LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — The Bears (1-1) are set to travel down I-65 for a meeting with the Colts (0-2) on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Here are three storylines to follow in the matchup.
Caleb on the offensive?
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams' first two games leading the Bears haven't gone as hoped.
Williams has thrown for just 267 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in two games. That stat line is alarming, but it's a reflection of more than just Williams.
The Bears' porous offensive line hasn't given Williams a chance to have success. The running game has been nonexistent. Veteran receiver Keenan Allen's lingering heel injury hasn’t helped matters, nor has the team's inability to incorporate top tight end Cole Kmet into the offense.
To his credit, the 22-year-old Williams hasn’t pointed any fingers. He’s to blame as well, such as for pre-snap cadence issues, poor footwork and rushed progressions.
Sunday brings a new opportunity for Williams and the Bears. What matters most for Williams is leading a clean operation.
Williams doesn’t need to be the reason why his team wins. He just needs to lead the offense effectively. Progress will be paramount for Williams and the Bears offense after two disappointing showings to start the season.
Run the darn ball
What exactly is the Bears’ identity on offense? That's the question that has been asked many times this week, but it hasn’t produced a clean answer just yet.
The Bears’ wanted to rely on newly signed running back D'Andre Swift, but he has carries 24 times for just 48 yards through two games.
While the Bears' offensive line has scuffled, Swift also deserves blame. In the Bears' 19-13 loss to the Texans on Sunday, Swift posted a minus-44 rushing-yards-over-expected (RYOE) mark, which was the lowest of any player in Week 2, according to Next Gen Stats. Just 7.7% of Swift’s runs went for longer than expected.
The Bears rushed for a franchise-record 3,012 yards in 2022, a mark that led the NFL. They then ranked second in the league with 2,399 rushing yards in 2023. Williams is Chicago’s leading rusher through two games, carrying 10 times for 59 yards – including a 24-yard scramble late in the game Sunday that represents the Bears' longest rush of the season.
The Bears will now face a Colts defense that ranks last in the NFL in defending the run. The Texans ran for 213 yards in a win against the Colts in the season opener, then Green Bay gashed Indianapolis for 261 yards this past Sunday. Packers running back Josh Jacobs carried 32 times for 151 yards.
If the Bears don’t get their running game moving Sunday, there will be cause for major concern.
Containing Richardson
Colts second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson is an exciting but raw talent who’s still figuring it out following a rookie season that was cut short.
Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last October and played in just four games in 2023. Through two games this season, he hasn’t displayed much improvement.
The 22-year-old Richardson has completed 49.1% of his passes for 416 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions in the Colts' 0-2 start.
Richardson has all the tools to be successful but hasn’t put it together just yet. Chicago will have the opportunity to frustrate him Sunday, and with an offense that's struggling, the Bears would be wise to lean on the strength of their defense.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.