It’s halfway through the Bears’ 2025 season; as such, it’s enough of a sample size to grade.
TLDW2R:
A dynamic team on O and D with subpar specials.
Now, “dynamic” doesn’t necessarily equal “excellent.”
1. Dynamic:(of a process or system) characterized by constant change, activity, or progress.
Offense:
The Bears score 26.9 PPG [6th]
YDs per game. 378.4 [4rth]
Rush Yds per game. 144.4 [2nd]
Sacks allowed. 14 [T-6th fewest]
For me scoring [and preventing scores] are weighted heavily. I don’t care if they run 60 times a game, pass it 60 times, operate a wishbone/rpo/statue of liberty offense.
This ain’t the Olympics. No style points. Results are results.
Grade: B+
Nevertheless, Bears need to absolutely clean up the presnap penalties.
We should also keep in mind the strength of schedule [SOS] as it’s going to get significantly harder down the stretch.
Caleb Williams’ watch:
He looks to be improving even if marginally. I’ll share a bunch of stats on him, but my take thus far –
Caleb seems more comfortable in the pocket [esp with the opening scripted plays]but still needs to improve with ball placement, anticipation, and decision making.
A reg posted Caleb in wins/losses, so here’s what I found.
I was also curious what Caleb’s rating is vs Dallas/Cincy and what it is vs every other team. It’s important because both Dallas and Cincy are historically awful defensively.
It’s like Trubisky facing the Bucs twice that season and could totally throw off reality in such a short sample size.
vs CIN/DAL. Pass Rtg=131
vs Others. Pass Rtg=81.5
[the latter is worse than Fields, Penix, Tua, Rattler, Wentz, and Flacco…]
One MAJOR difference between Caleb and his predecessors [Trubisky/Fields] is that I don’t turn-off the TV if the Bears need a final 2-minute drive. Caleb seems to thrive in the crunch, and that can’t be quantified by stats.
Eli, Flacco and Hurts aren’t exactly first ballot HOFers, but they were money when it counted and now own SB rings; heck, if Grossman and Cutler were that clutch, they would own SB rings too. So arrow pointing up.
I’ll post the D/Specials manana.