Bears News: DJ Moore on his "revenge game", Odunze talks offense's confidence |
CHICAGO - Wide receiver DJ Moore came into Chicago’s game against the Carolina Panthers, saying it was another game. But the numbers say otherwise. Moore had 105 receiving yards and two touchdowns bringing his total to three touchdowns on the year.
There was one ball that Moore dropped, but besides that, he played an exceptional game. “I had some pretty good stats, but it could have been even better if I didn’t drop that ball. I think I was getting ahead of myself first of all; that’s why I dropped it,” Moore said. “It was just another game, but it’s the Panthers. So, you can add whatever you want onto it, a revenge game, anything like that. But it was really just a special game today to get us all going on offense … We’re having a lot of fun doing it. So, with fun comes a lot of wins, and with a lot of wins comes a lot of fun.” Moore may have been the leading receiver in this game, but rookie quarterback Caleb Williams made an effort to get other playmakers involved. Tight end Cole Kmet had 57 yards; running back D’Andre Swift had 47 receiving yards in addition to his 73 yards on the ground. Receivers Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze were both targeted six times. Odunze finished with five catches for 40 yards. “(To) have the success that we did today just builds confidence and chemistry throughout the whole unit. So, stuff that we’re going to look to lean on and continue going forward,” Odunze said. “You can see the progression each and every game. So, to finally have kind of a breakthrough where a lot of things were hitting was a good feeling. But, again, there are things that we need to improve on going forward and to have a whole 17-game season. That is the way we wanted to look.” As a rookie in a deep receiver room, Odunze has a lot of people to learn from. He also had a breakout game against the Indianapolis Colts, with six receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown. So, his chemistry with Williams has also shown up, although Williams has grown a lot since that game. Against Carolina, Odunze believes the Heisman winner’s performance was just a glimpse of his capabilities. “He was moving around crazy … I was scrambling. I was like, ‘I don’t know where to go.’ I’m like playing basketball trying to get to the rim with the defenders. So, he had a lot of time and made people miss back there. He’s special in that way. So, part of his game and part of the adjustments we have to make,” Odunze said. “I think that’s a glimpse for sure. I wouldn’t put any limit on his capabilities and what this offense is capable of doing. So, it definitely (looked) solid out there today and was moving the ball. But, I think there’s more in store.” Chicago will look to extend their winning streak when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sun. Oct. 13 (8:30 a.m. / NFL Network). Getting to 4-2 would be critical for the Bears to keep pace in the NFC North, as everyone in the division has a winning record, the only division where this is the case.
