The Green Bay Packers edged out a 20-19 victory over the Chicago Bears on the road. It was a back-and-forth game that ended with the Packers blocking Chicago’s game-winning field goal attempt as time expired.
The Bears ranked third-worst in total offense, with 277 yards per game. So, Chicago needed to improve with Caleb Williams under center, and his mobility under a new scheme pushed Jeff Hafley’s defense to the limit.
Chicago only scored 19 points. Still, they moved the ball well against the Packers, gaining 391 total yards, committing no turnovers, and tossing in some big plays in crucial situations. How could they do that after scoring only 27 combined points in their last three games?
The primary answer to this question is Thomas Brown.
Brown served as the passing-game coordinator for the first nine games of the season under the then-offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron.
The Bears fired Waldron earlier last week after Chicago’s 19-3 loss against the 2-7 New England Patriots. Brown was promoted to offensive coordinator shortly after, giving him the power to call the plays for Chicago.
On Sunday, Brown did a good job of calling plays and simplifying Caleb Williams’ game plan.
Green Bay’s defense has meaningfully improved since Joe Barry departed. Meanwhile, Chicago’s offense has struggled this season. Therefore, it seemed like Hafley’s defense should have one of their best performances in Chicago.
Chicago’s offensive line is one of the worst in the league, having allowed the second-most sacks in the NFL with 41, so Brown had Williams make quick throws to speedy receivers who could move upfield instead of having him stay in the pocket for long.
When Williams had time, he maneuvered outside the pocket and scrambled for positive yards. Williams’ mobility probably hurt Green Bay the most on Sunday. We had not seen him escape the pocket much before that game. He broke a few sacks and was able to rush for 70 yards on only nine carries.
Williams was the difference maker on the field for Chicago. One crucial play that stands out was near the end of the third quarter when the Bears faced a fourth-and-one situation at Green Bay’s 43-yard line. Williams faked the handoff on the option and kept it, cutting back inside and juking Quay Walker to pick up the first down.
Not only does Williams have great scrambling ability, but he also showed a little bit of leadership in taking control of the offense when the Bears faced a fourth down early in the second half. He was seen yelling at Matt Eberflus to go for it, showing confidence not only in himself but in his entire unit.
They picked up that first down.
Brown used the power and elusiveness of his key players, such as Williams, Rome Odunze, and D’Andre Swift, to give Green Bay trouble. He did not try to get too creative with the play designs. He simply wanted to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers, and it paid off.
As far as why Williams was more of a pocket passer before Sunday’s game, that remains to be known. The only logical sense is that they did not want him to risk injury. But Thomas Brown handed Williams the keys to the offense and allowed him to make plays with his legs.
He also seems to have some good chemistry with rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze, as the two connected on six throws for 65 yards and a big fourth-down conversion late.
Both of them are rookies, and if they are able to stay in Chicago for some time, they could become a deadly duo through the aerial attack. Thomas’ game plan worked. If not for the near-miraculously blocked field goal at the end, his offense would have given Chicago their first win over the Packers in the last 11 meetings. What remains to be seen is what exactly this narrowly contested game says about the immediate future of the Packers’ defense — and the Bears’ future for many years to come.