4 matchups to watch as the Chicago Bears take on the Washington Commanders in Week 5
Justin Fields vs. Sam Howell
It's easy to boil any football game down to which quarterback plays better, but in looking at the matchup between Justin Fields and Sam Howell, one thing stands out: turnovers.
For as well as Fields played against the Broncos, he still had two back-breaking turnovers. The first was the aforementioned fumble that led to a Broncos scoop and score to tie the game, and the second was an interception on the Bears' final drive that effectively ended any hope of a game-tying field goal.
Howell was fantastic in leading the Commanders back against the Eagles last week, but in his previous game, he was intercepted four times by the Bills. He's also fumbled twice this year, compared to three for Fields.
Which defense can force more mistakes from these young quarterbacks? The Bears are -6 in turnover margin in their first four games, but Washington is also in the red at -4. With the Bears defense still undermanned, Matt Eberflus will need to draw up something to force Howell into mistakes, while Jack Del Rio will try to get to Fields with Chase Young and others.
Both Howell and Fields are coming off their best games of the season, and whichever quarterback can continue to build on that will probably come out on top.