The Chicago Bears' Week 4 win over the New York Jets was a nice start to Tyson Bagent's run as the starting quarterback with Caleb Williams out, but there are some moments he would like to have back in the game.
Bagent is responsible for the Jets' first interception since Aaron Glenn took over as head coach last year. In that game, though, Bagent also had four other interceptions that were nullified by the Jets' penalties and could have made things 10 times worse for Chicago. Bagent finished the game completing 25 of 34 passes for 268 yards and one interception, while also running for one yard on four carries.
With the Green Bay Packers next on the schedule, emotions will run high; it's a rivalry game, and the Bears want to win. That might make Bagent more aggressive with the football, but that would be a mistake against this Packers defense.
Tyson Bagent can't play around with Packers' pass defense in Week 5 for the Bears
Green Bay certainly has its problems right now. The Packers have no run game, an inconsistent passing attack, a weak pass rush, and multiple key defensive injuries. The team is on the verge of a total collapse that could lead to a rebuild.
That said, they have a much better pass defense than anyone could have imagined. Overall, the Packers rank fourth in pass defense, allowing 185 yards per game.
Looking at the numbers more closely, they tie for second in the NFL in turnovers created, with four. They have had 13 pass deflections, including four from safety Evan Williams and three from Keisean Nixon. Williams has played at an elite level this season, earning the fourth-highest Pro Football Focus grade among NFL safeties at 82.4 after allowing just a passer rating of 64.6.
This will only challenge Bagent more as a quarterback and help ensure he makes the right decisions as a passer. Too often in the Jets game, he was aggressive, which led to too many mistakes. Thankfully, New York was making even more mistakes with their penalties.
Green Bay's secondary is an opportunistic unit that will make things tough for Bagent. It will force him to rethink his game and push the ball downfield more often. Williams is a great center fielder in the secondary who can break up passes in pass coverage or force an interception.
If Bagent wants to play this game smart, he will make sure he wins the short-yardage game. Make sure the Packers' depleted linebackers are covering Colston Loveland or Cole Kmet so he can hit them. If Williams is tasked with covering the tight ends, avoid them.
This could be a big game for Kalif Raymond, who was held in check in Week 4 after leading the Bears in receiving through the first three weeks. Raymond in the slot could create big plays himself with easy five- to eight-yard completions.
For Bagent, it's as simple as just handing the ball off to D'Andre Swift and possibly Kyle Monangai (if he is healthy enough to play). Chicago has an elite rushing attack that can take advantage of the Packers' bad front seven.
Read more: Kyle Monangai's injury might put Roschon Johnson front & center in Bears-Packers game
No matter how tough things are for the Packers, this will still be a challenging game. Bagent doesn't need to be Superman. Get the short completions and hand the ball off to beat the Packers. That's it.
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