Da Dos

Tag: Week 9

  • Mid-Term Grades ’25

    Mid-Term Grades ’25

    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.

  • Rapid Recap Bears@Bengals. Wild Jungle Shoot-out!

    Rapid Recap Bears@Bengals. Wild Jungle Shoot-out!

    So this game I decided to try something a lil different. Instead of commenting I decided to take notes as the game went along which includes facts, stats and observations. So this is basically a game log. I’ll share more crazy stuff about the game perhaps manana.

    Butch Game Notes:

    That was fast! [opening return TD]

    Bears’ O entered game 26th in redzone efficiency [converting a TD only 47.8% of time]

    Bailed out twice

    Bengals penalty [PI] on 3rd and 10, extended drive that resulted in Bear TD

    Bengals [HB Brown] Dropped easy pass that wouldā€™ve gone for big yards

    [2nd QTR]

    – Bears have a negative penalty yd differential in every game

    – Bears have 16 false starts this season

    -Since bye Bears have rushed for 137 yds designed runs per game. 2nd in the NFL

    -21% explosive run plays

    – Offsides Bengals. Santos Missed 47 yarder
    which Turned into Zaccheaus TD

    – Misdirection run game dominant

    -Bengals Ineligible man made 3rd 2 into 2nd 7
    3rd and 2 false start now 3rd and 7
    Brisker/CJ blitz, HB took Brisker, CJ sack
    Bengals keep shooting themselves in the foot

    -12/11 play TD drives

    –Caleb failed to see an easy check down [84]. Turned into 3rd and 14.

    – Fantastic booming punt by Tori

    – Sweat swat FF [or so we thought]!

    –Billings smart. Didnā€™t quit on play. Even got some yds after recovery. Sign of good coaching.

    -Agree with Archuleta
    Caleb must make decisions faster.
    Don’t know if he has to keep reminding us of this every other play.

    -Caleb seems to be running more this game

    -Deadball 15 yd penalty next to redzone

    -Calebā€™s inaccuracy INJed Kmet [2nd QTR 4:18]. Instead of YAC, he’s in the blue tent.

    -Only scrambled 3 times since bye. Cost of easy checkdowns
    -Getting off spot, scrambled 4 times in this game already,
    -Ball placement just a smidgen off

    -5 min drive. 7ypc going into Half!
    Three 10+ play drives

    Monangai 16car, 99yds, 6.2 per

    -3rd and 3 goal line terrible. 6 Olinemen
    No chance
    Needed to get Caleb on run
    Settled for FG, saved a TO for Bengals; still 1:29 left for Flacco

    -Awful KO coverage again. Bengals return ball to 45

    –Higgins TD great catch on Wright

    -Nother dumb Bears’ penalty wipes out 50 yd return
    More bad SP teams. Blocked Santos’ 47 yd attempt which appeared low anyways.

    ā€”——Halfā€”—-

    Monangai 16/100/6.3 long of 18 [1rec]
    Caleb. 9/15/93 yds 1 TD[rec] 101.1 rating
    JJ McCarthy 10/16 85yds 2TDs 89.8 rating [vs Lions]

    ā€”——
    -Bengals 32nd vs run allowing 152 per game

    -3rd and goal at 1 yd line.
    Delay of game Caleb
    Procedural penalty. More stupid penalties.

    Laser to 84! [Loveland]

    [Dowdle Panthers Key and Peel pump celebration!]

    –Flacco more accurate than Williams
    Lethal. Perfect ball placement to Higgins twice
    CB there, just a finger off

    -Beautiful Rome blocking on Brittain Brown TD scamper
    Oline sealed off backside too on 2nd lvl
    Brown finishes

    Bears almost more 1st downs than Bengals TOTAL plays 3rd QTR 1:18 left

    Booker strip. He destroyed the OT with one hand!

    -Getting too cute
    3rd and 8 waaaay too confused.. Late motion. Almost another PS flag 13:20 4rth QTR

    3rd 16, Bengals get 20 to Chase FML
    Intentional grounding obvious.
    Short FG!

    -Big Monangai run. DJ solid block.. Bengals bad tackling [Battle]
    Staying in bounds. Runs like a smart Marion Barber.

    4th QTR…
    -Looked like a DJ Moore TD, not fumble/touchback Avoided disaster

    -Good TO by BJ to reset D in redzone.
    Edmunds INT! Man that was ticky-tack application of rule. Fingertip brushes Edmunds negates awesome TD run back

    -Bengals’ Redzone D allows a score 70% of time [30th]
    30 secs to score TD on terrible Bears’ D.

    –Archuleta ā€œI don’t think I’ve seen a D collapse in the last 2 mins like that everā€™
    Bengals outscore Bears 15-0 in 49 secs

    -8 lead changes – 2 in last 58 secs
    Bengals with 15 missed tackles [16 officially]
    4 different players threw passes for Bears

    Caleb with the dagger to Loveland!