The Chicago Bears showed some improvement in their first game since Thomas Brown took over as offensive coordinator, but they still suffered another tough loss.
D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson each ran for a touchdown in the Bears’ highest-scoring game in a month. Caleb Williams made some key throws that put Chicago in a position to win, but Cairo Santos’ 46-yard field goal attempt was blocked on the final play of Sunday’s game, resulting in a 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
It was the Bears’ fourth straight loss, but they had only scored two touchdowns and 27 points in their previous three games combined during the losing streak.
“I thought Thomas did a great job, honestly,” said rookie receiver Rome Odunze. “I thought he put us in position to have success.”
Brown, 38, took over as offensive coordinator after Shane Waldron was fired earlier this week. Brown had previously been the passing game coordinator for the Bears and had called plays for the Carolina Panthers at times last season.
Johnson’s 1-yard touchdown run just before halftime ended a streak of 25 straight drives without a touchdown. This was the first time since December 2004 that Chicago had gone two consecutive games without scoring a touchdown.
“From the start of the week, obviously made the change at offensive coordinator. Was really pleased how the operation of that went in terms of collaboration with the offensive staff and the players,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said.
“And I think that showed today. Communication during the game was great. Guys are finding answers to move the ball. And they did a nice job of that. I thought Thomas Brown did a wonderful job of bringing that collaboration together.”
Williams had his best performance since a 226-yard, four-touchdown game against Jacksonville on October 13. The No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft was 23 of 31 for 231 yards in his first game against Green Bay, and he added 70 yards rushing on nine carries.
In his previous three games, Williams had completed just 50.5% of his passes for 468 yards and was sacked nine times in a 19-3 loss to New England. But against the Packers, he was sacked only three times.
The rookie was quicker with his throws and more decisive when he saw a running lane. He also praised Brown for how quickly he got the plays to him.
“I think there was a few instances where Thomas, right after one of the guys goes down on a run or one of the guys catches a pass and goes down, Thomas is right on the mic,” Williams said.
“Sometimes it’s a little tough to hear right in the moment because it’s normally a positive play. He’ll just keep repeating it.”
Led by Williams and Swift, who scored on a 39-yard run late in the third quarter, the Bears finished with 179 rushing yards on 34 attempts. In their previous two games combined, they had only 142 rushing yards on 43 carries.
“We woke up today, we knew it was going to be a fight to the end,” Swift said. “I’m just proud of the way we fought. I wish it would have ended differently, but back to work.”
