2025-26 NFL Thread

[TSmith34, Inc.]

its all a moot point because the game was declared over 1 minute into the game.

Weird to think Muggsy overreacted. Not like him, usually.

[wadesworld]

Weird to think Muggsy overreacted. Not like him, usually.

Muggs was right.

[Jockey]

I liked the call. It got a receiver open in the end zone.  Our young QB was late on the pass,  but a good call with under 30 seconds. IMO.

Maybe, but there was nobody covering him when he cleared. Nixon left his man to get back in time. Just a great play by a guy who has been unfairly maligned.

Kmet was Evan Williams' man but he left to cover Swift in the flat. Luckily Nixon left DJ Moore to get to Kmet's area.

[CreightonWarrior]

Muggs was right.

Muggsy:

[lostpassword]

... Johnson, I go with the power run game. Don't try to catch anyone off guard, just win the game with your strength...power run.

Looking at the game log this morning that 3rd down stuff was a total fluke.  Bears gained 3+ yards on 14 of 16 second half run plays (not including a couple Caleb scrambles)... 1 was the 3rd down play and the other was a 1-yard run by the goal line on the first drive of Q3).

I was surprised at the play call and decision to veer from what was basically a guaranteed couple yards and 22ish seconds and timeouts for another 3 or 4 shots.

[WhiteTrash]

Maybe, but there was nobody covering him when he cleared. Nixon left his man to get back in time. Just a great play by a guy who has been unfairly maligned.

Kmet was Evan Williams' man but he left to cover Swift in the flat. Luckily Nixon left DJ Moore to get to Kmet's area.

It was a great play made by Nixon. I was only pointing out that the play was a good play that got a receiver open in the endzone and failed due to a poor pass. It could be fair to say Johnson failed by asking too much of Williams, but the play itself was solid.

[Jockey]

It was a great play made by Nixon. I was only pointing out that the play was a good play that got a receiver open in the endzone and failed due to a poor pass. It could be fair to say Johnson failed by asking too much of Williams, but the play itself was solid.

No, I wasn't contradicting your post. Just adding.


I am really looking forward to the game in 2 weeks. Caleb has one elite ability - throwing on the run going right. He was allowed to do it numerous times yesterday with great results. It will be a test of Hafley's chops to prevent him from doing that next time.

[JWags85]

It was a great play made by Nixon. I was only pointing out that the play was a good play that got a receiver open in the endzone and failed due to a poor pass. It could be fair to say Johnson failed by asking too much of Williams, but the play itself was solid.

I have to say, as a Bears fan, even in a loss, the fact that this is the conversation that is being had around the play and the finish is so refreshing and fun.  Last season, or earlier in the year, its tons of ammunition for "Caleb just doesn't have it" and/or how Johnson can't win a close game.  Neither of which were necessarily fair, but such is armchair quarterbacking.  Instead its reasonable discussion on poor decisions/plays from otherwise good players/coaches, which happens to everyone in this league.

I am really looking forward to the game in 2 weeks. Caleb has one elite ability - throwing on the run going right. He was allowed to do it numerous times yesterday with great results. It will be a test of Hafley's chops to prevent him from doing that next time.

I think that is a bit of a short sell.  Williams has elite arm talent, that's been known since he was a prospect, which is why his accuracy issues were frustrating, cause he has a top tier cannon.  If you want to argue the only elite thing he does with said arm talent is throw on the run to his right, I suppose that is fair.

I'd also argue he's elite when it comes to escapability/pocket movement to avoid sacks.  He's one of the best Ive seen at it in years, that wasn't simply a big body that could shake off contact (like Josh Allen or Big Ben).  Though the challenge for Hafley is basically the same.  Having the pressure actually get home and not allowing Caleb to get out of the pocket, whether to utilize that throwing on the run ability or just extended plays with his legs regardless.

[Jockey]

Accuracy is still a major issue - he may be the least accurate passer in the league. I would guess he was under 50% on drops where he didn't escape to the right.

That's why he had a 79 rating compared to Love's 120.

[MU82]

Williams is effen Houdini. There were 3-4 times when I was 100% certain he was sacked, only to see him emerge to make a play. I generally was impressed with his decision-making in those situations, especially in the second half.

[jesmu84]

Accuracy is overblown. Johnson has said his passing game is all about generating chunk plays at the expense of easy completions.

If anything, it's more a vision/diagnosing defense issue

Plus, how many balls did he intentionally throw away?

[JWags85]

Plus, how many balls did he intentionally throw away?

I counted 4 throw aways I think?  He  started 2/10 and finished 19/35.  So he was 17/25 from the mid 2nd onward, including 4 throw aways.  Thats pretty strong.  He clearly sprays the ball when he's out of rhythm/starting slow, but a lot settles down once he gets going.  Avoiding those valleys all together is obviously a key factor 

[Jockey]

I counted 4 throw aways I think?  He  started 2/10 and finished 19/35.  So he was 17/25 from the mid 2nd onward, including 4 throw aways.  Thats pretty strong.  He clearly sprays the ball when he's out of rhythm/starting slow, but a lot settles down once he gets going.  Avoiding those valleys all together is obviously a key factor 

I think with BJ as coach, Caleb may develop into a top 10 QB. But that is a ways away right now. He's useless in the pocket if his 1st read is not open and he doesn't hit his target enough.

The best thing Johnson can do is to continue having him play under center rather in shotgun like last year. Teach him how a real QB plays rather than what he was taught at USC. That takes a while with Caleb's background as a gunslinger. Even a HoF gunslinger has a hard time winning big games.

[WhiteTrash]

I think with BJ as coach, Caleb may develop into a top 10 QB. But that is a ways away right now. He's useless in the pocket if his 1st read is not open and he doesn't hit his target enough.

The best thing Johnson can do is to continue having him play under center rather in shotgun like last year. Teach him how a real QB plays rather than what he was taught at USC. That takes a while with Caleb's background as a gunslinger. Even a HoF gunslinger has a hard time winning big games.

I agree Williams has a chance to be a top 10 QB. He seems to get a little better every month (not really game to game).

Interesting you label him as a gunslinger. I always picture Favre as "the gunslinger" , but Williams seems to not force it nearly as much as I would define a gunslinger. I've even heard some fans wish he'd take a few more chances.

Anyways, not a big deal either way, but just interesting.

[jesmu84]

I think with BJ as coach, Caleb may develop into a top 10 QB. But that is a ways away right now. He's useless in the pocket if his 1st read is not open and he doesn't hit his target enough.

The best thing Johnson can do is to continue having him play under center rather in shotgun like last year. Teach him how a real QB plays rather than what he was taught at USC. That takes a while with Caleb's background as a gunslinger. Even a HoF gunslinger has a hard time winning big games.

Holy terrible analysis.

Where do the bears rank in the NFL in snaps from under center this season?