Coming off an emotional Week 16 overtime win over the Green Bay Packers, the Chicago Bears have an even tougher matchup in Week 17 as they face off against the San Francisco 49ers.
This has the makings of a truly heavyweight fight between Chicago's top five offense and the 49ers' defense. Bears head coach Ben Johnson was very complimentary of 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and his unit, and he knows there's a big challenge for Chicago.
"It starts with play style with them. And it’s been that way ever since he’s been coaching. I think I went against the Jets one time when he was there. It was a trademark of that defense, it’s a trademark of San Francisco’s defense now. These guys go all out every single snap. They try to get as many defenders in the frame at the end of the play that you possibly can.
"So, I think that right there, when you go against a play style like that, that’s a challenge in and of itself, because they could potentially out-effort you if you allow them to do that. That’s a huge point of emphasis for us here this week."
Bears' offense is ready for the 49ers' defense
Chicago enters the game as the fourth-ranked offense in the NFL, averaging 371.1 yards per game. The strength of the Bears is in the running game, as they are second in the league in rushing yards per game with 152.1.
That is the strength of the San Francisco defense, as they are in the top 10 in rush defense, allowing 102.9 yards per game. Where the Bears will have the advantage over Saleh's unit is in the passing game, as the 49ers are allowing 229.3 passing yards per game, ranking 24th in the NFL.
This game could come down to Bears quarterback Caleb Williams slinging the ball around. Even with the news of Rome Odunze being out for the Week 17 showdown, Williams will get back rookie Luther Burden III. He will have plenty of other options in the passing game, including Colston Loveland, DJ Moore, Olamide Zaccheaus, Cole Kmet, and undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker.
Read more: Ben Johnson got brutally honest about his relationship with Caleb Williams
Chicago enters this game as the underdogs, with not many believing they can go across the country late in the season and win a game. The Bears have a chance to prove everyone wrong as it will be a chess match between Johnson and Saleh in primetime.