Alaskan Grizzly

According to Google they are 32nd overall. And Chicago is 25th.

Agreed. I’m a believer, at this point, that Johnson can adapt his offense to play to the players talents (ie: Swifts running game improvement - and really the running game overall). Now we just need to see the passing game improve. Especially more TE plays where they aren’t just blocking. If there’s a defense to do more of that against, it’s Baltimore.

Williams had 172 yards passing, 0 TDs, and 1 INT (61.7 rating) against the Saints 27th ranked pass defense last week. Fortunately right now the Ravens are ranked 31st against the pass .

A trip back in time when Tyler Hundley last played the Bears. November 2021. Hundley was informed, as he boarded the bus to the game, that he’d be starting in place of an ill Jackson. Bears HC was Nagy. Bears starting QB was Andy Dalton while rookie Justin Fields watched from the bench.

Bears offense needs to do better when given the opportunity to score. Bears D caused the ball to be turned over 4 times and only scored three points (in the opening FG) as a result. 12 of the Bears 26 points were from FGs and the other two scores (TDs) were rushing TDs. Sure the running game is clicking and could run down the clock but the passing game needs to do better and come alive. The issue seems to be somewhere between scheming and execution. Still not a fan of Dennis Allen but I will give him props on leading the TO ratio. Obviously with a fair number of his starters out he'll be challenged to put up decent numbers against better teams (is Baltimore one of those?). During last weeks game against NO there was a time the defense couldn't stop NO from scoring TDs (14 unanswered points). Had the QB been Drew Brees (or maybe even Derek Carr) the game could've had a totally different outcome.

Admittedly I haven't seen the all-22 but I have noticed that Swift is more of a blocker reliant style of runner. He needs the plays to develop as they are drawn for him to excel. I was recently watching some of his college highlithts and even when he played in Georgia he was known to follow his blocker (esp in the open field) right up to the point of engagement (some call that patience). Maybe because he waits so long to decide which side he's going to make the cut it gets him within too close proximity of the tackler (??) I'd think this also might be a symptom of him slowing down a little but like I said earlier, he did it in college too. Monangai I haven't seen much of other than to say he's more effective between the tackles than is Swift. And so was Johnson....theoretically.

There was a video you shared a few days ago that highlighted the defensive production to this point. What impressed me were the repeated shots of the 'old timers' Edmunds and especially Byard and how well the both of them are doing. Byard came on strong late last year so he's been consistent not just in this season's window. He's deserving of the accolades he's been getting for sure.

Nor does he have any real trade value right now. He's averaging ~ 1 catch a game for a total of 132 yards so far. He's doing great as a blocking back though.

Kmet to me is in a difficult 'evaluation' phase due to neither he nor Loveland have really been used much in the much ballyhooed 12 man offense that Johnson is known to deploy. Unless that is if you consider the TEs as primarily blockers...then 'yeah' maybe. Of course now with him possibly injured that complicates things more for him. I have a concern of letting him go would equate to a Greg Olsen type loss. Where he would flourish into an HOF TE when utilized properly. Moore yeah....as much as it pains me....Burden is that guy...at a much lower cost. Jarrett - no joke. Has he even played yet? Edmunds...sadly he's come on late in his career but I could see either Sewell or Hyppolite (especially) supplanting him. In reading the injury report, Edmunds is listed as "Questionable" so maybe we'll see some of Hyppolite this weekend as he's currently listed as his backup. And I'd add another for consideration. That being Swift. I'm a huge fan but I could see him doing well enough the rest of this year that he could be a valuable trade piece to a team that needs a decent RB (at least on paper). And if my theory is correct that Johnson is good at adapting to his player's strengths and continues to effectively use outside zone, then he can really plug and play a similar RB in there to get 1,000 yards.

Well said Jason.

Well if Baltimore is as putrid as you think they are then it should go to reason. Unless somehow Monangai supplants him and does better with his opportunities. The only things I see changing the running game from its current domination are Caleb doing better at passing (overall) and the involving of Kmet and Loveland more than they have so far.

We're going to see a lot of difference in QB play between Rattler and a returning Jackson...after a bye. Add in they are 1-5 and they're looking for a strong and convincing bounce back game. Right now the Bears rank 26th total defense and 31st in Rushing defense - a strong concern when you have players like Jackson and Henry on the slate. The Ravens offense (without Jackson) is ranked 29th in Passing and 23rd in total offense. They are 10th when measuring their rushing production. Sure the Bears leading the NFL in takeaways is great but the offense needs to be able to do something with it when given the chance. Conversely (and as Adam pointed out) the Ravens defense ranks 29th in total defense, 28th in pass defense and 26th in rush defense. There is the chance the Bears can go go back and forth with them throughout the game but they'd have to start scoring from the minute they step out of the tunnel to do it...Or so I think.

Beyond the struggles of Caleb during this last game, I noted a few things that were interesting: 1) the running game seemed to focus more on inside zone rushing this time vs outside zone (or so it seemed from a TV viewership perspective). And as is typical with Swift, the more he ran, the longer the gains...especially late in the game. Monangai even benefitted and of the two is a much better inside runner. 2) despite the promise to improve on it, our TEs were still pretty un-involved. Unless you count their being used for blocking. This could be in part because Caleb kept looking long (and predominantly #15) but still, after halftime it seems that would have been discussed at least and changed to some level

This 👆🤣

Two great defensive plays in one! 🤷🏻‍♂️

Didn’t they just show a graphic where Williams was 100% (7/7 I believe) while being blitzed vs something like 7/10 when not?

I love me some Swift! At least Caleb threw to recievers not named Odunze this last drive. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Uhm..😐 NO scores in back to back drives .

Caleb is aware there are other recievers besides Odunze on the team right?

I would agree but…we are Bears fans and always skeptical. But also willing to look a gift horse in the mouth. Lol

My wife just made the same sentiment…

The refs haven’t done much favor for the Bears but missed a few calls against them too so at least their being consistent.

Thankfully NO’s offense (and Rattler) are ranked near the bottom in most categories. Weird there defense is higher than CHi and stronger on the running game.

Monangai wide open two times for the check down. 1st one on the INT and the second during that scramble that went nowhere….settled for FG. 😔

So Rattler is less rattled when under pressure? 🥁 I’ll see myself out.