2024 Week 1: Chicago Bears 24, Tennessee Titans 17

[Photo: USA Today]

Player Grades

The grading scale goes from -2 to +2, in half-point increments, for each play. Screens are graded as runs. Penalties are counted in whatever phase they were committed. Pre- and post-snap penalties are in the “Misc.” column. “Short” throws are 10 yards or less, “Medium” is 10-20, “Deep” is over 20. Everything else (scrambles, throwaways, reads, etc.) is under “Miscellaneous.” Parentheses in a column denote grades/snaps from the opposite side of the ball and are not included in grades/snaps from the player’s usual side. Snap counts are from Pro Football Reference. Box score and other relevant info can be found at that link as well.

Give it to me straight, how bad was it?

Actually, not that bad. While this wasn’t the debut anybody wanted, and Caleb himself will tell you that, he never looked lost out there. With the exception of that 19-yard sack, Caleb Williams wasn’t making bad decisions, and that’s the most important thing. The timing on the throws can be improved and will come as he adjusts to the NFL. There were a handful of plays that were off by not very much that this space asserts will be there by November.

So why were those plays off?

Part of it is the fact that it’s a rookie QB and a new offensive coordinator and nobody realls plays as much as they used to in the preseason and when they do, you’re avoiding putting much on tape, so week 1 sees a lot of less-than-great football. Part of it is that the interior of this offensive line still sucks. The deep shot to Allen needs to be completed and went down as a minus in grading, but in fairness to Caleb, he couldn’t fully step into the throw because Jenkins got beat. Another Jenkins loss threw off the timing on a pass to Odunze that was ultimately broken up. A pass intended for Allen on 3rd-and-goal got tipped at the line because Coleman Shelton was flat on his face when Caleb let it go. Bates is already hurt for the second time since coming here, so it’s Jenkins-Shelton-Davis on the interior until he’s back. All I have to say is that there had better be a really good reason Ryan Poles didn’t bring in Connor Williams.

Defense?

There was some restlessness among the fanbase when Tennessee marched down the field a couple times in the first half, but fortunately, any fears turned out to be unfounded. The Titans got two long TD drives, a field goal set up by Jones’ latest screw-up, and that’s it. The first TD drive was aided by the Titans figuring out that Austin Booker is not a good run defender. Their second TD was an inch-perfect throw with pressure bearing down (no pun intended) on Levis that had to be inch-perfect and required a great catch because it was covered well. That’s one where you shrug your shoulders and move on – you were good, they were just better. The second half was pure dominance. Only two Tennessee drives finished with double-digit yardage, both ended in picks. The other five drives amassed 18 yards total.

Monsters

Wright, Billings, Dexter, Edwards, Jaylon, Stevenson. Tory Taylor was big in the field position battle. Cairo was his usual great self. Hardy blocked the punt, Owens scooped and scored.

Chipmunks

Booker was bad in limited action. Nate Davis, Coleman Shelton

Four Stars of the Game

Tyrique Stevenson

  Jaylon Johnson

  Andrew Billings

  Tory Taylor, Darnell Wright (Full star to each because woohoo 1-0)

 

Whatever Elmo’s calling it now, Bluesky, Threads: @312sportsguy