LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Chicago Bears encountered significant challenges in the red zone during their 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on October 29, 2023. This defeat marked the end of a four-game winning streak and highlighted a recurring issue for the team, particularly in critical scoring situations.
In the first quarter, the Bears showcased offensive potential, controlling the clock and executing a total of 22 plays, which yielded nine first downs. Their initial foray into the red zone, however, resulted in only a field goal. Despite a promising start fueled by Rome Odunze‘s three receptions and effective runs from D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, the offense faltered in crucial moments. Following a false start penalty by tight end Colston Loveland at the 8-yard line, the Bears struggled to maintain momentum.
Three plays later, Monangai was tackled for a loss, and a subsequent sack of quarterback Caleb Williams forced the team to settle for a field goal after a 64-yard drive. This pattern of inefficiency continued to plague the Bears, as offensive coordinator Declan Doyle noted, “The red zone struggles have been on all of us.” He emphasized the need for better execution on key plays to convert opportunities into touchdowns.
Historically, the Bears had been successful in the red zone earlier in the season, scoring touchdowns on six of seven attempts in their first three games, translating to an impressive 85.7% success rate. However, since their victory against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 28, the Bears have seen a dramatic decline, now holding the second-lowest red zone touchdown percentage at 35.7%. They average just 3.9 points per red zone drive, the lowest in the league, according to ESPN Research.
Williams has not thrown a touchdown pass in the red zone since Week 4, placing him in a challenging position compared to other quarterbacks. His early-season efficiency, characterized by a perfect 100.0 Quarterback Rating (QBR) and four touchdowns without interceptions, has sharply declined. In recent games, his red zone QBR has plummeted to 5.1, with only eight completions out of 17 attempts.
The Bears managed to secure their only red zone touchdown late in the game when Swift rushed for a 2-yard score, narrowing the Ravens’ lead to 16-13. However, a critical interception by Williams later allowed Baltimore to extend their lead. The Bears’ final drive, which reached the Ravens’ 3-yard line, ended in frustration as they failed to convert on three attempts, including a missed opportunity when Williams overlooked a wide-open DJ Moore in the end zone.
Coach Ben Johnson commented on the situation, indicating that there were opportunities for both players to adjust: “For that particular play, [Moore] does have the ability to shut it down in an open window… Do I wish he would have stayed on the move? Sure.”
As the Bears prepare to face the Cincinnati Bengals—ranked 30th in red zone defense—there is a heightened urgency to improve their scoring efficiency. Williams identified several areas for his own growth, including the need to utilize his mobility, process reads more quickly, and avoid being sacked within the red zone.
“It’s not all on me,” Williams stated. “It comes down to details in both the run and pass game.” He emphasized the importance of executing plays effectively, particularly when facing defensive pressure.
In addition to their offensive struggles, penalties have compounded the Bears’ issues. They recorded 11 penalties against the Ravens, averaging two false starts per game. Doyle mentioned the use of “unorthodox” tactics in practice to address these pre-snap mistakes, though he refrained from detailing specific strategies.
Through seven games, the Bears have reached the red zone 23 times on 76 total drives, with ten of those drives marred by offensive penalties. Only three of their 11 red zone touchdowns have come without a penalty being involved, illustrating a significant hurdle for the team moving forward.
Right tackle Darnell Wright acknowledged the need for focus during critical moments, stating, “We have them at terrible times… That’s when you’re most amped up to do your job.”
As the Bears regroup ahead of their matchup with the Bengals, addressing red zone efficiency and minimizing penalties will be essential for reclaiming their momentum and achieving success in future games.
