Healthier Bears Feeling Benefits from Bengals Preseason Game

CALEB WILLIAMS A NATURAL AS A RARE ROOKIE CAPTAIN

HOW MUCH BEARS HAVE LEFT UNDER THE CAP AND WHERE IT WAS SPENT

BEARS SECONDARY PROMISES TO BE READY DESPITE INJURY ISSUES IN CAMP

BEARS RANK AMONG YOUNGEST TEAM AFTER ROSTER CUTDOWNS

"It's not a defense you see a lot—not as much as a normal four-down defense. But just getting your mind back into that mode of three (linemen) on defense is good. It was definitely some good work for us."

It isn't just the tactics, Wright maintained.

"The main thing that stands out is they play hard and I think they're well-coached," Wright said. "It's gonna be a good challenge for us. I'm happy that we have them first game just by how hard they play because I know how hard we play.

"It's gonna be fun matching their intensity and then they're matching us as well. It's gonna be good, competitive. It's always fun when it’s a competitive."

The Bears were nearly back at full strength for the game. They had wide receiver Keenan Allen and safety Kevin Byard, a former Titans player, both practicing, at least on a limited basis after missing work last week. The only player who was still in comeback mode was defensive tackle Zacch Pickens. He's still rehabbing a soft tissue injury.

Eberflus sees them as ready to start live hitting against the opponent's best players and bases it on how they've practiced.

"I would say the competition that we've had up to this point, during training camp—you can feel that. That's real, going against each other. Our players, offensive players going against defensive players, that competition is real and the guys did a real good job of competing and really sharpening each other during that time.

"Like I said, we're excited ab out this competition coming up."

Twitter: BearsOnMaven