It’s still early in the NFL season, but it still felt like Week 3 carried a bit more weight than the average game for the Bears. With an 0-2 record and the former Head Coach making a return to Chicago,
this team was in desperate need of a bounce back performance to potentially salvage their season. After the disappointment in Detroit and an apparent challenge from Ben Johnson, the team more than answered the call as they put together the most encouraging performance of the year. So… thank you, Matt Eberflus?
Quarterback
Caleb Williams
Comp: 2022 Jared Goff
Benchmark Statistics:
Caleb is the standout from the week. With nearly 300 yards passing and 4 touchdowns, Williams looked comfortable standing in the pocket and relying on his arm to make plays throughout the game. His trust in both his playmakers and the offensive line paid off handsomely as the quarterback was not only able to put up those passing numbers, but also had his first ever game without taking a sack. This positions him in a really interesting place against Goff, with the caveat that this was an incredibly soft defense that Dallas fielded opposite the Bears.
Running Backs
D’Andre Swift
Comp: 2022 D’Andre Swift
Benchmark Statistics:
One thing to note from this game that we’ll continue to eye moving forward is the Bears’ futility in the run game. In a game filled with explosive plays, the running game coninued to struggle and D’Andre Swift totaled his fewest rushing yards yet. Through 3 games, the Detroit version of Swift is looking like the much more efficient player, and that is concerning.
Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai, etc.
Comp: 2024 David Montgomery
Benchmark Statistics:
Unfortunately, the running back futility doesn’t end with Swift. This game saw DJ Moore once again take snaps in the backfield and he, along with Kyle Monangai, added little to complement the offense’s explosive passing attack.
Tight Ends
Cole Kmet
Comp: 2021 T.J. Hockenson
Benchmark Statistics:
Faring (slightly) better than the running backs so far this season have been the tight ends. Cole Kmet saw only 1 target in this game, despite Colston Loveland exiting with an injury, but he did make it count by catching that target for a touchdown. Still, you’d expect Kmet to get involved more in some of these games.
Colston Loveland
Comp: 2023 Sam LaPorta
Benchmark Statistics:
As mentioned, Loveland left the game early with what appears to be a mild injury, but he did record a reception prior to his exit. Hopefully that injury doesn’t hold him back, as many of us would like to see him and Caleb Williams build their chemistry sooner rather than later.
Wide Receivers
DJ Moore
Comp: 2024 Amon-Ra St. Brown
Benchmark Statistics:
Shifting focus to the Wide Receivers, things are generally much more positive. Moore was able to add a tally to the TD column in this game against Eberflus, and anyone who observed their interactions last season would probably think that he especially enjoyed that one.
Rome Odunze
Comp: 2024 Jameson Williams
Benchmark Statistics:
The Rome Odunze breakout has continued with another scoring occasion. He’s seperating himself as Caleb’s go-to guy, which is something that Bears’ fans and front office staff alike had fantasized about since Odunze first fell to Chicago in the draft last year. It’ll continue to interesting to watch this connection and Odunze’s growth throughout the rest of the season.
Olamide Zaccheaus
Comp: 2023 Josh Reynolds
Benchmark Statistics:
OZ was the odd man out in this game, with the other top 3 receivers all finding the endzone, but he continues to get targets in key moments as a dependable option for Caleb to look to.
Luther Burden III
Comp: 2023 Jameson Williams
Benchmark Statistics:
FINALLY. It may have come primarily on 2 big plays (with one being a flea flicker) but Luther Burden III finally has his moment. This was an excellent showcase game for the rookie who showed off his ability and the potential he has to impact the game for this Bears team moving forward.
