What did a new OC mean for Bears’ offense?
One thing that can be easily ascertained from watching all-22 game film is the Packers have had more talent than the Bears for the past decade or so.
As tough as Sunday's 20-19 loss was, the Bears could certainly use another solid draft before they're ready to contend in the NFC North. So look on the bright side, a higher 2025 first-rounder is a good thing.
For this game, all eyes were on replacement offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. You can't really say he unlocked the offense, since the Bears scored just 19 points. Sure, it should have been 24, but that's the way it goes.
What was different about the Bears offense? Quite a bit, actually.
MORE MOTION: This was often listed as a complaint with Shane Waldron's offense. Don't have the exact numbers of how they compare, but the Bears used a ton of motion Sunday. Perhaps that made Caleb Williams' job easier by helping identify zone coverages.
There was smart use of motion early in the game. They sent D.J. Moore across the formation for a wide-receiver screen that gained 16 yards. On their second drive, the Bears displayed the sort of clever play design this offense has lacked for years.
The play started with Moore on the left and a bunch formation to the right. Keenan Allen went in motion, then both he and Moore ran out patterns to occupy that side of the defense. Meanwhile, Rome Odunze cut behind Cole Kmet, using him as a screen to gain a few steps, and caught a crossing pattern for 13. Nice work.
When Williams was sacked on the first two snaps of the final drive, things looked much more Waldron-esque. Two receivers on each side, basic routes. Tough to get guys open that way.
FIRST DOWN MIX-UP: The Bears had success throwing on first down and it's easy to explain why. No blitzes, plus basic zone defense by the Packers.
On the next snap after the Odunze completion mentioned above, Williams used soft play action, then scrambled for 5 yards. But he had Moore wide-open for at least a 20-yard gain. The play was there, but this one ended up being a big miss for Williams.
Another first-down pass in the third quarter went to Kmet for 25 yards. This one was a perfect throw into a tight window by Williams, and he also could have gone short to Allen for a nice gain.
PLAY CALLS TO SKILL SETS: The Bears had a decent rushing day, totaling 179 yards. Brown called some straight QB runs, and maybe that unlocked something in Williams, because he had some great scrambles. At the end of the day, Williams ran for 70 yards without taking any big hits (on run plays).
Another smart move was more outside runs. Left tackle Braxton Jones isn't the best pass blocker in the NFL, but he's really good on the move. D'Andre Swift got most of his rushing yards going wide to Jones' side, and the Jones block on Swift's 39-yard TD run had Tom Brady gushing in the TV booth. A healthier offensive line obviously helped Sunday.
POINTS TO VICTORY: Brown had a sharp play ready for the Bears' 2-point conversion late in the third quarter, sending Kmet past interference by two wide receivers. If Williams had thrown the ball to the front corner of the end zone, it's an easy conversion, and those 2 points would have helped a ton. Instead, Williams threw to the back corner and Kmet had no chance. Live and learn, but the play was there.
Best play
Plenty of candidates this week, but let's go with the fourth-and-2 conversion at the Green Bay 23-yard-line early in the third quarter. Williams dropped back and had Allen open over the middle. The problem was, right tackle Darnell Wright was losing his battle with Brenton Cox on the edge, and the Packers' spy, Quay Walker, moved forward ready to strike.
Williams started to go to Allen, but Walker forced him to change plans. So Williams quickly put a move on the linebacker and dumped a pass to Roschon Johnson, who leaked out of the backfield late and picked up 8 yards. Crossing patterns and late leaks are two reliable strategies, so kudos to Brown for the play design.
Worst play
On the crazy 60-yard pass play to Christian Watson that set up the Packers’ go-ahead touchdown, the Bears blitzed, sending both T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. Gervon Dexter was the one rusher to get home and hit Packers QB Jordan Love for one of the only times all day. But Love got the pass off, Jaylon Johnson stumbled as Watson made his cut and that's how Green Bay got a diving catch and 60-yard play.
On the previous drive, the Packers had no business completing a 48-yard pass to Watson into double coverage, with Love on the run, but that's what separates the good from the great in the NFL sometimes.