A much anticipated rematch from last season. The Chicago Bears return from their bye week to face the Washington Commanders. We all know what happened last season, the Hail Mary. It’s time to move past it.
The Bears are seeking revenge against the Commanders this Monday night and look to improve to a 3-2 record. In order to turn this into a three game winning streak, there are some keys to beat a very tough Commanders team.
The biggest weakness regarding the Bears is the defensive line. The defensive line has been unable to stop the run game for yet another year. The Bears’ defensive unit ranks 31st overall in rushing defense, giving up a horrible 164.5 rushing yards per game. They are also ranked 28th in points allowed.
The Commanders have a dominant running game with Jacory Croskey-Merritt and quarterback Jayden Daniels. Washington leads the NFL in rushing yards per game. With a powerhouse running back and a dual threat quarterback, Dennis Allen needs to find a way to take control and stop the run.
A huge key for this Bears defense is they need to prevent Daniels from using his legs. They must keep the quarterback from running, keep him in the pocket.
Having Kyler Gordon and TJ Edwards both back from their injuries will be huge for this defense, particularly in the run game. Montez Sweat and Andrew Billings must come out in full force on Monday night.
Additionally if Austin Booker is good to go, he will be a major boost to this underwhelming run defense. Stopping the run is arguably the biggest key for the Bears.
Offensively, Caleb Williams and the team needs to be aggressive early and throughout the entire game. Ben Johnson confirmed on Saturday that Theo Benedet will be starting at left tackle, replacing the benched Braxton Jones. The offensive line must protect Caleb at all costs on Monday.
If the quarterback can get a good clean pocket and get the ball to his playmakers the Bears should be able to put up points. This game could potentially be a quarterback duel between Williams and Daniels. The offensive must stay aggressive and not turn the ball over in order to win on Monday night.
If Ben Johnson’s offense can get the ground game going with D’Andre Swift, it could open up bigger plays with play action. Getting the run game finally going will be very crucial as well.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!