While Caleb Williams' stats from the Chicago Bears' Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers don't seem impressive on paper (23/31 for 231 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions), the rookie quarterback played with a certain poise and confidence unseen since Week 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Williams made several big-time throws in the fourth quarter and had the Bears in a position to win.
Former Bears quarterback and current Fox Sports 1 host Chase Daniel discussed a particular play in which Williams identified a Cover 0 pressure and made the appropriate adjustment at the line of scrimmage to convert a huge play.
Why is this relevant? The Bears' next opponent is the Minnesota Vikings, who are led on the defensive side of the ball by Brian Flores. Known as the " King of the Cover 0 blitz," Flores will undoubtedly dial up pressure against Williams. Per NFL Pro stats, the Vikings rank second in overall blitz percentage, with Flores using the tactic on 38.8% of his plays, even reaching 45-plus percent blitzes in several games this season.
In Week 11, during offensive coordinator Thomas Brown's first game calling the Bears' plays, Williams’ average time to throw was 2.77 seconds, his fastest of the season. Against the blitz, he went 8/10 with 87 yards on 12 dropbacks, earning a 94.5 offensive grade and a 92.0 passing grade from Pro Football Focus.
If Williams can continue to show he can handle the pressure, the Bears may be able to come out of Sunday's game with a victory.
