Football

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.