip-o-hat to run O/D.
My #1 MUST was to stop the run. They did – sorta. Or at least, they didn’t get completely run over, even forcing a Merritt fumble.
On paper, doesn’t seem like that much of a differential.
Bears total rushing yds: 145
Comm total rushing yds: 124
However, how they got there differed. D’Andre Swift was mostly responsible for the Bears, especially late to seal the deal.
While Jayden Daniels had to pull some Houdini escapes, getting crunched along the way.
Besides, let’s face it – we were all expecting WASH to steam-roll Bears’ D, so Bears limiting the #1 running attack to 4.0 ypc shocked me TBH, as did Swift averaging 7.7 per.
Holy shit, who had that on their bingo card?
Misc:
Can’t discuss the game without mentioning the total dogshit officiating. Dr. Rev Huge Bears’ Penis warned us this crew threw a lot of flags, but Moses Krishna Christ, at least PRETEND to do it fairly. Refs tried everything possible to give the game to the Commies, yet the Bears still prevailed.
Apparently, DJ Moore was hospitalized after the game. Let’s hope it’s merely precautionary.
Troy Aikman also seemed to be hating on Caleb Williams. People noticed, Troy. Was it the UCLA-USC rivalry or have his concussions finally creeped in?
Despite all that, it was a FANTASTIC Bears’ victory. It felt more emotionally draining than usual for some reason. Maybe it was just me, but the whole game felt tense with all the ups-n-downs and refs making Bears play with one arm tied behind their backs.
Making the win that much sweeter.
“Whatever does not kill us, only makes us stronger.” – Nietzsche
Good Better Best!
Never let it rest!
Until your good gets better!
And your better gets best!
Bear Down.