The Chicago Bears squeaked by with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, September 28, and even though the game was too close for comfort at 25-24, as they often say, a win is a win. The Chicago Bears are now 2-2 for the season, which is looking a lot better than where they sat at the start of the season.
New head coach Ben Johnson is getting his feet wet with his first head coach position in the NFL, and he’s been working with both the Bears’ offense and defense to get them to a new level. His hard work is paying off, and that was easy to see in the team’s dramatic victory over the Raiders. It’s not easy to bring the Raiders down in Las Vegas with Maxx Crosby on defense, but they did it.
Now, Johnson is finally getting some props and good news as the team prepares for their Week 6 game against the Washington Commanders. Of course, the team is on a bye right now, so they have some extra time to prepare and, in this case, enjoy the props that they’re getting.
Ben Johnson’s Chicago Bears Players Get Props
Congratulations are in order for Johnson and his Bears, because not one but two players are getting recognized for their excellent efforts this week. The NFL has named cornerback Josh Blackwell of the Chicago Bears NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
CB Speeding around the edge, Blackwell came up clutch to clinch the Bears’ 25-24 win on Sunday over the host Las Vegas Raiders,” Grant Gordon of the NFL’s website says of Blackwell. With 38 seconds to play and the Bears clinging to a one-point lead, Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson lined up for a 54-yard go-ahead field goal attempt. Blackwell had other ideas as he sprang onto the scene for an award-winning block.”
It doesn’t stop there. The PFF also gave the Bears some props this week and named safety Kevin Byard Defensive Player of the Week.
Kevin Byard came away with two interceptions off Geno Smith in the Bears’ win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, helping him earn a 94.4 PFF coverage grade,” they stated of his showing.
So, it’s great to see two Bears getting recognized in the NFL for their hard work and rocking it on the field. It should also help Johnson sleep better at night knowing that his team is getting attention in a good way.
Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears Also Gets Attention
Williams had a good game against the Raiders, and he’s also getting some props this week, following that Las Vegas win. As it turns out, what happens in a Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas, because the news is getting out.
Williams lands at No. 16 in CBS Sports’ quarterback tally, out Wednesday, October 2, with Cody Benjamin saying, “Like Nix, his 2024 NFL Draft classmate, Williams has been more mercurial than steady so far. His scrappy elusiveness and rocket arm have kept Chicago competitive under first-time coach Ben Johnson, however, and his arrow is still trending up.”