Alaskan Grizzly

This. FWIW, Flacco led the Browns to defeat the Packers on week three of this year. Flacco was traded to Cincy 5 days and made the starter before he met the Packers again but wasn't able to pull of the win (losing 18-27). I'd make the case the Cincy's offense is better than Baltimore's - position wise. It appears the Bengals and Ravens may have swapped out on who has the worse defense. Right now Cincinnati is ranked 32nd overall, 31st against the pass and 30th against the run.

Some of what I saw from him yesterday was concerning and some not so. It appeared that about midway through the game he was doing 2 pt reads and only looking at half the field. I’d imagine that could be by design and that Johnson wants him to learn how to read the field more thoroughly or it’s just that Williams isn’t able to process it all. Later in the game, during garbage time, they put him into a two minute offense mode and he seemed to do better. Although then he was trying to push it to other receivers like Zaccheus and I believe Duverney and still missing. I’m always a fan of faster offense so maybe this is what they do more of?

Don’t overthink it. Just highlighting the guy who’s had a few crappy weeks lately. As a long time Bears fan I’m accustomed to root for the underdog.

Still think the fault lies somewhere between scheming and execution. Gotta lean in Johnson’s favor (only by a sliver). He made changes to the running game during the bye and that improved dramatically after that. As far as execution goes that mostly is on Caleb. Although the play calling and not doing things like involving your #1 pick this year and less running is inexcusable.

Was thinking earlier in the game are the Bears simply a “paper tiger” contender? Their defense hangs out near the bottom of most categories (aside from TOs), the offense ‘scores 21 in every game’ but barely win against the Raiders and the Commanders save for the last minute special teams heroics? And they barely lose against Minny early on who have since collapsed on themselves. Aside from the lopsided win against Dallas earlier, things haven’t been all that rosy.

Was just gonna say the Phoenix that is Justin Fields leads the Jets to their first win.

Ha. I joked last year about looking to get Manning when he comes out. Was hoping to be wrong. Of course he’s not exactly lighting it up in college right now.

And just like that, the “generational talent” throws an INT deep in their own field to the 32nd ranked defense in the NFL!

The old timer combo (Edmunds tip to Byard) ALMOST with a TO. If ever they needed one, that would have been it.

At least Swift continues to perform FINALLY with a TD to cap the last drive. Another nugget of trash-talking from the wife. This after a penalty on the last KO return by the Bears. “They have the discipline of a toddler.”

I’m sure he’s a nice guy though. 🤷🏻‍♂️. lol.

And Cairo with a withering FG attempt to end the half. Fitting.

Was just gonna comment on that . And just now Williams with his second intentional grounding - ugh.

Damn! I didn’t know Grady Jarret was playing. Thought he was taking the year off? Meanwhile a Dexter sighting with a sack! Nice!

Ouch.

So far the game has been relatively clean on penalty calls. One that I saw was questionable was early against Ravens when they were called for an offense face mask.

My wife’s comment right after the first play of this last drive, ‘Cmon Caleb look to both sides of the field and not just at Odunze ever time!’. Caleb threw out of bounds to the right with Monangai wide open on the left as a checkdown. Meanwhile of the “scripted” plays the offense looks pretty good between the 20s. In the red zone…not so much. I should add that right after Santos kicked his last FG she said ‘I’m glad someone knows how to play football on the team.’ In case you were wondering my wife is a converted Raiders fan so I’m used to lots of noise during Bears games.

There was a #33 sighting on the field. It always seems sacrilegious to see anyone not named Peanut wear that. Of course at one time a big deal was made about JJ wearing it before he swapped to #1. Another JJ, Jaylon Jones, is wearing it now. Good to see him back after being out with injury.

Brisker having repeatedly to stop Derrick Henry? Ouch!!! lol . I think Sweat is due to make a significant impact. Is today the day? On offense with Roschon Johnson ruled out and Swift as “questionable” I’m thinking Monangai will get a lot of carries and be productive while doing it. Id also agree that IF the TEs are figured into the passing game Loveland will flourish especially with Kmet ruled out.

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.