The difference in the outcome of last night's game -- aside from the Vikings hitting a 59 yard FG and the Bears missing a 50 yarder -- was Caleb Williams missing Cole Kmet mid-range over the middle, and missing a wide open DJ Moore deep on the left side that would have been a TD or 1st & goal. These were not difficult throws, and Williams was not under intense pressure.

I've lived in Chicagoland my whole life, a die-hard Bears fan since the 1970's. I always try to be an optimist, giving players and coaches the benefit of the doubt. Last year I repeatedly defended Caleb Williams in discussions with my wife, who said he'd never be a franchise QB even before he threw his first pass. After Trubisky and Fields her skepticism became cynicism.

Not me. I still hold onto hope that the consensus #1 pick in the 2024 draft will become the quarterback the Bears have been looking for to lead them back to championship form.

But he's not in that form yet. Not with missed throws to open receivers that very well could have changed the outcome of last night's game.

Caleb can hit the receivers down field and run. I wonder if the timing between the QB and receivers are off. Bears need to get their offense moving !

In addition to tremendous physical talent, they have to read defenses and make decisions in split seconds and deliver the ball under intense pressure, often on the run.

Offenses practice like careers and millions of dollars are on the line, because they are. Blocking schemes, route running, and timing between QB & receivers are dissected in minute detail.

Highly skilled, well coached defensive players do everything they can to disrupt offensive plays and routes. Receivers have to adjust to find open windows. The quarterback has to read what's unfolding at high speed, then make a decision to put the ball where the receiver will be.

Not easy at all, BUT ... champion quarterbacks do it consistently and come through in the clutch when the game is on the line.

Caleb Williams failed to do that on a couple of key throws when the Bears really needed to score. That doesn't mean he won't succeed next time and win games when those opportunities arise, but until he does that consistently, Bears fans and sports writers will justifiably continue to have doubts.

A lot of excitement leading up to this season, and then they show how far they still are.

For the first half, it appeared the Bears would defeat the Vikings. The defense was hot. Then the Vikings woke up. The last Bears' score was in part due to sloppy defense of the Vikings and penalties.

All in all, a game that was well fought.

My Vikings are still waiting.....

And I was living in Chicago through all the Michael Jordan years. I was lucky.

But my point was 39 with the Bears winning.

It was looking hopeful for a while.

Anyways, Go Packers!

Here are a few thoughts to get you through the next month.

One, this offensive line hasn't played together, and it shows. A few more games and they should start to gel, and that will make a difference.

Two, they were missing three starters on defense. Assuming they come back at some point, and assuming guys learn their roles in the new system, things should improve on that side of the ball.

Three, even though it is his second year, this is the first year Caleb Williams is being coached in a way which should make him get better. Shane Waldron was a disaster last year. He's not a rookie, but effectively, he kinda is a rookie. He will get better. Will he turn into the QB the Bears are hoping for, the QB they intended to get when they drafted him #1 overall? Who can say. But he will get better than he is right now. He has to.

Four, the best coach in the NFL who has yet to win a playoff game is Kevin O'Connell. Ben Johnson made some dumb moves in his first game as a head coach, and he's a really smart guy; he'll learn from them, because that is what smart guys do. They got outcoached last week, and they might get outcoached next week. It won't go on forever.

Fifth, the depleted running back room left very few men available. Guys will return.

Last, when Dan Campbell took over the Lions (and installed Johnson as offensive coordinator), they started poorly. They were 1-7, and then they started winning almost every game. It takes time.

I'm reasonably confident they will be better than 5-12 this season. Probably about 8-9 or 9-8, and considering the division they're in, that isn't horrible. We knew they weren't done. We knew the pass rush needed more talent. We knew the offensive line lacked depth, and there is no good answer at left tackle. Give them a few weeks.