Update. Bears are now tied for #1 with the Lions in the NFCN!
Few additional take-aways from Sunday.
1. Bears seemingly always get shafted with penalties.
The refs didn’t hesitate to throw a roughing passer on Sewell when it was basically against the laws of physics for him to avoid the hit.
Yet same refs, same games, didn’t throw the flag on Giants’ defender doing his best Sagat Tiger Knee to Caleb’s head.
The crowd let the refs know it too. Think it was collectively getting the red-headed step child treatment for seemingly forever. I don’t know what Ben Johnson can do without getting fined, but SOMETHING must be done about this apparent unfavorable treatment. This game was relatively flag-less for Bears, but history says It could cost the Bears a playoff spot, or even a WC win down the line.
2. Caleb scrambled more
Cbear said he’d like to see Caleb run it more when it’s not there [+ to get down quickly], and BJ must’ve heard as Caleb seemed to scramble more.
It wasn’t accidental either.
Courtney Cronin
DJ Moore on why the Bears are seeing an increase of critical scrambles from Caleb Williams: “I think he got the green light to go ahead and use his legs more because teams are playing 2-mans, quarters and man-to-man, so he can just be able to get out with his legs and be another weapon.”
In other words, unlike Trubisky and Fields, Caleb‘s arm is forcing Ds off the LOS which opens up runlanes for him and the HBs. It’s also worth noting that they’re scrambles not designed Dart-runs which gets him killed every week. Caleb seems to only really resort to scrambles when absolutely necessary [unlike Fields].
3. BJ needs to cut Olamide Zacchaeus‘ snaps and give them to Burden and Loveland.
- Find some alternative to Sewell. Teams are just gonna keep attacking him in the pass which also stresses the run D
- Jarrett snaps also need to be reduced. Seems like every time he’s in, a big play pops. Problem is Chris Williams ain’t it either. Bears may just be stuck here.
- More run por favor, BJ
Game balls.
- Caleb Offense
- CJ Gardner-Johnson Defense
Shot out to Montez Sweat for his 4.5 sack in last 4 games; he’s absolutely not Dayoing it.
On that note some are saying Ryan Poles needs to revamp the D. I’m not sure he’s CAPABLE of it. Dayo and Jarrett are going to cost the cap in ’26 $20M/$19M respectively.
The wind was a big factor in the game. It forced both teams to go for it instead of settle for FGs.
Result? They were a combined 2-8 in successfully converting a 4rth down which I think is least efficient 4rth down conversion rate in a few years. They essentially turned it over a combined 6 times on downs alone.
Maybe Darnell Wright needs to start a political podcast named, “No Spin Zone”!