Bears' Thomas Brown and Caleb Williams preview another upcoming chess match against Vikings' defensive coordinator Brian Flores
The Chicago Bears are getting set to face off against a familiar opponent on Monday Night Football and have plenty of film to look back on heading into this game.The Bears and Vikings faced off earlier this season, just 19 days ago, in an overtime affair in which rookie quarterback Caleb Williams played his best […]
The Chicago Bears are getting set to face off against a familiar opponent on Monday Night Football and have plenty of film to look back on heading into this game.
The Bears and Vikings faced off earlier this season, just 19 days ago, in an overtime affair in which rookie quarterback Caleb Williams played his best game of the season against one of the league's toughest defensive units.
Vikings' defensive coordinator Brian Flores has made life tough for opposing quarterbacks, especially young ones, since joining Minnesota. Williams was one of the exceptions who got the better of the top defensive mind through four quarters.
Williams actually led back-to-back scoring drives against the Vikings in the final two minutes to force overtime. However, in the extra period, Flores' defense threw the final haymaker to put Williams and the Bears' offense literally down for good.
This time around, Williams and interim head coach Thomas Brown are looking to make the adjustments needed on their end specifically to make sure that outcome flips the opposite way in Week 15.
"We did have some success in that first game as far as being able to move the ball at times, get the ball out and beat some of the pressures. [Flores will] make some adjustments," Brown said on Thursday. "As far as me trying to guess what he’s gonna do, I’m not even gonna try to do that…
"That’s a waste of my time when it comes to thinking about that defense and what he does with them. It’s more about us preparing our guys and having answers on every play."
Watching Williams operate against Flores' defense and various pressure packages was an encouraging sight from the young quarterback.
Williams not only survived but thrived during his first faceoff against Flores throwing for for 340 yards and 2 touchdowns while leading the team with 33 rushing yards. The only negatives to learn from looking back were the three sacks and 15 incompletions.
"I've been able to be decisive, knowing where guys are, knowing where my hots are. That still applies to that," Williams explained on Thursday. "And then obviously, we're gonna throw in a few wrinkles. They're gonna try and throw in a few wrinkles and try and make us mess up, make mistakes and things like that. I think it comes down to us knowing our job, doing it well, being detailed, being decisive, and going out there and playing violent."
The best part of that game, and largely the last few weeks for Williams, was the ability to avoid making costly turnovers. Williams has now gone 255 pass attempts without an interception, and that's not because he's playing too conservative.
"He's not playing scared. He's ripping some footballs into tight windows," Brown said about Williams. "I think it's probably even more impressive. It's not like he's sitting back there not taking an opportunity."
Attacking, and knowing when to attack, Flores' defense will be key for the Bears' offense to get back on track Monday night.
