Grading the Bears at the bye week.
You may give the offense a B. Caleb Williams is processing more maturely with new head coach Ben Johnson. Driving the Bears to a go-head touchdown in the win in Las Vegas.
"I remember talking to Caleb before he took the field and I said 'this is what you're built for.'" Head coach Ben Johnson said
"These are the moments that he thrives in the most. That's really been the story of his life, to be honest with you. And I know he came through for us in a big way."
The Bears are struggling without a complimentary running game, and offensive line questions persist. Multiple reports indicate rookie Theo Benedet will replace Braxton Jones at left tackle this week. Benedet had the worst Pro Football Focus offensive grade for the Bears in Las Vegas, for any position.
For the season, the Defense may rate around a C-.
They were burned for 52 points in Detroit. But have created turnovers the last two games.
Special Teams earns a B+. Cairo Santos and Tory Taylor are dependable but not spectacular.
And Josh Blackwell just blocked a field goal to win the game in Vegas.
"He came through for us right when we needed it." Johnson said.
"I'm listening on the headset and (special teams) coach (Richard) Hightower, he's kind of narrating it in real time, and he's like, 'yeah, Blackwell is going to get this one for us, he's going to come through.'"
"And sure enough it came to light just like he (Hightower) thought."
Johnson and the coaches are getting A's, say a fair A-. Players rave about the new staff. And the Bears have re-gained league wide respect with their game plans and in-game moves.
With 13 games to play, they're hoping rest from the bye week helps injured Kyler Gordon, TJ Edwards, Grady Jarrett and Colston Loveland return this week.
The Bears get back together for light work today (Monday), practice kicks off tomorrow (Tuesday) for a Monday night game (10/13) @ Washington.
The Bears return to the site of last season's "Fail Mary"; An 18-15 loss in Washington on the last play of game- Jayden Daniels' 52-yard hail Mary pass into the endzone, while Bears DB Tyrique Stevenson was late to join the play after taunting Commanders fans near the sideline. Stevenson mistakenly batted the ball towards Washington receiver Noah Brown who made the winning catch. Stevenson has been apologetic and has earned a lot of his playing time back. The new coaching regime praises him.
On Sunday (10/5) Washington rallied from 10-0 down to win at the L.A. Chargers, 27-10.
Jayden Daniels 231 yards passing, 1 TD, playing with a brace on his left knee. He'd missed the previous two games.
Daniels is the first QB to rush for 1,000 yards in 20 career games.
The Commanders improve to (3-2).
In the NFC North the Bears remain at the bottom at (2-2), but right behind (3-2) Minnesota. The Vikings won in London 21-17 vs Cleveland.
The (2-1-1) Packers were off. And (4-1) Detroit smashed Cincinnati, 37-24.
The Bears are setting up around 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 point underdogs when they return to action on Monday Night Football at Washington next week (10/13).