Windy City Gridiron
The Chicago Bears gave up their most sacks in two months when the Cleveland Browns got to Caleb Williams three times, and they’re up to 23 sacks allowed this season. That’s the fewest through 14 games since I started this series, and with a 4.7 sack percentage, the Bears are the seventh-least sacked team in the NFL. Last season, Williams was sacked 4 times per game, but this year it’s just 1.6.
Caleb is clearly more comfortable in the pocket, and while part of the improvement is definitely on the revamped offensive line, Ben Johnson’s offense is a big part as well.
Before I get into the sacks, here are a few things the Bears did to try to slow down Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Chicago kept chip help on the edges quite a bit for maximum protection. They’d check if pressure was coming, then release as a check-down option. On this play, the Bears were in a condensed diamond formation, with a tailback and two tight ends in the backfield. It was a play action where both tight ends helped on the edge before releasing, and the running back stayed in to help. Caleb had time, and he delivered a strike to Luther Burden III in the middle of the field.
This is the Colston Loveland block that has been making the rounds on social media. Garrett was lined up in a wide nine technique, so the Bears put Loveland just outside him with a clear directive.
This next clip from long-time NFL offensive lineman A.Q. Shipley explains why Loveland’s block was so effective.
This next play was my favorite of the game (at the time). The Browns dropped a defensive lineman into coverage while blitzing off both edges. Chicago’s running back went right, so Caleb was responsible for the blitzer off his left side. He knew he had to get the ball out fast, and he knew he’d probably get hit. Loveland was his hot read, and he made a fantastic catch.
Now on to the sacks…
Sack 21 – 2nd Quarter 5:38 – Myles Garrett
This sack didn’t bother me because it was a third down, the Bears were in field goal range, and Williams didn’t want to force anything. Cairo Santos missed the field goal, but taking the sack was the right decision.
Garrett was chipped, but he still got around left tackle Ozzy Trapilo with little effort. You’d like to see Ozzy hold up a little longer or push Garrett past the pocket, but the quick shake to the inside by Garrett was all he needed to get around Trapilo. Caleb started to throw the left to right underneath crosser, but there was a Cleveland defensive back set up in zone, so he pulled it back. This was good coverage by the Browns, but I got to ding the rookie left tackle here.
Sack 22 – 3rd Quarter 12:20 – A.Wright
This was a fourth-and-three from the Cleveland...
