Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams showed significant improvement for the win. He would lead the team to a come-from-behind 24-20 victory over the New York Giants. This marked his second game this season without a sack. It’s a remarkable feat, all the more impressive given the adversity he dealt with during his first year in the NFL. The Bears’ offensive line did him solid favors with some strong protection, executing plays at their peak potential while keeping pressure off him.
Williams’ 12.8% pressure-to-sack ratio is third-lowest in the NFL this year. This statistic highlights his ability to evade defenders and make quick decisions under pressure, a skill that has been pivotal in the Bears’ offensive strategy.
Against the Giants, Williams was able to make some significant NFL throws that showed his development in processing and his pocket awareness. Then, on a key fourth down, he connected with wide receiver DJ Moore for a touchdown. He even eluded a would be sack—Giants DL Dexter Lawrence—to complete the pass. This play was typical of his knack for extending plays while maintaining his cool.
Williams displayed his nimble feet as he danced around yet another edge rusher. He followed that up with a huge completion to Rome Odunze up the seam. As a passer, these are the moments that showcase how far he’s come. They highlight the noticeable difference in play with the Bears’ O-line.
The Bears have just as quickly become infamous for their lack of offensive line protection for their young quarterback. They’re the NFL’s only team so far this year that hasn’t allowed a caught-enough-sleeping-unblocked sack. This year-over-year improvement couldn’t be more different from last season. Williams was the league’s most sacked quarterback with an astronomical 68 sacks, the third in NFL history. All that being said, Williams did give up a career-high nine sacks in a demoralizing loss to the New England Patriots in Week 10 last year. This season, he’s done an excellent job of taking far fewer sacks.
Williams has only been responsible for 14 total sacks allowed. That’s a huge improvement from his rookie season, in which he suffered 38 sacks over the same period. His sack rate, which was almost 10% of dropbacks last season, has dropped to a historical low of just 4.2% this year.
The offensive line’s overachieving play has been the biggest reason for this drastic surprise. The Bears have reduced their pressure rate allowed from 38.1% last season, which placed them 29th in the league, to an impressive 32.1%, ranking them 11th this season. Center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson have each allowed only one sack over nine starts, while left guard Joe Thuney has not allowed any.
Of course, Williams credited his offensive line for his breakout season.
“Part of it is the guys I’ve got up front. They’ve been awesome for me and for us. Kudos to them and love those guys up front.” – Caleb Williams
He pointed to Ben Johnson’s approach of encouraging the quarterback to make fast decisions when asked about how he’s able to limit the sacks.
“The other half of it is I think coach’s emphasis on me getting the ball out, and when it’s time to go make a play, make the plays, and when it’s time to throw it away, throw it away.” – Caleb Williams
Johnson hit on Williams’ talent for pre-snap reads and avoiding the rush, stating,
“There’s no mistaking what Caleb can do,” – Ben Johnson
Johnson was not. Opportunities to be even better was the theme for continued progress in their game.
“He just, he feels it, and the way he evades is, I think, it’s second to none.” – Ben Johnson
The Bears are a team on the move. Either way, they are tightening up on defense, and their offensive game is more dynamic. The team’s commitment to enhancing their offensive line has paid off significantly, allowing Caleb Williams to showcase his talents without the burden of constant pressure.
“There’s a few chances in there, too, that we stay in there just a tick longer and we deliver that football even when the house is burning down,” – Ben Johnson
With these developments, the Bears appear to be on an upward trajectory as they continue to refine their offensive strategy and improve their performance on both sides of the ball. The team’s commitment to enhancing their offensive line has paid off significantly, allowing Caleb Williams to showcase his talents without the burden of constant pressure.
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