The Chicago Bears faced another tough game, falling to the Houston Texans 19-13 on “Sunday Night Football.” For the second consecutive week, the Bears found themselves relying heavily on their defense as their offense continued to falter. Despite moments of promise from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears’ offense struggled to gain momentum, leaving them with a 1-1 record two weeks into the season. With key issues in pass protection and rushing, the team is left grappling with concerns that could define the rest of their season.
Williams’ Performance and Offensive Woes
In Week 2, Caleb Williams showed flashes of potential, but his performance was marred by pressure and turnovers. Completing 23 of 37 passes for 174 yards, Williams struggled to find rhythm and consistency, particularly under duress. The Texans’ defense applied pressure on 35% of his dropbacks, leaving Williams with little time to execute plays. This marks a recurring theme from Week 1 when Williams threw for just 93 yards in the Bears’ victory over the Tennessee Titans.
The Bears’ offensive line issues were evident as Williams was sacked seven times and hurried on numerous other occasions. With limited time in the pocket and a non-existent deep passing game, Chicago’s offense could not capitalize on their opportunities. Williams’ two interceptions, including a risky deep throw into triple coverage, highlighted his difficulties in handling the pass rush.
“I’m a little bruised up,” Williams said after the game, acknowledging the physical toll of the constant pressure. While he avoided significant injury, his need to quickly adapt to the NFL’s defensive schemes remains critical.
Running Game Fails to Offer Support
Alongside their pass protection issues, the Bears’ rushing attack was also lackluster. Chicago managed just 71 yards on 22 attempts, with Williams contributing 44 of those yards on five scrambles. The ground game was otherwise ineffective, putting more pressure on the passing attack to deliver.
Khalil Herbert’s two-yard touchdown run before halftime was one of the few bright spots in the Bears’ offensive efforts, marking their only score in the red zone across two games. However, Chicago’s inability to establish a consistent rushing attack is contributing to their offensive struggles.
Wide Receiver DJ Moore on the Bears’ Offensive Struggles
Wide receiver DJ Moore reflected on the current state of the Bears’ offense, likening the unit’s progression to piecing together a puzzle.
“When it finally connects and we’re all in the same cylinder, it’s going to be good,” Moore said. “Right now, we’re still building… it’s going to be an up-and-down road.” Moore’s sentiment echoed the frustration shared by many, recognizing that the offense has yet to live up to its high expectations for the 2024 season.
Lack of Big Plays and Deep Passing Concerns
One of the most glaring issues for the Bears has been their inability to create explosive plays downfield. According to Next Gen Stats, Williams is 0-for-11 on pass attempts of 15 yards or more in the first two weeks of the season, with all of those throws missing their target. The absence of a deep passing threat has allowed opposing defenses to focus on limiting the short and intermediate game, further hampering the Bears’ offensive production.
The Texans capitalized on this weakness, forcing the Bears into a one-dimensional approach. With Houston cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. intercepting Williams in the third quarter, the Texans extended their lead, taking full advantage of Chicago’s stagnant offense.
This inability to connect on big plays has been a source of frustration for both players and fans, especially given the offseason investments in offensive weapons like DJ Moore. Tight end Cole Kmet expressed his frustration, noting that the team had anticipated growing pains but must now face the reality of their situation.
“It feels like I’ve had this talk for a few years now,” Kmet said. “We understood that this would be a process… Reality in the NFL is kind of setting in a little bit for us offensively.”
Defensive Resilience Keeps Bears in the Game
While the offense floundered, the Bears’ defense once again kept them in the contest. Chicago’s defensive unit held the Texans to just 19 points, including two field goals from kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, one of which came after a Williams turnover. The defense managed to limit Houston’s big-play ability and kept the game within reach until the final minutes.
The Bears’ pass rush, however, struggled to get consistent pressure on Texans quarterback Davis Mills, allowing him to operate efficiently. Although the defense didn’t force any turnovers, they prevented the Texans from fully capitalizing on Chicago’s offensive mistakes.
Coaching Perspective: Eberflus on Williams’ Development
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus acknowledged the growing pains associated with Williams’ development but remained optimistic about his potential. “There were certain points where I think he did a really good job riding up in the pocket and making some good throws,” Eberflus said. “Then also he was able to evade the rush a couple times and get on the perimeter.”
Eberflus emphasized that while Williams showed promise in handling pressure, there are key learning moments ahead. He pointed to Williams’ decision-making on the run, especially in scramble drills, as areas for improvement.
The Road Ahead: Offensive Adjustments Needed
As the Bears prepare for Week 3, their offensive struggles loom large. Williams’ inability to connect on deep passes and the offensive line’s failure to protect him have severely limited the team’s options. Additionally, the rushing attack’s lack of productivity is placing the entire burden on the young quarterback’s shoulders, a scenario that is unlikely to yield long-term success.
Keys for Offensive Improvement
- Improving Pass Protection: The offensive line must perform better to give Williams time in the pocket. With Williams under constant pressure, he is unable to make accurate throws or progress through his reads. Addressing this issue is paramount for the Bears moving forward.
- Establishing a Ground Game: The Bears need to create a more balanced offensive approach by revitalizing their running game. Getting Khalil Herbert and the rest of the backfield involved will help ease the pressure on Williams and open up more passing opportunities.
- Developing a Downfield Threat: Without a consistent deep passing game, opposing defenses will continue to compress the field, making it difficult for the Bears to move the ball. Improving their connection on deep throws is essential to stretching the defense and creating more scoring opportunities.
- Minimizing Turnovers: Williams’ interceptions played a critical role in the Bears’ loss to the Texans. As the young quarterback continues to develop, limiting these types of mistakes will be crucial in keeping games within reach.
Conclusion
The Chicago Bears are at a critical juncture early in the 2024 season. With their defense performing admirably but the offense struggling to find its identity, the team must make key adjustments to turn things around. Williams, though talented, faces the significant challenge of leading an offense that has yet to live up to expectations. As the Bears look to rebound from their loss to the Texans, the focus will undoubtedly be on addressing their offensive line struggles, developing a more effective rushing attack, and finding a way to unlock their downfield passing game.
The potential is there for the Bears to bounce back, but time will tell if the necessary changes can be made before the season slips away.
