Take one look at the Chicago Bears injury report for Week 9 versus the Arizona Cardinals, and you’ll get a fright with four starters listed as non-participants for Wednesday’s practice. Want another horror? Look at the NFC North playoff picture after the Chicago Bears’ brutal loss to the Washington Commanders last week in Landover, Maryland. Caleb Williams posted a career-low completion percentage in Week 8 amidst poor offensive line play, coaching, and play calling.
Injuries Hurt After Losing
Pouring salt in the wounds of the loss in Washington DC, five offensive linemen adorn the Chicago Bears’ injury report. The offensive line played worse than any position group on the field in Week 8, and now they’re licking their wounds in the training room to start Week 9. Starting Left Tackle Braxton Jones (knee) and backup Left Tackle Kiran Amegadjie (calf) were listed as DNP on the first practice report of the week. Starting Left Guard Teven Jenkins (knee) and potential starter Ryan Bates were limited. Backup Larry Borom (ankle) was a full participant after being activated from IR last week.
Three starting defenders are atop the Week 9 injury list and were all non-participants in practice to start the week. Defensive End Montez Sweat (shin) played his best game of the season against his former team in Week 8, putting up one sack, four total tackles, two tackles for loss, and three QB hits. Cornerback Jaquon Brisker has been in the NFL’s concussion protocol since Week 6 in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nickelback Kyler Gordon has also been injured since Week 6 against the Jaguars after he was forced to leave the game with a hamstring injury.
Chicago Bears Playoff Hopes
After blowing a game they didn’t deserve to win, but should have, the Chicago Bears have found themselves at the bottom of the toughest division in football, the NFC North. Despite having a winning record at 4-3, the Bears have an uphill battle to make the playoffs, especially if they find themselves in a wildcard race with the team they just lost to, the Washington Commanders. The NFL regular season will be half over after Week 9, and the Chicago Bears currently have a 19% chance to make the playoffs. If they lose to the Arizona Cardinals this week in Glendale, AZ, that drops to an 11% chance. If they win, it rises to 27%.
Caleb Steps Backwards
Caleb Williams regressed after the Week 7 bye. He’d been improving his stats and situational awareness through six games until the Week 8 loss to Washington. He played awful for the Chicago Bears for three quarters, average for half a quarter, and well at the end of the fourth quarter. Williams posted his third-lowest passer rating, second-lowest passing yardage total, and the worst completion percentage of his career against the Commanders. Caleb Williams had zero touchdowns for the third game in his career, which was a massive step back from his four-touchdown performance in Week 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
Conclusion
The Chicago Bears are their worst enemies, particularly the coaching on offense. OC Shane Waldron has also regressed, after seemingly getting things right in weeks 4-6. Waldron is back to calling plays that do not accentuate the personnel packages on the field, and his plays often do not jive with the down and distance or field position. The offensive line is struggling with injuries and execution. GM Ryan Poles would be wise to bring in an upgrade of talent to infuse the offensive line. Caleb Williams needs to get back to basics, working on his reads, footwork, and getting the ball out quickly. He has bailed out the offense with his legs as of late.
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