Bears, Colts eager to define identity growing pains for young QBs

If pressure makes diamonds, the Bears can speak in absolutes when referring to rookie quarterback Caleb Williams as a gem.

Williams and the Bears lick their wounds and take to the road for the second consecutive game with a short trek to Indianapolis on Sunday.

Chicago plans “no changes” to personnel protecting Williams, and head coach Matt Eberflus is confident the growing pains won’t be quite as literal moving forward. The Texans sacked Williams seven times Sunday night in Houston and hit him in the pocket on four other plays, not including the sideline blast at the chains by Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

“There’s some great learning moments there in terms of the pressure,” Eberflus said.

Depending on who fields the question, Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, has lacked either the protection or the patience to utilize the array of weapons the Bears proudly assembled around him in the offseason. He enters Week 3 as the team’s leading rusher with 59 yards and has only one completion over 20 yards, no touchdown passes and was sacked nine times in his first two NFL games. After going 5-for-5 on the opening drive at Houston, the Texans sent heavy pressure. On plays he was pressured, Williams’ completion percentage dipped below 35 percent for a total of 33 yards with two interceptions.

“I’m a little bruised up still. Body-wise, moving all of that, I feel good throwing and running around,” Williams said Wednesday.

The Bears rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat the Tennessee Titans in the opener with just 148 yards total offense. New coordinator Shane Waldron has a 44-66 run-pass ratio through two games and the Bears are converting 26.7 percent of third downs. No. 1 wide receiver DJ Moore vented in the loss but said Wednesday he showed “too much frustration” on the sideline.

He emphasized the importance of the Bears “honing in on our identity, whether it’s going to be running the ball or passing the ball.”

Moore was not listed on the injury report for Chicago on Wednesday but Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (knee) are not at full strength.

The Colts could be ripe for the picking on the ground. Packers running back Josh Jacobs gained 151 yards in Week 2 and Indianapolis defensive tackle DeForest Buckner landed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

“Obviously a huge blow,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said of Buckner’s injury. “Phenomenal teammate, phenomenal player for our football team, phenomenal player for the NFL. That guy is so freaking tough.”

With Buckner out, Indianapolis could lean more heavily on rookie defensive end Laiatu Latu to get to Williams. But Latu began the week sidelined by a hip injury.

Barring turnovers, the Bears are likely to test the Colts’ reconfigured defensive front. Indianapolis has been roasted for 474 rushing yards and 5.1 yards per carry this season.

Williams said the two “stupid mistakes,” referring to his interceptions last week, won’t happen again but admits he’s still adjusting to the NFL.

“Just getting used to getting hit again, it’s been a while. It’s been since Nov. 18 (his final game at USC) since the last time I got hit — like really hit,” Williams said.” Getting used to that, getting used to having games like that, there’s going to be games like that. It’s the NFL.”

The Bears’ health also would be a concern if guards Teven Jenkins (thigh) and Nate Davis (groin) miss the game.

Eberflus, who is 11-25 as the Bears head coach, returns to his old stomping grounds at Lucas Oil Stadium. Before being hired by Chicago, Eberflus was the defensive coordinator of the Colts.

Indianapolis (0-2) lost to Houston in Week 1 and then dropped a 16-10 rock fight at Green Bay last week. The Colts’ prized passer, 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson, threw three interceptions at Lambeau Field and has a passer rating of 63.1 (Williams is at 53). Richardson was drafted fourth overall but makes just his seventh career start on Sunday.

Steichen said Richardson is making the right reads and isn’t going to overreact to a turnover-heavy game, following the same progression he used to help Justin Herbert develop as a rookie with the Chargers.

“Four games into it, maybe five, he was rolling,” Steichen said of Herbert’s development. “That’s the thing, as long as the ball is going to the right spot — with anything, it just takes time. It’s a process going through this thing with young quarterbacks. But, shoot, he’s a helluva football player and we’re excited to have him.”

Steichen, 9-10 as a head coach and in his second season with the Colts, would like to see the offense start faster. Prior to the fourth quarter in the first two games, Indianapolis has scored 16 total points. Wide receiver Josh Downs practiced Wednesday and could make his 2024 debut as a valuable slot receiver and outlet for Richardson.

“They had a good connection last year, it will definitely help having him back,” Steichen said.

The Colts are averaging 6.1 yards per carry this season and the running game could help counter Chicago’s aggressive front seven. Richardson has 10 carries for 93 yards and Jonathan Taylor has 151 rushing yards.

“They fly around pretty good. Got a lot of respect for ‘Flus,” Steichen said, noting the Bears’ four takeaways and punt block. “They do a lot with movement. We’ve got to be ready for them.”

This is the first meeting between the teams since the Colts beat the Bears 19-11 in Chicago in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Raiders look to avoid ‘shocker’ vs. Andy Dalton-led Panthers

The Las Vegas Raiders will experience a role reversal Sunday as heavy favorites against a visiting Carolina Panthers squad that is making a major change to a key position.

“There are shockers each and every week,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “Last week, it was us (winning). We don’t want to be on that headline (this week).”

The Raiders (1-1) are fresh off a comeback victory at Baltimore last weekend after a frustration-filled Week 1 result against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“How do we follow that up?” Pierce said. “I want to be consistent each and every week.”

The Panthers (0-2) are changing quarterbacks, deciding to have veteran Andy Dalton as the starter. He’ll replace 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young, who hasn’t gained much traction two weeks into his second season.

Carolina has been outscored 73-13 by the New Orleans Saints and Chargers but doesn’t want to be defined by just a pair of games.

“We still don’t know who we are yet,” Dalton said. “It’s still early. … Hopefully, we can really put it together and see what we can be.”

The Panthers weren’t willing to wait any longer before making a move after seeing an offense that was ineffective for the second straight Sunday in a 26-3 loss to the Chargers in Week 2.

“Focusing on the details,” Carolina coach Dave Canales said of what his team must do to improve. “Focusing on being right where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there. Those are things we have to get better at as a whole group.”

Before facing the Panthers in their home opener, the Raiders showed the ability to bounce back on the road against the Ravens, despite entering the game as 8 1/2-point underdogs.

“Can we just do it for four quarters?” Pierce said. “Let’s see what that looks like in front of our home crowd.”

Las Vegas is led by well-traveled quarterback Gardner Minshew, who’s with his third team in as many seasons. He completed 30 of 38 throws for 276 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the 26-23 win at Baltimore.

With Dalton, 36, there could be a different vibe for Carolina’s offense.

“It’s nice to kind of be back in this position and affect the game,” he said. “I’m just thankful for an opportunity. I wasn’t sure I was going to get it again.”

Dalton is counting on his background to help him get through.

“I’ve been in this position before,” he said. “The experience I’ve had in this league for a long time.”

Canales was peppered with questions this week regarding what’s next for Young, 23, and what this move means in terms of his development.

“My concern is the football team,” Canales said. “My concern is that we push the whole group … and the focus is on the Raiders.”

Dalton has credentials as a three-time Pro Bowler, and the Panthers certainly hope that he’s the story this weekend rather than Young’s benching.

His only start as a Panther came a year ago in a Week 3 loss at Seattle, where he threw for 361 yards and two TDs. In his career, Dalton’s record is 83-78-2 as a starter, including 4-0 against the Raiders.

Carolina needs boosts in several areas. The Panthers began the week with only four healthy defensive linemen.

–Field Level Media

It’s home opener, take 2, for Jets’ Aaron Rodgers vs. Pats

Jets fans are hoping to get a longer look at quarterback Aaron Rodgers when New York faces the New England Patriots on Thursday night in East Rutherford, N.J.

The last time Rodgers stepped onto the turf at MetLife Stadium, he lasted just four plays, tearing his left Achillies tendon in the Jets’ 2023 season opener against the Buffalo Bills.

That injury put Rodgers on the shelf for the entirety of the campaign. He was still credited with the win against Buffalo, but it wasn’t until Sunday that Rodgers led the Jets (1-1) to victory while playing for a full game. The 40-year-old completed 18 of 30 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns as New York beat the Tennessee Titans 24-17.

Now that the Jets have their first real taste of success with Rodgers under center, New York coach Robert Saleh is banking on the home crowd giving his team a significant advantage on Thursday.

“I hope it’s off the chain,” Saleh said, referring to the type of atmosphere he expects. “I mean, shoot, it’s our home opener coming on a Thursday. I know our fans are some of the most passionate fans in all of football. … You want to play in the spotlight.”

The Jets will need all the help they can get as they try to crack a New England defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest points per game (16.5) through the first two weeks of the season.

After picking up a clean 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, the Patriots (1-1) faltered late to drop a 23-20 overtime decision against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Rhamondre Stevenson found the end zone from 1 yard out to put New England up 20-17 with 12:43 left in regulation, but the Patriots let Seattle march its way to Jason Myers’ 38-yard field goal that tied the game with 55 seconds to go.

Myers nailed a game-winning 31-yarder in overtime. New England got the ball to open the extra session but went three-and-out.

It marked the first career loss for Patriots first-year coach Jerod Mayo, who is now trying to effectively navigate a short week.

“I think the first thing is to recover. That’s the first thing,” Mayo said. “So in saying that, we’re going to bring the guys in late every day this week. … I think it’s important that those guys rest up. It also gives the coaches an opportunity to get the game plan put together. That’s the first thing.

“Secondly, it comes back to executing. When you’re sore, when you’re tired, that’s what it really comes back to.”

And leaning on the defense might not be an option for New England come Thursday.

Multiple media outlets reported Monday that Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley sustained a season-ending pectoral injury against the Seahawks, and fellow linebacker Oshane Ximines (knee) also was ruled out in Wednesday’s injury report and went on injured reserve after not practicing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

New England guard Sidy Sow is dealing with an ankle issue and was ruled out along with offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (knee). Center David Andrews (hip), offensive lineman Mike Onwenu (wrist), defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. (shoulder) and safety Jabrill Peppers (shoulder) are listed as questionable for the game.

The Jets listed linebacker Jermaine Johnson II, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn right Achilles tendon, as out, and linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) as questionable.

–Field Level Media