Breaking Out of Slump, Keenan Allen Finds His Groove
After a frustrating start to the season, Keenan Allen finally found his rhythm on Sunday, catching all five of his targets, including two for touchdowns, to help the Chicago Bears secure their third straight win, 35-16, over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
A Season of High Expectations
Coming off one of his best seasons, where he racked up 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns, Allen was poised for another big year, especially with the arrival of No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. The two had worked out together predraft to develop chemistry, giving Allen hope for a strong performance as he played out the last year of his contract.
Injury and Frustration
However, things didn’t go as planned. Allen missed two of the first three games with a heel injury and struggled to make an impact when he did take the field. His highest yardage in a game was a mere 33 in a Week 5 rout of the Carolina Panthers.
Sunday’s Breakthrough
But Sunday’s game marked a turning point for Allen. He caught all five of his targets, including two touchdowns, thanks in part to his developing chemistry with Williams. “I didn’t think I was going to be targeted a lot,” Allen said with a laugh. “Going through the week, it was still frustrating, obviously, because things happen. Plays don’t play out like they do.”
The Chemistry Factor
Allen’s first touchdown was a testament to his connection with Williams. On third-and-goal from the Jaguars’ 9, Allen ran a post route over the middle, and Williams identified the two-high look, realizing Allen would be one-on-one with linebacker Devin Lloyd. The result was a perfectly placed ball that Allen secured for the touchdown.
A Newfound Confidence
The targets had been there for Allen, but he was looking for production. With Sunday’s game, he finally got it. “Obviously, we want to get Keenan involved more. It’s a goal of ours,” said offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The game marked a shift in momentum for Allen, who is now looking to build on his performance as the Bears head into their Week 7 bye.
Looking Ahead
With the Bears set to face the Washington Commanders, who are yielding a quarterback passer rating of 114.7, Allen is poised for another strong outing. “It was big, big time,” Allen said. “When you take a little break from football, and you come back, you’ve got to get into the groove of things sometimes. Just keep playing, try not to get frustrated, and stay ready.”
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