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What’s with these new guys and hyphenated names? Gardner-Johnson and now this guy? Gonnna run out of room on their jerseys at some point. Or make the font so small you won’t be able to see it.

To be a top 5 offense wasn't even under consideration for me when I started contemplating what realistic expectations were for the offense this year. I thought they'd be marginally improved—somewhere in the 20's—but top 5 is remarkable. Obviously, as someone mentioned, the level of competition is going to ramp up the rest of the way. We'll see where the numbers stand at the end of the season, but Ben Johnson did say this team would be playing their best ball in December and January. If he's right about that, things could get exciting.

I never thought I’d say this but I really hope Dom Rob gets well quickly.

They only had 3 healthy DE's on the active roster coming into this week (Sweat, Booker, Hardy). They had to do something—I just wish it was for somebody who can actually help. This guy has 5 tackles and 0 sacks on the season. You can find somebody on the street for that kind of production.

Details later a lot more in the red zone. I highly doubt it’s all on Caleb with everyone learning a new offense.

COVID Year I believe, and it was just Joe Tryon back then to TB.

That is fair, but that is why you wait until the sample size is large enough to be useful. In this case, we are basically through half of the season with a top 5 offense. Even with a tougher schedule, that will drop some, but I doubt they fall out of the top 10.

Of the 22 attempts from the 11-20, 15 of them were 10 yards or more to go. 5 of those were over 10 yards to go. That is what is missing. In the other 7 plays with under 10 yards to go, he completed 5 passes (5-7), with 3 for 1st Downs and 1 TD. The one INT he had in this range was the crazy tip and catch by Crosby, which was kinda fluky. Of the 7 3rd Downs between the 11-20, Caleb completed 5-7 passes, one incomplete being the Crosby INT, and one to Rome against DAL. So it seems like negative plays or penalties have more to do with the RZ troubles than something specifically related to Williams.

It is a weird situation because it's not the entire Red Zone. It looks like it is between the 10 and the 20. In that range, Williams is at his worst, 12-22, 54.5%, 1 TD, 1 INT. Inside the 10, he gets better, 7-11, 63.6%, 5 TD, 0 INT. So there are a lot of factors, that could impact that range, down and distance, play call, etc. I would have to map out all 22 attempts and see what the subset of plays looked like, because just on the surface they look the same, but 3rd and 15 at the 18 is much different than 3rd and 4 from the 8.

all these stats say Williams is doing well - not that he doesnt need to grow, but doing well and growing each week. And yet there is so much hate from the internet and distrust even on this board. I think we are so snake-bit at the QB position that some of us are afraid to believe. But the numbers say it a million different ways, and the play on the field does too. Dont be afraid to love again!

What is the Mandela effect is i do not remember this guy being a 1st round prospect or pick.

Not to be Debbie Downer, but they have also played bottom barrel defenses. The Bears are starting to put it together, so they might still perform offensively.

I'm not saying Johnson is better than Ditka or Lovie (not saying he isnt either) but what I am saying is that I don't remember a coach who could so quickly identify issues and then make adjustments. Like the running game before and after the bye week. Johnson knows whats wrong, and he finds ways to fix it. Whether that be with the running game where the fix seems "real" or with resorting to trick plays in the Red Zone. BJ knew we needed touchdowns and not field goals, and he found a way to manufacture them. As for Williams, I freely admit he is not a finished product, not by a longshot. I wont be happy until he is a top 3 QB. But where he is right now, is on time, and he's doing pretty well despite the mistakes and all that. He's on pace for over 4,000 yards now, and he has shown the ability to do what it takes to win games at the end. I agree he needs to do better in the Red Zone for sure. But i also think it's all coming, it just takes time. Im seeing all the indications I need to see to say he is on his way to greatness, but that is not the same thing as already being great.

Low cost, low risk move here. Former 1st Round pick.

Bears traded for new DE, 15 sacks in 75 games. They trade a 6th, and get back a 7th. #Bears adding depth by picking up former first-round DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka from the #Browns.

Edmunds was my prediction player to breakout in July.

I think more of Edmunds as an old timer mostly because he’s been playing for what seems like a long time…or just doing well…esp in Buffalo. My wife doesn’t even know Byards name. Just calls him ol timer when she sees him make a play. 😆

Ditka and Lovie were different style coaches especially from one another . And both took the Bears to a Super Bowl. Johnson’s day is still to come but I think (hope) it will. And a little critique of your guy Caleb . I think a large reason why the team struggles in the Red Zone is because of him. I noticed that the first TD was a result of Johnson’s trickery and essentially taking the ball out of Williams’ hands … only to give it back to him as a receiving TD. However, as the game went along, Caleb got better. And I would hope against the Bengals defense he would. As the head into the games against tougher opponents I’m hoping both he and Johnson recognize this and focus on his (Williams’) improvement there. As far as between the 20s, Williams seems to be dialing it in. Which is a good thing.

It is funny seeing Edmunds considered an old timer at 27 and only a year older than Brisker. Moving Edmunds out of the middle was the key. Byard has also exceeded my expectations. There was a year where Jaylon Johnson would've had like 10 INTs, but they kept getting called or a penalty would negate them. Even with 4, Byard should have at least 6 right now.

I was a fan when he was drafted. Wouldn’t have minded at the time if the Bears had gotten him. Admittedly wasn’t too overly impressed with him when he came to Chicago but you’re right, he’s grown into his role in Chicago-town. Interesting that both he and Byard (the old timers on the team) had an INT at the end of the game last week; although Byard’s was called back. He’s also been doing great this year. Most of the defensive highlights this year seem to feature both these guys each week.

He may not be getting much attention, but he is currently top 5 in tackles per game, is tied for the league lead in INTs with 4, has 1 sack, and a 67.2 Passer Rating against. For how bad the pash rush has been, he has been playing very solid in his new position.

Caleb's EPA/Dropback is +0.07, which is the same as Justin Herbert's, higher than Mayfield's, Hurts, Nix, Daniels, Rodgers, etc.

Kpassagnon was cut a few weeks ago and is on the Colts currently.

The Bears offensive rankings after 8 games with last season's rankings as a comparison. It is like two different teams. Point Per Game: 26.9 (6th) > 18.2 (28th) Yards Per Game: 378.4 (T-3rd) > 283.5 (32nd) Yards Per Play: 5.9 (T-4th) > 4.5 (32nd) EPA/Play: +0.04 (9th) > -0.13 (26th) Pass Yds Per Game: 234.0 (10th) > 181.5 (31st) Rush Yds Per Game: 144.4 (2nd) > 102.0 (25th) The last time the Bears had an offense that ranked in the top 10 in Pts and Yds was 2013 (2nd in Pts, 8th in Yds). Last season's top 10 scoring teams all had winning records, and 9 out of 10 made the playoffs. The only team that didn't make the playoffs was the Bengals at 9-8. However, they were nowhere near as balanced as the Bears' offense is this year.

Another factor in this game is that the Giants will more than likely be sellers at the deadline, so they may have lesser of a team come Sunday. Not that it should matter, the Bears should beat them regardless, but that could be another factor.