The Chicago Bears are 2-2 heading out of their early bye week, and momentum is starting to build in their favor. The team beat both the Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys this season, but they lost to NFC North rivals the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, giving them that 2-2 record.
Now, the Bears are refreshed after their week off and ready to hit the field again. Chicago plays the Washington Commanders on Monday, October 13, under the big lights for Monday Night Football. It’s a bit funny that the Bears will be playing a Monday game after their bye week, giving them an even longer vacation.
The Chicago Bears selected quarterback Caleb Williams as their No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and there have always been high expectations on his shoulder. His rookie season with the team was up-and-down, but now, he’s under the guidance of former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and starting to bloom. As it turns out, Williams has even achieved an interesting stat during his time with the Bears, and in doing so, he has made NFL history.
Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears is a First
According to a post by Bears Muse on X that was shared on Sunday, October 5, he’s the first of No. 1 overall picks of quarterbacks to have 25-plus touchdown and less than 10 interceptions in less than 20-plus games. It’s a little confusing, but it’s something good, so we’ll take it.
The rest of the NFL is starting to notice that Williams is blossoming, too. Jack McKessy of USA Today has released his tally of power rankings for quarterbacks going into Week 6, and it’s a comprehensive lineup. In the piece out on Wednesday, October 8, he notes that Week 5 was filled with upsets in the NFL, because both of the league’s remaining undefeated franchises, the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bill, lost.
So, where does Goff fall in his quarterback rankings? He’s No. 13, which isn’t too shabby. “The Bears were on a bye in Week 5, and Williams remains in the same spot,” McKessy notes in the feature.
Chicago Bears Still Have a Ways to Go to Earn Respect
ESPN has released its power rankings for all of the NFL teams heading into Week 6. In the Tuesday, October 7 piece, they have the Bears as No. 20. We’d love to see it higher.
“The Bears had one player projected in ESPN Fantasy’s preseason top 50 (wide receiver DJ Moore), but Williams’ improvement in his first month in Ben Johnson’s offense has increased his fantasy value,” says Courtney Cronin of ESPN. “Williams has established a strong connection with his go-to receiver Rome Odunze (five touchdowns) while throwing for 917 yards with eight touchdown passes and two interceptions.”
Cronin adds, “And he has been effective while scrambling, rushing for 97 yards and a touchdown. Williams’ average of 20.5 fantasy points per game is seventh among quarterbacks.”
So, the Bears still have a lot to prove, but they’re moving in the right direction. ESPN also named Williams as their “fantasy surprise” in a good way.
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