The Chicago Bears (2-2) are finally out of their early bye week and are poised to play in Week 6 in a road showdown versus the Washington Commanders (3-2).
For the third straight year, the Bears head to D.C. for a pivotal inter-conference showdown in a budding rivalry between former top two overall picks in quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. This year, however, carries a little bit of extra weight as the Bears are looking to avenge their season-derailing loss from a year ago against one of the most promising teams in the NFL today.
To earn the win and get above .500 for the first time this season, the Bears must accomplish the following three keys to success:
Protect Caleb Williams in the pocket
After being one of the most sacked players ever as a rookie, Williams and the offensive line have done a much better job of avoiding negative plays in the passing game. Through four games, the Bears are one of just 12 teams to allow less than two sacks per game, including a zero sack outing against the Dallas Cowboys in week three, marking the first time that Williams avoided being taken down behind the line for the first time as a pro. In their two wins before the bye, the Bears allowed just one total sack.
The Bears will have their hands full with Washington, however. The Commanders are one of just six teams that are averaging at least three sacks per game on defense, and they are finding success up front as a unit.
Defensive end Dorance Armstrong leads the way with five sacks, tied for the third-highest mark in the NFL through five games. Veteran Von Miller has also added three sacks, with six other players logging at least one takedown through the early third or so of the year.
With right tackle Darnell Wright set to return to the starting lineup from an elbow injury, the Bears seem to be back to full strength up front, but there will be a shakeup with Theo Benedet slated to make his first career start at left tackle after starting in place of Wright versus the Las Vegas Raiders. Benedet struggled against Maxx Crosby, one of the league's premier players regardless of position. Still, if he can get some help in pass protection from tight ends and running backs in Week 6, he should be able to contribute to a winning way up front.
Get returning defenders into rhythm early
The offensive line is not the only group getting back key players from the training room this week. Defensively, Monday looks to be the first chance to see cornerback Kyler Gordon and linebacker T.J. Edwards take the field this fall, and both players should have the opportunity to make their presence felt almost immediately.
Looking at the secondary, it is a true shame that Gordon and Jaylon Johnson may not share the field this year, but with Nahshon Wright and Tyrique Stevenson playing well on the boundaries, the slot expert known as Kyler-man could have a strong outing in Washington. Both Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown have been ruled out for Monday night's contest, and with Deebo Samuel Jr. questionable with a heel injury, the Commanders may be thin at receiver, leaving Gordon to face off potentially against Luke McCaffrey or Zach Ertz in the slot. If he can follow in the footsteps of his fellow defensive backs and force a takeaway or two, he may prove quickly to be a key part of Dennis Allen's burgeoning defensive scheme.
Edwards should bring some reinforcement and confidence to the middle of the Bears' rush defense (more on that later). Still, as one of the few true veterans on this team who has had success outside of Chicago, he should be a welcome presence for a defense that has struggled through the early part of the season as a whole.
With Tremaine Edmunds having a breakout season already, adding Edwards to the linebacker corps helps round out a defensive front that is slated to be without fellow veteran Grady Jarrett. If Edwards can make his presence felt up front early, it would undoubtedly make life harder for Daniels in his second game back from injury.
Win up front for four quarters
The glaring problem for both the Bears' offense and defense this year has been the run game, and Monday night provides a great opportunity for the team to break away from their recent ways and establish themselves as one of the more physical teams in the NFC.
Offensively, the Bears are averaging just a couple of yards over 100 per game, placing them nearly in the bottom third of the league. Despite serving as the Bears' leading rusher through four games, D'Andre Swift's 46.8 rush yards per game is the 31st highest mark in the league, an average that puts him below several quarterbacks and reserve rushers.
Getting more out of the lead back will be a focus for the Bears against Washington, whose rush defense is in the bottom half of the league with about 117 yards allowed per game. Simply put, to go into D.C. and walk away with a win, the Bears will have to establish the run early and often.
Defensively, the Bears will have to similarly put up a better showing. With 165 rush yards allowed per game, the Bears currently have the second-worst running defense in the league, behind only the Miami Dolphins.
Read more: 4 key stats that defined Bears' last-minute win against Raiders in Week 4
Edwards, who had the second most team tackles last season with 129, should provide some extra juice up the middle, and Gordon's physicality from the secondary should help limit extended runs on the boundary. Still, between the athleticism of Daniels and the emergence of Bill Croskey-Merritt, the Commanders lead the NFL in rush yards per game with 156, so the Bears will have to limit the production of one of the league's premier offensive units.