3 areas of focus for the Chicago Bears in Week 8 against the Commanders

The Chicago Bears' game against the Washington Commanders in Week 8 feels like a game that will determine the Bears' viability as a contender in the NFC.

If the Bears are going to extend their current winning streak to four games, there are three areas that will be critical to success.

3. The Chicago Bears should follow Terry McLaurin with Jaylon Johnson

If the Bears want to win on Sunday, their best bet is to put Jaylon Johnson on Terry McLaurin. This is just not something that Matt Eberflus typically does, and it is not something that Johnson is used to. However, every once in a while he was asked to shadow players, and they should call on that Sunday. 

The Commanders have one of the biggest gaps from their top wideout t to their second wideout in the NFL. McLaurin has 454 yards, while Noah Brown has 185. Meanwhile, Tyrique Stevenson has been targeted 35 times and allowed 235 yards. Johnson has only been targeted 19 times and allowed 113 yards. 

Teams do not look at Johnson and pick on Stevenson. If McLaurin is on Stevenson, you can bet that whoever the quarterback is is looking there first. If Johnson follows McLaurin, the Commanders will have to beat the Bears with Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus. 

This change makes so much sense that is has to happen. They need a big game from Johnson. 

2. The Chicago Bears pass rush should win against the Commanders tackles

The Commanders' offensive tackles have been fine this season, but it looks like they have been aided by the combination of teams that they have faced and their quarterback play. The reality is that both will be tougher on Sunday. If Jayden Daniels plays, he may not be completely healthy. If Mariota plays, he brings a similar scrambling ability, so the playbook is similar. However, the task of creating pressure and sacks may have gotten easier. 

More than that, the Bears are the team with the highest pressure rate that Washington has faced this season. DeMarcus Walker is having a career year, and Montez Sweat is still as good as always.

Meanwhile, the Commanders are still rotating their left tackle, with the hopes that rookie Brandon Coleman can replace Cornelius Lucas at some point. Yes, the same Lucas that once was a backup for the Bears a long time ago. It is not like we are not talking about a big-name tackle. On the right side, Andrew Wylie is having a stronger year than typical for him, which may be due to the factors mentioned. 

Sweat and Walker are not just good because they get pressure, it is the way that they do. They set the edge with power and should be able to keep the quarterback in the pocket. If that is the case, the Bears will win. 

1. It is time for Rome Odunze to have a breakout game 

It feels like a big Rome Odunze game is coming. Odunze had 110 yards in week three, but every other week has been under 50 yards receiving. It is time for the Bears to establish who their number two receiver and it is time for Odunze to take it.

The Commanders' secondary has issues. Emmanuel Forbes was picked on last year, benched this year, and thrown back into the lineup. He is small and can be overpowered by a bigger wideout such as Odunze.

Benjamin St-Juste has size but does not have the speed to compete with Odunze down the field. Mike Sanistrill is a fellow rookie who went much later than Odunze. These are the Commanders' top three cornerbacks. 

Caleb Williams is playing his best football. They just had a bye week, which should give Odunze time to asses his play and improve his chemistry with the other talented rookie. If Oduzne does not come out of the bye week with a strong performance there are going to become more questions for the top ten pick.