The Chicago Bears secured a 26-14 victory over the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field, extending their win streak to four games. Despite the favorable outcome, several players underperformed significantly, raising concerns as the team prepares for upcoming challenges. Here are the five Bears who disappointed against the Saints.
1. Caleb Williams
Quarterback Caleb Williams struggled during the game, completing 15 of 26 passes for 172 yards without a touchdown and an interception. His passer rating dropped to 61.7. Williams displayed hesitance in the pocket and missed multiple open receivers. He is now off pace to break Erik Kramer’s single-season passing record of 3,838 yards, currently tracking at 3,827 yards.
2. Tyrique Stevenson
Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson had a challenging outing against the Saints. He allowed a significant 57-yard reception to Chris Olave, resulting in the Saints’ first touchdown. Additionally, Stevenson exited the game with a shoulder injury just before halftime, leaving the Bears’ cornerback situation even more precarious ahead of their next game against the Baltimore Ravens.
3. Drew Dalman
Center Drew Dalman’s performance was marked by snapping issues that nearly hindered the offense’s progress. He double-clutched a snap during a fourth-and-goal situation that resulted in a false start, stalling what should have been a crucial touchdown drive. While he received a respectable run-blocking grade of 76.8 from PFF, such mistakes overshadowed his offensive contributions.
4. Rome Odunze
Wide receiver Rome Odunze led the team in targets but only secured two catches from six attempts. His catch rate stands at a disappointing 18.2%, having caught just four passes on 11 targets over the last two games. Odunze’s struggles with contested catches significantly affected the Bears’ offensive flow.
5. Theo Benedet
Offensive lineman Theo Benedet finished the game with the lowest PFF grade on the team at 43.2. He faced relentless pressure from opponent Chase Young, making life difficult for quarterback Caleb Williams. Along with allowing sacks, Benedet committed two false starts, further compounding his underwhelming performance. His run-blocking grade of 53.7 did not compensate for his deficiencies in pass protection.
Final Thought
While the Bears celebrated a win against the Saints, the performance of these five players raises alarms. The team must address these issues to maintain their win streak. Without improvements, they could face tougher challenges as the season progresses, especially in their next matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
