On Thursday, the coordinators of the Chicago Bears addressed the media at Halas Hall as the team readied itself for the upcoming NFC Divisional Round clash against the Los Angeles Rams. Following a dramatic comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round, the Bears are looking to build on that momentum.
In their last game, quarterback Caleb Williams orchestrated an impressive fourth-quarter drive, marking his seventh such drive this season, while the defense made crucial adjustments to stifle the Packers in the second half. However, to secure a win against the Rams, the Bears must quickly address their tendency to fall behind, especially after facing an 18-point deficit at halftime last week.
Offensive Strategy and Play Calls
The Bears” recent victory was characterized by several explosive plays that led to three pivotal touchdowns late in the game. A prime example of their strategic play-calling occurred during a two-point conversion attempt after their second touchdown. Head coach Ben Johnson utilized a jumbo package, creating the appearance of a run play, only to shift rookie tight end Colston Loveland out wide for an advantageous one-on-one matchup against a Packers linebacker.
“I just think anytime you plan something and you go out and execute it at a high level, it”s really what we do it for,” said Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. “It”s why we spend all this time in the offseason and during the week game planning. To watch it come to life is really what it”s all about.”
Johnson”s innovative approach was also evident in Williams” touchdown pass to DJ Moore. By placing right tackle Darnell Wright on the left side and sending him to the flat, the Bears misled the Packers into anticipating a screen pass to rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III, allowing Moore to make a clear catch for the touchdown.
Defensive Adjustments and Player Availability
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is optimistic as he prepares to have all his secondary players available for the first time this season. Slot cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson participated fully in practice after recovering from a concussion, alongside Kyler Gordon, who returned from injured reserve. Both players will be integral in executing the game plan against the Rams” high-powered offense.
“We”ll see how the game plays out, but we got a plan in place for both those players to have a role on all down and distance situations,” Allen noted. He also acknowledged the importance of managing their playing time due to their recent injuries, as neither player has fully recovered.
Special Teams Contributions
While the offense and defense made significant contributions to the comeback, the Bears” special teams also played a crucial role. Following their opening touchdown, kicker Cairo Santos disrupted a potential play by getting in the way of Packers running back Josh Jacobs, allowing safety Elijah Hicks to recover a fumble attempt.
“I thought Hicks did an unbelievable job,” said Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower. “For him to have the awareness to punch at the ball was outstanding, and the play wouldn”t have been possible without Cairo”s effort.” Hightower also praised defensive end Daniel Hardy for his consistent performance on special teams, highlighting his competitive spirit as they face his former team this week.
The Bears are gearing up for a challenging matchup against the Rams, and the insights from their coordinators shed light on their preparations and strategies for the critical game ahead.
