Welcome to the latest edition of 5 Questions. This weekly collaboration is a way for SB Nation to preview the Ravens upcoming matches. Bill Zimmerman, of Windy City Gridiron, is here to answer Baltimore Beatdown’s questions for Week 6 as the Chicago Bears visit Baltimore this week.
Check out Baltimore Beatdown for their answers to Windy City Gridiron questions regarding the Ravens.
1. The Bears are on a four-game winning streak. What is the main reason for their winning streak? And how can this continue into Week 8?
Ben Johnson has contributed the most to my opinion. Each game has been different. Caleb Williams was unable to be stopped, and that’s why they beat Dallas. Caleb Williams played well in the game-winning drive and they then blocked a field goal. D’Andre Swift, and the running attack, were the key against the Commanders. The Saints were beaten by the Saints’ defense.
We see that the various parts of the team are playing well, but not consistently. This team can be a contender for the playoffs if/when it is able to do this. But at this stage, their strong play has been too sporadic. The team is beginning to develop a winning culture.
The Bears’ close wins are games that they have consistently lost in the past two years. That’s changed. Johnson makes the team believe they can win but also lets them know that they aren’t quite where they should be and that they need to keep working hard to improve. This is a welcome change.
2. Ben Johnson has been the most popular candidate to be the next head coach for several years. Is he and Caleb Williams compatible? What has changed in Johnson’s strategy with a quarterback who is more mobile and out of structure compared to Jared Goff, a pocket passer?
Caleb Williams had a mixed season up to this point. However, we have seen that certain aspects of his game have improved significantly from last year. Williams’ sack rate has dropped dramatically because he is able to move the ball faster from play-to-play. Williams had a league high 68 sacks last season. This year, he has only been sacked eleven times. He is on track to have about 30 sacks. His throw time has improved dramatically. Williams has held onto the ball at times and tried to make something happen, even though it may not appear statistically.
Johnson wants Williams to be able to play in the pocket quickly and efficiently, but he also wants him to buy time and run the ball when necessary. The idea seems to be to run the offense the way I do most of the times, but to not be afraid to try and be Superman when the situation calls for it.
3. Has any of the Bears skill-position players played similar roles to Johnson’s in Chicago? How has he adjusted to his new players’ abilities?
Johnson’s greatest strength is his ability to adapt to the players that he has. He is not trying to copy the Detroit Lions offense; he wants to put his receivers into the best possible position to succeed. In the run-game, Johnson used Gibbs in Detroit, and Montgomery was also a key player in Detroit, but during the early season D’Andre Swift dominated the carries. It will be interesting to watch if Kyle Monangai continues to play more against New Orleans.
Colston Loveland isn’t a major part of the offensive yet. This will likely change in the future when Loveland has settled into the league, and the offense. But again, Johnson hasn’t tried to force Loveland to become something he isn’t ready to be.
Rome Odunze has become an important part of the offensive. DJ Moore has had his role reduced but is still the number two target for the team at this stage. Olamide Zaccheaus is the one who consistently gets targets after the first two. We have seen Luther Burden get limited opportunities. This offense is still evolving. What it looks like today will not be the same in December.
4. What has Nahshon done to fill in for Jaylon at cornerback? Does he, or another member of the Bears’ defense, represent a weak point for the Ravens?
Wright has done an excellent job in filling for Jaylon Johnson. But let’s be honest, it is a big loss for the defense. Wright is not a boundary corner of the same caliber as Johnson, who is one of the top ten corners in this league. Wright has performed well under Dennis Allen’s system. Wright has two interceptions including a pick six that he made against J.J. McCarthy during week one. He is good at defending the run and coming up to it. While he may have been beaten on some occasions, he does a great job of staying with his man during most passing plays.
Tyrique Stevenson, after a rough start to the year, has played a largely stellar game in the last three or so games. The secondary is much improved since Jared Goff’s brutal attack in week 2.
The defense played excellent football in the past two weeks, but they lack the ability to consistently get pressure rushing four. The best way to defeat the Bears is to exploit the lack of pressure from the pass rush. Make sure that the quarterback stays patient and run intermediate and deep routes to get the receivers open.
5. The Bears have invested heavily in their offensive line, much like the Lions for Johnson’s offense. What are the results so far?
In the beginning of the year the returns were slow, but in the last two weeks we have seen the offensive lines really come into their own. The run blocking has been excellent in the last two matches, and D’Andre Swift has had some great games because of it. Caleb Williams’ protection has improved significantly compared to the previous season.
Joe Thuney has continued to perform at an All Pro level. Darnell Wright is making strides in becoming a top right tackle. Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson are solid players this season. The Bears are relying on UDFA Theo Benedet, a 2nd-year player to stabilize the left tackle position. He did well in his two first opportunities, but struggled with the Saints. The Ravens should attack the offensive line at the left tackle position.
As they continue to work together on the field, the Bears offensive line could be one of the top 10 units in the league. PFF has them ranked 13th for their OL rankings. I expect this to improve.