Another week, another Chicago Bears comeback victory.
It would sure be nice for this team to win in blowout fashion at some point in time. My stress levels would appreciate it.
That being said, what a thrilling victory on Sunday over the New York Giants. A cold, windy, and snowy day led to not much going right for the team through three quarters. The defense is still a major issue, and some timely drops by Chicago’s pass catchers really hurt the offense through three quarters.
But then, just like we’ve
seen multiple times this year, #18 put the team on his back and carried them to victory.
Let’s get to the game balls!
Offense Game Ball: QB Caleb Williams
This was an easy choice. Williams was clearly the most important (and best) player on the Bears’ offense on Sunday, and also the best quarterback on the field. Period.
That’s right. I’m going to throw some shade at the broadcast team for their comment that Jaxson Dart had “outplayed” Williams in the first half. I disagree. The Giants’ receivers were making plays to help their young QB, and frankly, the Bears’ young wideouts just were not. Despite Williams (somehow) evading the Giants’ talented defensive front and putting his playmakers in situations to succeed, time and time again.
Williams had two touchdowns dropped on Sunday, as well as eight total passes dropped (I believe the official scoresheet will say six, but in my eyes there were two others). One of the would-be touchdown throws was to DJ Moore and admittedly a tough catch, but it’s also one that top tier WRs make in this league all the time. The other…
While on the move, Williams rifled a near-perfect pass down the right sideline in the first quarter to Olamide Zaccheaus in the corner of the end zone. It should have been a TD but was dropped. Zaccheaus, who has mostly been a reliable target this year, has to come up with that ball.
But even with things continually falling apart around him, Williams never wavered. It was just as clear watching on TV as I’m sure it was in the huddle and on the sideline. He appeared calm and collected throughout the chaos, and in the fourth quarter showed that he has that clutch factor yet again.
The Bears made it a point to target Colston Loveland and Luther Burden more down the stretch, and it paid off. And then, with the game on the line, #18 put the game on his own shoulders and ran the ball in himself. Chef’s kiss.
Williams finished the day 20/36 for 220 yards passing and one touchdown pass. Without the egregious drops, you’d be looking at a 70+% completion rate and well over 300 yards passing and quite possibly three touchdown passes. He also had 63 yards rushing on eight attempts, with the game-winning rushing touchdown.
Shoutout to Cole Kmet with a key block on the go-ahead touchdown by Williams. And another shoutout to Darnell Wright, who continues to prove he’s becoming one of the best right tackles in the league.
Defense Game Ball: CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson
What a terrific addition to the defense Gardner-Johnson has been. Especially given how badly the Bears needed someone who could contribute in the secondary.
Johnson shined in big moments on Sunday, and he led the defense with 9 total tackles (seven solo), two sacks, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and two QB hits. Gardner-Johnson now has three sacks on the season, which is number one in the league among defensive backs.
His second sack of the game came at a key moment. The Giants were leading 20-17 and had the ball 3rd and 7 with just over three minutes left in the game. The Bears defense needed to come up with a stop to get the ball back and give their offense a chance to win. Enter C.J….
Earlier in the game, Gardner-Johnson was involved in what may have been the most important play of the entire game. Late in the third quarter, New York was driving deep in Bears’ territory up 17-7 and on the verge of a commanding 24-7 lead. Gardner-Johnson forced Jaxson Dart to fumble, resulting in a Bears takeover on downs and a huge swing in momentum.
If the Bears can get healthy over the next few weeks and get both T.J. Edwards and Kyler Gordon back, one would hope that the defense should start to improve as a whole.
Outside of Gardner-Johnson’s addition to the lineup, the rest of the Cornerback room continues to be a major concern. Coverage has been a massive problem that’s going to be magnified by some of the betters teams the Bears will be playing in the weeks ahead. Nahshon Wright is playing out of necessity and just can’t hang with starting NFL wide receivers. Tyrique Stevenson seems to be going through some regression. Maybe the Bears can convince Asante Samuel Jr. to sign with them (they’ve got a lot of competition). And if by some stroke of luck Jaylon Johnson is able to make a late season return, things could change.
The Bears still need more from that front four, though. A lot more. A hefty sum of money has been invested in the defensive line, and it will be hard for the defense overall to succeed like you’d want without that position group stepping up their game immensely.
Special Teams Game Ball: Pass
I didn’t see anything on special teams to warrant a game ball this week. Santos had one field goal, a chip shot from 22 yards. Taylor was solid (three punts, two for touchbacks and one inside the 20) but nothing spectacular like last week when he boomed his all-time longest punt. Coverage on kicks was still an issue at times, with the Giants often having excellent starting field position. It wasn’t as bad as last week against the Bengals, but it was still not good enough.
Bryan Orenchuk and myself will have plenty to say this week on a new episode of Bears Over Beers. We’ll be live on Wednesday night on the 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel, or available on demand via your favorite podcasting platform after. Our 2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel is available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Audacy, and other popular podcast platforms.
Who would have received your game balls? Let us know in the comments section below.
