The Chicago Bears lost their fourth straight game Sunday, dropping them to 4-6, but there were some positives in the defeat.
For one, their offense finally showed signs of life. Interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown cooked up a game plan that produced a more balanced approach and helped rookie quarterback Caleb Williams settle into a rhythm, leading two touchdown drives of 11-plus plays. Chicago dominated time of possession by more than 12 minutes and was in position to win late when a blocked field goal ruined their dreams of victory, falling to the Packers, 20-19.
The loss stung, no doubt, but Williams had reason to feel encouraged.
“It started with (Brown) stringing things together and doing a good job with that and getting everybody into a rhythm and not necessarily thinking of what’s next?” Williams said Wednesday, via the Associated Press. “Or anything like that. We kind of had an idea of what’s next, and from there you go out there, you play, and you play efficient football, it gives you the best chance to win.”
Chicago was indeed efficient, at least when compared to its previous outing, averaging 5.8 yards per play after gaining just 2.4 yards per play in a 19-3 loss to New England that prompted the firing of OC Shane Waldron. The Bears also converted nine of 16 third downs, a drastically better rate than the 1-of-14 mark they posted in the Week 10 loss.
Still, the end result was the same, leaving the Bears with the same goal.
Brown obviously attracted the most attention for their quick improvement, but Williams explained it in simpler terms: The Bears were more organized under Brown, and the results spoke for themselves.
“We didn’t reinvent the wheel for those three or four (practice) days that Thomas became the offensive coordinator and play caller,” Williams said. “I think the decisiveness, I think all of that came from, one, our meetings, and how we’re going to do things. I think it came from being able to get play calls in faster and being able to get up there and not feel like you’re rushed or not feel like you need to hurry up and get the ball snapped and things like that.
“I think all of these small things, details of routes, details of the blocking, details of the path of running backs and how we’re going to do things, I think that led into all of what happened last week.”
A 4-6 season is not yet lost, even if the playoffs seem like an increasingly distant goal. More importantly, Williams enjoyed the benefit of playing in a productive offense, getting him back on track in his long-term development.
We'll see if the Bears can build upon their small victories achieved in the Week 11 loss. Williams certainly seems to believe it's possible, starting with their Week 12 date with the Minnesota Vikings (8-2).
“I think communication, I think the attitude and I think us just going out there and being on the details, for myself and for the whole team,” Williams said. “I think those three things would be huge for us for this run that we’re going to go on.”