So much for that Caleb Williams-Lamar Jackson showdown we were hoping to see.
Jackson, who was rumored to be a game-time decision for Sunday’s game after practicing in “full” on Friday, will sit out the contest with his hamstring injury not fully healed. Turns out the Ravens were playing games with the injury report and, once they got caught giving Jackson scout-team reps at Friday’s walkthrough, ruled the reigning MVP out almost immediately.
It would’ve been a fun measuring stick for Williams and the Bears, who are in the midst of a four-game winning streak, to face off against Jackson and a Ravens team desperate not to fall to 1-6. As it is, Tyler Huntley will start for the Ravens instead, which is a much-needed respite for a Bears defense that ranks 25th in points and yards surrendered, has given up a league-leading 15 passing TDs already, and is missing cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon.
Even better for Chicago: the Ravens’ defense is just as banged up and has been even worse in 2025, allowing the most points in football so far and ranking dead last in EPA/play allowed. After going up against a Saints defense that delivered stiffer resistance than expected, Williams should thrive against a Baltimore squad that can’t stop a leak.
The key word being should.
While Williams (969 yards, 8 TDs, 2 INTs, 101.2 passer rating during the win streak) has played well, he hasn’t quite looked like a superstar yet. Last week’s game, in fact, was something of a dud given that the Saints’ defense ranks 19th in yards allowed and 27th in points scored against them.
But every week presents a new opportunity.
I know it’s not the same without Jackson in the lineup, and we don’t want to be fooled by a Mitch-Trubisky-Bucs-in-2018 game. But don’t we want to see Williams be able to destroy the defenses he’s supposed to?
If it comes off like I’m dumping on Williams and pointing out flaws too much, I hear that. He’s a second-year quarterback in a new scheme on a team that’s 4-2, no less. It’s plenty acceptable for teams to bring young QBs along relatively slowly and empower them when the time is right. (That’s how Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl, after all.) Also, let’s not forget Williams has already had a four-TD game this season against Dallas.
All that is true, and yet…shouldn’t we have higher standards for him? Shouldn’t we be seeing him light it like that Cowboys game every week?
The Baltimore Ravens defense is ripe to get 4-5 TDs put on their head this Sunday and for Williams to make some headlines, even if it’s against a bad team. Let’s put last week behind us and make some history, shall we?
