The Chicago Bears have historically been a get-right game for many struggling defenses, but the three-headed monster of Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, and Kyle Monangai was too much for the Cincinnati Bengals to handle. For the second week in a row, Cincinnati was pathetic on defense.
One week removed from giving up 39 points at home to Justin Fields and the previously winless New York Jets, Cincinnati gave up 47 points to Williams and a Bears team that was without starting running back D'Andre Swift and was shuffling between multiple offensive linemen.
While the Bears may be celebrating, Bengals may end up thanking Chicago for this effort in the long run. This loss may bring Cincinnati closer to firing one coach whom the fanbase was confused by when he was hired and has since grown to loathe.
Williams' career day and the 47-point output might be what finally forces the Bengals to fire defensive coordinator Al Golden. Even though he is halfway into his first season with the team, the Bears beat him so thoroughly that they may need to start over entirely.
Bears' offensive explosion vs. Bengals may get Al Golden fired
Williams finished 20-34 for 283 yards and a trio of touchdowns, and Johnson was creative enough to get Williams two catches and a score as a receiver. The defense's biggest problem, however, was allowing a seventh-round rookie in Monangai to tally just shy of 200 yards from scrimmage. Rookie TE Colston Loveland caught six passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Chicago's detonation of the Bengals' defense might be the final straw for Golden in Cincinnati. While he is dealing with a lack of defensive talent, especially among the non-Trey Hendrickson members of the defensive line, giving up 86 points in 2 straight home games.
The Bengals came into this game ranked last in rushing yards allowed, 30th in passing yards, and last in total defense. After Chicago accounted for a mind-boggling 576 yards of total offense with a nearly equal split in rushing vs. passing yards, this was a fireable performance from Golden.
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Williams and the Bears weren't even a dominant offensive team, as Caleb missed some throws early and invited pressure by holding onto the ball. Despite all of this, and his own defense and special teams almost choking the game away, Williams and Ben Johnson made such beautiful music that might change the future of Zac Taylor's coaching staff in Cincinnati.