Schrock’s Report Card: Grading Caleb Williams, Bears in loss vs. Colts originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
INDIANAPOLIS — The Bears entered the week with a golden opportunity in front of them.
They split their first two games despite an offense still trying to find its identity with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. The Bears had been unable to run the ball in their first two games and struggled to protect Williams behind a shaky offensive line.
But the NFL schedule-makers smiled on them, presenting them with a runway to improve against the league’s three-worst run defenses in Weeks 3-5.
That road started Sunday with a bout against an 0-2 Colts team with a putrid run defense and a raw young quarterback in Anthony Richardson, who has a penchant for turning the ball over.
On paper, Sunday’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium was a perfect opportunity for the Bears to get right. They needed to treat the Colts’ defense like a speed bag in the run game, get Williams into rhythm early, avoid turnovers, limit explosives, and turn Richardson over.
Instead, the Bears walked into Indianapolis and averaged 4.7 yards per play, 2.3 yards per rush, and turned it over three times in a deflating 21-16 loss that saw them fall to 1-2.
Here’s a report card for a team that is already on its backfoot three games into the season:
Passing offense
The stat sheet looks pretty for Williams.
The No. 1 overall pick went 33-for-52 for 363 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the loss.
But those numbers feel a little bit like lipstick on a pig. The Bears trailed 21-9 midway through the fourth quarter and were only able to really find a rhythm in the passing game when the Colts were playing back and trying to limit the explosive plays behind them.
Williams had several nice moments. The 47-yard dot to Rome Odunze down the sideline was an all-world toss. He had a later completion to DeAndre Carter on which he navigated pressure, climbed the pocket, and threw with anticipation across the middle….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/schrocks-report-card-grading-caleb-004042382.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2024-09-23 00:40:42
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