Week 8 Official Game Thread - CHI @ BAL, Oct 26th, 12PM CDT, CBS, CHI +6.5

[Alaskan Grizzly]

1 hour ago, adam said:

The Lamar news is huge.  Huntley had 68 yards passing in his last start. The Bears have to win this. 

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 . 

[BearFan PHX]

1 hour ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

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 . 

watching the film, Caleb wasnt as bad as I thought after watching the game.

The Saints called zone blitzes a few times and Caleb didnt throw the manufactured pick, but he ran around after that, and people were covered.

Also, Benedet got blown up on several pass protections and that accounted for the other plays where Caleb was running.

In terms of the zone blitzes, thats on Caleb AND Johnson, because they got beat "rock paper scissors" style, because the hot read was taken by the dropping linemen.

They all need to learn and adjust to these tactics and situations. This wasnt as easy as "Caleb had trouble with the 27th ranked defense" it was more a matter of how the play calls lined up, and what to do when its a zone blitz and your hot read is taken. They will adjust Im sure.

[AZ54]

Benedet does not get beat early and while he got walked backwards a few times there are some technique issues with his feet that, if he corrects it, he’ll be good.  I suspect that will require a full offseason to fix.  Plus he’s sticky to the pass rusher.  

[BearFan PHX]

12 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

Benedet does not get beat early and while he got walked backwards a few times there are some technique issues with his feet that, if he corrects it, he’ll be good.  I suspect that will require a full offseason to fix.  Plus he’s sticky to the pass rusher.  

Yeah, Im not down on him - hes young and just learning. if he makes mistakes, its not the same as if its a vet who has been making the same mistakes for years.

But, Benedet had a couple penalties and gave up pressures that were part of the reason Caleb was holding the ball and running around last week. So Im just calling balls and strikes - but Im impressed with him, and expect him to continue to grow, so not calling for him to be benched or anything like that at all.

[Stinger226]

5 hours ago, AZ54 said:

Benedet does not get beat early and while he got walked backwards a few times there are some technique issues with his feet that, if he corrects it, he’ll be good.  I suspect that will require a full offseason to fix.  Plus he’s sticky to the pass rusher.  

Benedet handles the bull rush better than Jones did what I expect is  because he is stronger. He got walked back several times but if Caleb got rid of the ball quicker it never matters. He went from a UDFA to starter so I think he is growing into the position as he gains more experience. There was only one sack in that game so the general pressure is getting better. Someone has to play LT and of our choices they think Theo has the most potential. 

OLs always look better once their QBs make quicker decisions, throw to their dump down targets, and show more accuracy in the short throwing game. Our growth in the passing game is focused on Caleb getting better. Does anyone else notice Caleb gets a lot of passes knocked down at the line? Is that a vision problem, or timing problem? That is the only think about his growth that bothers me. The rest are all fixable. 

[Stinger226]

This game is really hard to call. Baltimore has more urgency and is at home. No Lamar is huge but the effort and physically will be there. So can we out physical the Ravens? If we run the ball and can limit Henry we will win the game. As we have seen most games this year seem to go down to the wire and I think this will to. 28-23 Bears. 

[adam]

15 hours ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

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 . 

If you watch the tape, it is not as bad as it was made out to be on the broadcast. There was a lot of immediate pressure, and the Saints actually had one thing working, pressure+coverage. They were daring the Bears to run the ball. 

I will be more concerned if it is a trend and doesn't improve in the next few weeks. 

[Alaskan Grizzly]

3 hours ago, adam said:

I will be more concerned if it is a trend and doesn't improve in the next few weeks. 

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.  

[Stinger226]

So who gets game balls this week? I think Loveland has a breakout game and Brisker for his contributions to stopping the run. Caleb for going over 300 yds and 3 TDs, no TOs.

[Stinger226]

I just noticed their defense only have 8 sacks on the year and we have 12. They only have 3 TOs and we have 16. I dont think this game will be as close as everyone expects. Ravens defense is awful. 

[Alaskan Grizzly]

4 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

Ravens defense is awful

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

[Alaskan Grizzly]

17 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

So who gets game balls this week? I think Loveland has a breakout game and Brisker for his contributions to stopping the run. Caleb for going over 300 yds and 3 TDs, no TOs.

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. 

[BearFan PHX]

4 hours ago, adam said:

If you watch the tape, it is not as bad as it was made out to be on the broadcast. There was a lot of immediate pressure, and the Saints actually had one thing working, pressure+coverage. They were daring the Bears to run the ball. 

I will be more concerned if it is a trend and doesn't improve in the next few weeks. 

yes
 

34 minutes ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

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.  

yes!

[adam]

Decent start by the offense. Caleb sacked (hit below the knee with no call) to force a FG. I did not like the run to Monangain before that. It seemed like they ran into the teeth of the defense with fewer blockers than defenders.

[adam]

A quick 3 and out for Ravens. Bears gets the ball back really quick.

[Alaskan Grizzly]

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.  

[Bears4Ever_34]

This is exactly how you lose a game to an inferior opponent. Bears offense still can't finish drives off with touchdowns. They completely dominated that quarter and are only up 6-0.

[Stinger226]

Its nice we're moving the ball, but yet again FGs. We need to change that to be a true playoff contender. I seen them show a stat that Caleb holds the ball the longest in the NFL. I wish that improve. Also, accuracy is off, again. 

[Alaskan Grizzly]

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. 

[adam]

Way too easy on that drive against the Bears defense. They allowed the conversion on 2nd and 22 to a backup QB, then no resistance against the run, the old Bears defense is back. 

[Pixote]

They are beginning to allow Henry to run over us. They had best make a correction quick.

[adam]

Huge KR by Duvernay, 50-yarder. Flipped the field on one kick.

[Pixote]

And another wasted opportunity.

[Bears4Ever_34]

Wheels are coming off now. Caleb looks like shit again. Defense giving up 15 yard cushions on 2nd and 23. Their practice squad QB easily converts 3rd downs and redzone possessions, Caleb doesn't.

[adam]

The play calling is very sus today unfortunately.