The Chicago skies were falling on top of Halas Hall last week, following consecutive losses from winnable games. The offense was under scrutiny after struggling to score or establish the run, with so much placed on the plate of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.

Sunday’s 24-18 victory over the L.A. Rams seemed to have alleviated some pressure. It wasn’t just the W. It was the way it was won. The offense was almost perfectly balanced between run and pass. Shane Waldron adjusted well to what didn’t work last week. And, as important as anything, the Bears received contributions from all three phases in a true team win.

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That has led to some overreactions in the other direction, so we’ll course correct in the interest if proper perspective. Let’s get started in an unusual place, by talking about the punter:

After four games, we already know that Tory Taylor is a game changer

Overreaction?: Nope

The Bears rookie punter made a major impact in Sunday’s victory, with two excellent fourth-quarter punts that pinned the Rams way, way back. His best was a 66-yard volley with tons of spin, which hit and, as designed, veered sharp right and out of bounds at the Rams 8-yard line with roughly four minutes left.

“I haven’t been that pumped up for a punt in a long time,” cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. “He’s definitely special, giving us some punt and pins, giving them some bad field position. That helps us go out there and hunt.”

The defense got a stop, but the offense couldn’t quite run out the clock. That the Bears to call on Taylor again, and the rookie dropped another punt inside the 10.

As head coach Matt Eberflus mentioned after the game that Taylor “had a few sand wedges in his bag,” which is true. I’ve been him put some crazy, yet effective spin on punts in practice that would make fan jaws drop.

That’s why you use a draft pick on a punter, to have an impact like he did against the Rams.

Shane Waldron has it all figured out

Overreaction?: Yep.

The Bears offense had a good day at the office. They were balanced and effective moving the ball through the air and on the ground. They made smart adjustments and were effective in areas of deficiency the last couple weeks.

Run blocking worked. They weren’t afraid to go heavy around the goal line. They remained committed to D’Andre Swift yet found ways for Roschon Johnson to be impactful.

Caleb Williams didn’t turn the ball over and found production using more check downs over low percentage deep shots on the run.

All those things are good. They don’t forecast the future. We’ll need to see performances like this on repeat, against better competition. We’ll also need to see how the Bears react to adversity, when a defense sells out to stop an offensive strength? Can they trouble shoot and find different ways to win?

That’s a sign of a good coordinator and a versatile offense the Bears believe they have. We’re not quite so sure. Not just yet.

DJ Moore and Caleb Williams are not on the same page

Overreaction?: Yes

I know fans were bewildered by the big miss between Caleb Williams and DJ Moore down the right sideline that would’ve secured a touchdown late in the first half.

That led fans to point to a larger efficiency issue, with Moore only securing 22 receptions on 34 targets for 8.6 yards per reception, which is significantly lower than his career 14.0 ypr.

That speaks to a few things: 1. Moore is Williams’ most frequent target, someone he looks to in bail-me-out situations where incompletions are infrequent. 2. Williams is also willing to take deep shots, often unsuccessfully at this point in his career.

The offense hasn’t been efficient overall, Keenan Allen missed two games and Cole Kmet and Rome Odunze have only recently emerged, leaving coverage focus to home on Moore.

While numbers are down, the second-half touchdown pass to Moore was near perfect, with Williams recognizing Moore being covered by a linebacker, him looking off a safety and then threading a well-timed fastball to him in the end zone.

Bair Mail is coming every Wednesday all year long, maybe more if the questions demand it. The easiest way to get involved: email us as mailbag@marqueesportsnetwork.com.