The Chicago Bears lured Ben Johnson from the Lions to develop Caleb Williams into their franchise quarterback. Through 13 games, the results are promising.
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Chicago Bears
Sunday, 1 p.m., in Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Record: 9-4.
Last game: Lost to Green Bay Packers, 28-21, December 7, in Green Bay, WI
Coach: Ben Johnson, 9-4, first year.
Series record: Browns lead, 11-7.
Last meeting: Browns won, 20-17, December 17, 2023, in Cleveland.
League rankings: Offense is fifth overall (second rushing, 14th passing), defense is 27th overall (27th rushing, 21st passing) and turnover differential is plus-17.
Things to watch
1. Ben Johnson was hired ostensibly to develop 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams into the Bears franchise quarterback. But what stands out in Johnson’s first season is their plus-17 turnover margin – first in the league by plus-5. Under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, the Bears lead the NFL in takeaways (27) and interceptions (18). To Johnson’s credit, their 10 offensive giveaways rank tied for third.
2. The takeaways speak to the talent in the secondary because the defense lags 26th in sacks with 24. Allen generates pressure largely by blitzing. They are eighth in blitz percentage (28.0). End Montez Sweat leads the team with 8.5 sacks, 12 tackles-for-loss and 13 quarterback hits.
3. Williams definitely has shown improvement under Johnson, but he is still regarded as a work in progress. He has dramatically improved in managing Johnson’s myriad shifts and motions, and on avoiding sacks (from 68 last year to 20 through 13 games). Over the last two years, Williams matches Lamar Jackson with the lowest interception percentage (1.2) in the NFL. He is a strong runner, tough to bring down, and his arm can make throws to any part of the field. His completion percentage (57.8) ranks 33rd, just below Cam Ward’s. Williams has a knack for connecting on tight-window throws while missing on easier touch passes.
4. The Bears invested heavily in their offensive line and the dividends has been a much more physical offense. Their better pass protection accounts for Williams’ drastic dip in sacks taken, and the line has been the engine of the NFL’s No. 2 rushing game. Johnson is relentless running the ball. The Bears are first in rush attempts 406), second in yards (1,984), fifth in rush average (4.9) and seventh in rushing touchdowns (15). Their one-two punch of D’Andre Swift (837 yards) and rookie Kyle Monangai (648) is Johnson’s Windy City version of Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Did you know … ?
1. Three Bears defenders rank in the top six in interceptions. Safety Kevin Byard leads with six, cornerback Nahshon Wright is second with five and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is sixth with four. At 6-4, Wright is one of the tallest cornerbacks in the NFL. No. 1 cornerback Jaylon Johnson has been back for the last two games after missing most of the season with groin/muscle core injuries.
2. Johnson spreads the ball around in the passing game. Five players have 30 or more receptions – wide receiver Rome Odunze (44), wide receiver D.J. Moore (39), wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (37), tight end Colston Loveland (35) and wide receiver Luther Burden (30).
3. The Bears are almost as bad as the Browns in punt coverage. They’ve allowed 13.1 yards per return v. the Browns’ 13.6 and have surrendered one return TD. Their return teams rank 15th (punt) and 16th (kickoffs).
4. The Bears are one of four teams with a winning record and a negative point differential. They are 9-4. The three others are 7-6.
5. By losing to Green Bay last week, the Bears fell from the NFC No. 1 seed to the No. 7 seed. They feel an 11-6 record should secure a wild-card berth. Their four remaining games are home against the Browns, home against the Packers, at San Francisco and home against the Lions.
6. Forecasts for Sunday call for a high temperature of 11 degrees with winds of 10-15 mph, which would equate to a wind chill of minus-5 degrees.
Small world: Quarterback Case Keenum (2020-21), defensive end Joe Tryon-Shroyinka (2025) and defensive tackle Andrew Billings (2020-21) played for the Browns … tight ends coach Jim Dray played (2014-15) and coached (2019) for the Browns … special teams coordinator Richard Hightower was a Browns offensive quality control assistant in 2014 … defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett was Browns assistant defensive line coach in 2020-21 … defensive assistant/nickelback coach Cannon Matthews was Browns assistant defensive backs coach in 2016.