The Chicago Bears don’t play a game today, enjoying their bye week. Players are getting some rest and much-needed time to heal from injuries. It feels like the timing is perfect after capping a three-game winning streak with a 35-16 drubbing of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is at the heart of this turnaround, throwing seven touchdowns and only one interception across that stretch. He already looks like a veteran despite only six total games of experience.
Now, the focus shifts to the Washington Commanders. They are next on the schedule, and the hype for the game is already building. Their own rookie quarterback, #2 overall pick Jayden Daniels, has gotten off to an electric start, averaging over 30 points per game and completing well above 70% of his passes. Many believe he’s a shoo-in for Rookie of the Year and has even said the Bears made a mistake not picking him. That alone should motivate Williams. However, former scouting director Greg Gabriel believes there is a deeper drive for this game pushing him.
Washington, by virtue of playing at home, will have a decided advantage, but the hidden factor is that Caleb Williams is from Washington, D.C., and we know darn well that he is going to want to play well in his hometown. Right now, I feel that game is a toss-up, but let’s just say that Washington wins.
Caleb Williams aims to remind Daniels who owns that city.
Before becoming a star in college, he was a star in high school. On a last-second Hail Mary, Williams won the equivalent of a state championship there. He ended up winning Gatorade Player of the Year as the best high school player in the country. People forget that Hall of Fame point guard Isaiah Thomas was a superstar basketball player from Chicago before he made his name in Detroit. He took it personally when Michael Jordan arrived there, stealing all the fans that used to be his. As a result, he made it his mission to torture the Bulls for years in the 1980s.
It sounds like Caleb Williams might have the same mentality. While he doesn’t hate Daniels in any sense, he isn’t about to let the fellow rookie steal the hearts of his hometown without so much as a response. This upcoming game is the perfect opportunity. Not only is the Bears defense well-equipped to slow the Commanders offense down, but Washington’s defense is towards the bottom of the league against the pass. It could be a fun day if the Williams we saw in London shows up.
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Caleb will likely play for Washington at some point in his career.
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@Dr.Sallie: That makes sense. Frankly, if there was an England vs. Australia cricket match held, say, in Oklahoma City, I suspect the fan base would be quite blaze. Hope you had fun in Chinatown.
I suspect Maye looked like Caleb in his first three starts. The question is when does he flip the switch – after three games like Caleb (we hope, need more data on that), or after 7 seasons like Sam Darnold.
And the Bears game fans were crazy. Although a large crowd, the fans here were only mildly into the game. A good college game or soccer match would have been more interesting with a better energy.
@Dr. Melhus Notice I did not comment during or after the Bears’ game. I knew Rocket would wonder why and come up with all sorts of derogatory notions. And he did. TGena indirectly asked me in a respectful way. I have yet to comment about it. The ticket(s) I received for this game were essentially free and not in the best view. I gave one away to the Oxfam Charity. I really had a 2% interest in the game. The weather did clear up and the game became slightly more interesting. Summary: both QBs played decently, but Maye should not… Read more »
No Bears football today 😢