Bears’ Williams, Offense Struggle to Convert Red Zone Opportunities as Cincinnati Looms
BALTIMORE, MD – The Chicago bears face mounting pressure to improve their red zone efficiency after a frustrating performance in sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, where a key fourth-and-goal pass fell incomplete. Quarterback Caleb Williams missed a wide-open receiver Darnell Moore in the end zone, sparking debate over whether Moore should have continued his route or if Williams simply misfired.
The Bears are heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, a team currently ranked 30th in red zone defense, making improvements in scoring touchdowns a critical priority.
Coach Ben Johnson addressed the incomplete pass, stating, “For that particular play, [Moore is] running the back line. he does have the ability to shut it down in an open window. It’s a unique look where there happens to be a second-level defender in the area,he shut it down. Do I wish he would have stayed on the move? Sure. I also know at this level, that’s open. We have two really good players right there, and we can find a way to hook up.”
Williams himself has identified key areas for personal improvement within the 20-yard line. He aims to be more aware of utilizing his legs to pressure the defense, accelerate his progression through reads, and avoid sacks.
However,Williams emphasized the issue isn’t solely his obligation. “As a run game, as a pass game, it comes down to details,” he said. “Run game, staying on landmarks, hitting the holes, and finding those, even if it’s not a gaping hole, getting those dirty 4 yards, 3 yards, because that goes a long way. And then the pass game is just being on the same page. And then, like, the one sack that I had down there in the beginning of the game, it’s just being able to either dirt it or find the back right there. Just being in those situations, finding checkdowns, being on the same page, being detailed, finding execution.”
Compounding the red zone struggles are persistent penalties. The Bears were flagged 11 times in Baltimore and are averaging two false-start penalties per game. Offensive line coach Doyle revealed the team employed “unorthodox” tactics in practice this week to address the pre-snap issues, but declined to elaborate on the specific strategies.
Through seven games, the Bears have reached the red zone 23 times in 76 total drives.A concerning 10 of those 23 drives were hampered by offensive penalties. While only three of Chicago’s 11 red zone touchdowns have come on drives with a penalty, five of their 16 total touchdown drives this season have included a flag.
right tackle Darnell Wright highlighted the timing of the penalties as particularly damaging. “We have them at terrible times,” Wright said. ”Not to say it’s ever good to have [penalties], but the worst times to have them would be third down and the red zone. that’s when you’re most amped up to do your job, so it makes sense that it would show over there, but we need to focus in more at those times.”
