Windy City Gridiron
The Philadelphia Eagles were credited with two sacks on Friday, but Caleb Williams nearly evaded one, and he was a few inches away from avoiding the second one. Even with the two sacks allowed, he and the Chicago Bears have done a phenomenal job in getting that aspect of his game under control.
Last year, Williams was sacked on 10.8% of his dropbacks, which was the third-highest in the league and the 12th-worst mark in franchise history. This year, that’s down to 4.6%, which ranks eighth-best in the NFL.
It’s also the fewest sacks I’ve broken down to this point in a season since I’ve been doing this!
Sack 18 – 2nd Quarter 3:37 – Jalen Carter
Left tackle Ozzy Trapillo misjudged the speed from Nolan Smith Jr. (#3) off the edge, and he barely touched him as he ran past and nearly sacked Williams. This was Trapilo’s worst rep on the day, and he deserves some of the blame here, even though Williams slipped Smith’s tackle.
Right guard Jonah Jackson was walked back into his quarterback’s lap by Jalen Carter, and this may have been Jackson’s worst rep of the day. So he’s getting some of the blame here, too.
Had one or the other allowed a solo pressure, Williams would have done his Houdini thing, but eluding both wasn’t happening.
Sack 19 – 3rd Quarter 10:53 – Nolan Smith Jr.
I can’t stand the 0-yard sack, and I especially don’t like this one because Caleb slid to give himself up, and it gifted Nolan Smith the sack. This one is on the QB, but with Smith fast approaching with the angle, Williams went down.
This play obviously went awry, but I love its design, and I guarantee we’ll see it again this season.
First off, how about Caleb’s pirouette to get by Brandon Graham (#55)?
As for the play, the tight end motion then return is a look we’ve seen a bit from Ben Johnson (like here and here), but this time there was a timing or spacing issue by Colston Loveland or Olamide Zaccheaus off Chicago’s left side. If they don’t collide, Loveland is into the flat and open after the play action. It’s also possible Zaccheaus was supposed to curl up to set a pick to ensure the safety wouldn’t be able to get all the way out to Loveland.
DJ Moore is running a crosser from the right side for an intermediate option, with Rome Odunze deep on the corner route.
Nice spacing here, but poor execution.
Here’s the Sackwatch tally after twelve games.
Caleb Williams – 7
Sacks Happen – 3.5
Braxton Jones – 2
Drew Dalman – 2
Jonah Jackson – 1.5
Theo Benedet – 1.5
Darnell Wright – 1
Ozzy Trapillo – .5
As I’ve often said, the breakdowns are based on my best guesses about each play. Only the Bears know the specifics and where the blame truly lies for each sack allowed.
Historical Sackwatch after thirteen weeks:
2010 – 45...
