Bears quarterback Caleb Williams wants the team to score points every time they have the ball and they came close to doing that against the Panthers in Week 1.
Things could be a bit tougher this week. The Bears will be hosting the Vikings and their defensive coordinator Brian Flores can make things very difficult on opposing quarterbacks. Flores can deploy a heavy load of blitzes â he sent extra rushers nearly 80 percent of the time in last SundayâÂÂs win over Green Bay â or he can show pressure only to dial it back at the snap in an effort to confuse quarterbacks.
Williams has had mixed success against the Vikings in the past and called preparing to face a Flores-led defense a âÂÂbig challengeâ in his Wednesday press conference.
âÂÂItâÂÂs a game-plan defense. HeâÂÂs gonna game plan from first snap to last snap,â Williams said. âÂÂCoach calls this âÂÂmental warâ when you go against versus him. ThatâÂÂs what it is. YouâÂÂve got to be able to go out there bad things are going to happen, bad things are gonna happen. YouâÂÂve got to be able to fight back and stay steady. ThatâÂÂs one of the biggest things is not allowing his defense and all of that to fluster you and get in your mind. ThatâÂÂs one of the first. You stay steady and now itâÂÂs time to go make plays and get completions and when the big ones show up, take them and find them.âÂÂ
Solving whatever Flores throws his way this weekend will be crucial to the Bearsâ chances of winning the game and it would show WilliamsâÂÂs continued development as a quarterback who can find ways to succeed in every situation that comes his way. The latter victory wouldnâÂÂt count in the standings immediately, but it would have a positive impact on that front over the long run.