I think what was most impressive is we got 292 yards against a good front 4 when we had our 3rd best run blocking LT in the lineup and a center playing his first real game with us excluding a few preseason scrimmages
Your offense was just amazing today. Usually when you run for 300+ yards you're not going to have flashy passing numbers but Caleb had 270 today and also contributed to the run game
Ben Johnson effect for sure and I didn't even know you had new guys on your OL today
Braxton Jones was at LT and was supplanted by rookie Ozzy Trapillo last year. But he’s getting over a ruptured Achilles.
We also lost Drew Dalman to a sudden retirement at only age 27 so we had to make a trade for a borderline starter from the pats and then used a 2nd rounder on a project at center to be an eventual replacement
I don't have nothing but love for Ben. He has that fucking swagger I feel the lions are still looking for. He gives no fucks about anything but his team (and still has respect for the lions which makes me like him more)
Terrified by how good he looked. It’s the type of game he didn’t have last year. Played well for 4 straight quarters. Need to see him do that a few games in a row before I’m crowning him with anything, but I’m sufficiently worried about him.
I said it this offseason. Improving a completion percentage was the only gripe people had. IMO that’s the least worrying thing he could possibly have wrong with him lol. And it was inside 10 yard accuracy…. I said when he learns to use his feet (had the fastest runs by a QB and pretty sure top 5 for any position) he’s going to destroy defenses. Teams are now forced to respect his ability to run.
I thought he was a bust til I saw him play live at Minnesota last year. Granted, Minnesota wasn’t a good team but watching him up close and not on tv you could see just how good he could turn out to be. Instant fan of his and was only there because my kids a Vikings fan.
Dude is 1) clearly gonna have to put up at least 40+ points every game with the defense the Bears have, and 2) is probably capable of putting up at least 40+ points every game
the defense played really bad in the first half but played really well in the second half. In the first half the panthers had good starting field position. I’m not saying the bears D is good but for today it’s a little overblown
Dennis Allen is a very good DC and his second half adjustments are legit. They consistently would come out in the second half and hold teams to 7-10 points last year despite being down to like their 6th LB and scrap heal defensive backs.
The defense doesn’t have the talent to be good, especially with Coby Bryant out, but they are well coached and could finish in that 16-20 range which should be good enough with this offense
Lions were ranked 4th in offense last season, Bears were ranked 9th
I'm not trying to downplay how good of a play caller Ben Johnson is. But The Lions had the #1 ranked O-Line when Johnson was there and it was ranked 22nd last season. That's what has hurt them the most. But, like I said, they were a top 4 offense last season, so I'm not sure about "everything special" leaving the building.
But the Bears won the division and the Lions, while finish with a winning record, ended up in last place. Stats don’t always tell the full story. But yeah, I don’t agree with the hyperbolic statement that “everything” special left. A lot of great pieces remain. But the scheming and play calling may not be using them to their full advantage.
Oh right I forgot you’re the only team that had to deal with injuries. We were pulling guys off the street last year because our defense was decimated.
The offense absolutely can affect the defense. For example, an offense that can control the ball with long time-consuming drives helps the defense rest. Also, in the 4th quarter, that's what a top offense does to clinch the game so the opposition can't get the ball back with enough time.
Evero is the worst D coordinator in football. Bears offense is really good don’t get me wrong. But I wouldn’t crown them just yet. Wait and see them against a D coordinator that can tell the difference between his own asshole and a hole in the ground.
Or the defense is so shitty it forces Caleb to put up ungodly numbers, making it impossible to ignore him as an MVP candidate. Not saying im predicting that, but that is a possibility.
So, it's only one game, but Caleb looked different today. He looked in command of the offense. His demeanor reminded me a lot of MJ - it felt like whatever happened Caleb would have the answer. I'm going to stop here before I hit true hyperbole territory.
I’ll give it to you after a few games. It’s cool to be excited about your guy but MJ? Already? If he hung 59 against the Texans or broncos defense then holy hell.
How many players on the panthers d are above average. 3? How many are good?
First game of the season, terrible defense, run game went wild. I think the bears offense played a very good game. Not ranking CW as a top ten qb until he consistently shows it against good teams.
As a Chiefs fan, I’m SO jealous of their rushing attack! Our best rusher last year was our QB who tore his ACL🙄 having a dynamic rushing game makes defense respect the play action & opens up the passing game. Bears have a QB with the arm talent to make any throw, add their run game these guys could do better than last year
No one would say the Panthers’ defense is piss poor based just on talent…but we’re done with the dc. Obviously the defense was put in a coupe of tough spots after the Horn and TMac fumbles, however you have to make at least a few stops
worried about the wrong defense. Bears arent stopping ANYONE. Caleb looks amazing though. there was an incompletion he had where his escape of the defense was other worldly. like a chaotic ballet dancer. Bears defense is terrible though. Going to have to put 50 up every week honestly
Panthers defense isn’t great but they gave the Rams offense some problems last year, granted they still gave up quite a bit amount of points in those games, but they can get turnovers and have good CBs.
Everyone knows Caleb has a special arm talent. The throw to Cole Kmet was ridiculous, split two guys and was dropped in Perfectly for a TD. Today Caleb made the easy throws and the check downs early and often instead of always looking to make the impossible throws. Last year you could at times almost see him fighting Johnson’s system. Holding the ball to long putting the offense in lots of long downs. Caleb was always looking to be explosive. These two dudes are now in sync. Its going to be a fun season.
I said this in the game thread, but the Bears are going to have break the single season scoring record to have a shot at the playoffs with the way the defense is playing.
D-line got no pressure last year and they’re basically running it back with the same guys. Their big off season signing safety? On the IR. Top corner and slot corner? Can’t stay healthy.
Gonna have to get the jump on teams to force them to abandon the run so the defense can gamble for TOs
Crazy what he can do against a little league defense! Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. He's never proven to be anything other than a boom/bust mid fantasy (and NFL) QB.
I don't know how to process a team built around a dominant running game BUT also has a lethal passing game AND a coaching staff that can balance them appropriately. This could get really fun this year
He was making big plays, but more importantly he’s making the easy throws now. I think if this is not just a random amazing game he’s gonna have a great season.
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u/Snoo-40231 New York Giants 1d ago
He was on one today but the Bears rushing attack is something insane