The Chicago Bears take a step up in competition this week when they travel to play the Washington Commanders (5-2) at Northwest Stadium.
As kickoff approaches for quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears (4-2), here’s our snapshot look at the game.
Players in the spotlight
Jayden Daniels or Marcus Mariota
Daniels, the Commanders rookie quarterback, will be a game-time decision after he injured his ribs in the first quarter of a Week 7 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the draft behind Williams, sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday as he recovered, but he returned Friday. Coach Dan Quinn said Daniels “really pushed it” in the practice, and the team will assess how Daniels responds in the 48 hours before the game to decide if he can play.
“I want to play, but it’s not my decision,” Daniels told reporters Friday. “I feel good. Been in treatment, all that, trying to get back right to give myself a chance to go out there and be confident and play. … I’ve got 48 hours to see how I feel, and we’ll just go from there.”
If Daniels can’t play, the Commanders will turn to 10th-year NFL veteran Marcus Mariota, who threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus and defensive coordinator Eric Washington said they expect a consistent offense no matter if Daniels or Mariota plays since they have a similar style. But the Bears will be concerned with a slightly different skill set if Mariota plays over Daniels, who has completed 75.6% of his passes for 1,410 yards and six touchdowns.
“Same play style, same QB style, dual-threat, extending plays with their legs, get on the perimeter, make good throws,” Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. “But just Daniels is young, more dynamic, whereas Mariota has seen more, been around a little longer, more experienced. So that’s the biggest difference.”
Either quarterback will have the benefit of a strong supporting cast led by wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who has 35 catches for 454 yards and four touchdowns.
“I’m looking forward to whooping (butt) either way,” Johnson said of the QB uncertainty. “It doesn’t really change too much for me. For us in the defense, we just want to go out there and win and dominate. That’s our mindset regardless of who the quarterback is.”
Pressing question
Can Caleb Williams help to keep both DJ Moore and Keenan Allen unlocked?
In Week 5 at Soldier Field, Williams and Moore connected five times for 105 yards and two touchdowns, much-needed production as the duo continues to build rapport. Last time out, it was Allen on the receiving end of a pair of beautiful Williams TD tosses. And make no mistake, even in his 12th season and with more than 10,000 career receiving yards, the 32-year-old admits he needed that big game.
“It was big,” Allen said. “Just to show that I’m still me. I can still make these plays. I’m on a different team but I can still be the guy that I was. … And for about five games there it was like, ‘When’s this guy going to come along and play too?’ ”
Allen, who was battling plantar fasciitis from the end of August into early October, can be a real weapon in this offense when fully healthy. And if he and Moore can continue producing, the offense will become only more dynamic, creating additional opportunities for players such as D’Andre Swift, Cole Kmet and Rome Odunze to shine too.
On Sunday, Williams and the Bears will look to attack a middle-tier Commanders passing defense. And, yes, it’s worth noting that on the team’s trip to Washington last season, Moore exploded for 230 yards and three touchdowns.
“Yeah,” Moore said Wednesday, “I think about that. That 230 don’t go out your mind when you’re playing a team from last year.”
Keep an eye on …
The Commanders run game
They rank third in the NFL with 165.4 rushing yards per game and 5.19 rushing yards per play.
Daniels has been a big part of that, totaling 66 carries for 372 yards and two touchdowns. But the Commanders also have three running backs with more than 150 rushing yards. Brian Robinson Jr. leads with 85 carries for 396 yards and six touchdowns, followed by Austin Ekeler (32 carries, 188 yards) and Jeremy McNichols (25 carries, 164 yards).
It’s a tough group for the Bears, whose run defense has been one of their weaker points. Washington called Robinson “very physical.”
“He’s a downhill player, he protects the football and he’s a tough out,” Washington said. “Very, very tough, leans forward. He’s going to hit the hole with authority, and he’s going to challenge your ability to tackle him.”
Washington said the Commanders under offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury have “a broad menu of run concepts” to make it difficult for defenders.
“There are a lot of counter schemes,” Washington said. “A lot of offensive linemen pulling one way with the option of handing the football off and the quarterback keeping the football, some of those things. And then they have the traditional core run plays. Some of the gap schemes and attacking the bubble side of your defensive front. …
“So we have to make sure when the dust is settled we trust our keys, we are where we’re supposed to be relative to the call and we execute.”
’20-20′ vision
Over the offseason, the Bears defense set its sights on a “20-20” target in the takeaway department, aiming to record 20 interceptions and 20 fumble recoveries this season. That’s an incredibly lofty aim. But through six games, Matt Eberflus’ defense already has come up with seven picks and six fumbles.
The challenge for the Bears will be heightened Sunday against a Commanders offense that has excelled with its ball security. Washington ranks second in the NFL in giveaways with three and has been turnover-free in five of its seven games.
In London, linebacker T.J. Edwards’ forced fumble on Jaguars tight end Evan Engram was textbook execution of the ol’ “Peanut Punch,” a right fist to the football on the first play after halftime. Safety Elijah Hicks recovered. And the Bears offense turned the takeaway into a touchdown and a 21-3 lead.
“With T.J. that was just a great example of effort and then having a plan when you get there,” Bears linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi said. “That was a huge momentum play.”
Borgonzi has been pleased but not surprised with the defense’s turnover production, feeling like the Bears constant emphasis on takeaways is paying off. In the linebackers room, for example, a picture of Charles Tillman delivering the “Peanut Punch” is prominently displayed. And any linebacker who records a takeaway gets their picture hung in the room.
“Sometimes as a team, you’ll talk about it a lot early in the year and then it just sort of fades away,” Borgonzi said. “I think we really do a good job of constantly reinforcing it so it’s always on our guys’ minds.”
Injury report
The Bears will be without safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion) and nickel Kyler Gordon (hamstring), who both missed the entire week of practice. They’ll rely on safety Elijah Hicks and nickel Josh Blackwell to fill in.
Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson will return from a calf injury, and backup cornerback Terell Smith is also back after battling a hip injury. Long snapper Scott Daly (knee) and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin) are also good to go.
The Bears listed three players on injured reserve as questionable: offensive tackle Larry Borom, running back Travis Homer and defensive end Jacob Martin. The team is set to waive running back/returner Velus Jones Jr. on Saturday and on Friday released fullback Khari Blasingame, clearing roster space to potentially activate two players from IR this weekend.
For the Commanders, offensive tackle Brandon Coleman is out. Daniels and defensive end Dorance Armstrong (ribs) are listed as questionable.
Predictions
Brad Biggs (5-1)
A new era in Washington is off to a prosperous start as GM Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn have made a series of smart moves with a roster that still needs a lot of upgrades. The Commanders need help on the defensive line, and the secondary is a little suspect. They’ve played pretty well against a handful of bad quarterbacks. The Bears defense will be the best unit on the field Sunday, and that should be enough for a fourth straight victory whether it’s Jayden Daniels or Marcus Mariota at quarterback for the Commanders.
Bears 27, Commanders 20
Colleen Kane (5-1)
Even if quarterback Jayden Daniels doesn’t play, this Commanders team looks like as big of a challenge as the Bears have faced this season, with a run game that could test the defense. But with Daniels’ health disrupting his practice schedule this week and putting into question his game status, the Bears have an opening to come out with their biggest win yet. Caleb Williams will have to pick up his growth where he left off before the bye week — and stay composed in a road environment, somewhere the Bears have not thrived under coach Matt Eberflus. But Williams should have his shot at impressing his hometown crowd once again.
Bears 27, Commanders 24
Dan Wiederer (4-2)
As a card-carrying member of the see-it-to-believe-it group, I’m bucking personal convention here and taking an uncharacteristic leap of faith. Yes, the Bears are 3-16 on the road in three seasons under coach Matt Eberflus and winless in two road tests this year with rookie Caleb Williams at quarterback. But there’s something about this group’s collective focus that feels trustworthy. There’s a mojo building inside Halas Hall for a hungry and ascending team that’s showing its ability to handle its business. Sunday offers a winnable game, and the Bears will win it.
Bears 26, Commanders 20
