Chicago Bears undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent will attempt to earn his second win in as many begins Sunday, however this one shall be on a much bigger stage than his first.
The Bears, winners of two of their final three video games, tackle the Los Angeles Chargers on “Sunday Night Football” at SoFi Stadium. As kickoff approaches, right here’s our snapshot take a look at the sport.
Player within the highlight
Tyson Bagent
For the second straight week, the undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd takes the reins instead of quarterback Justin Fields, who’s out with a proper thumb damage.
And this time, Bagent goes towards the worst-ranked passing protection within the league.
The Chargers have allowed 310 passing yards per sport and eight.1 passing yards per play, although it must be famous that their slate of six opponents to this point has included three of the perfect passing offenses within the league within the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings.
Still, a serious matter throughout the week was whether or not the Bears can get extra massive performs from Bagent, who accomplished 21 of 29 passes for 162 yards, a landing, no interceptions and a 97.2 passer score in his debut begin.
Getsy praised Bagent’s poise, his skill to run a clear operation and his administration of the run sport in his first begin. But he was requested about getting the vertical passing sport going towards this protection.
“The Chiefs do that to pretty much everybody,” offensive coordinator Luke Getsy mentioned of explosive performs. “You’ve got to take that out of the picture there. On top of it, you have one of the best pass rushes in the National Football League. You have to take all of that into account as far as where our best matchups (are). Where do we have the best opportunity to go find success?”
Bagent mentioned he shall be assured in regardless of the Bears ask him to do.
“I think I have a strong arm,” he mentioned. “I’m confident to make any play that’s called.”
Pressing query
Can the Bears protection show it’s for actual?
The Bears protection has made clear progress over the past three video games.
The Bears didn’t permit greater than 50 speeding yards in any of the video games towards the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders. They’ve totaled six takeaways in a three-week span. And they’ve given up 44 whole factors to the three opposing offenses.
However, two of these groups had main absences. The Vikings had been enjoying with out vast receiver Justin Jefferson and the Raiders had been enjoying with out quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
If the Bears protection needs to show it may possibly carry out towards higher offenses, the Chargers and quarterback Justin Herbert are an excellent take a look at. Herbert has accomplished 67% of his passes for 1,592 yards, 10 touchdowns, 4 interceptions and a 97.1 passer score. The Chargers offense ranks eighth with 364.2 yards per sport.
Herbert threw for a season-high 405 yards towards the Vikings in Week 3, however his manufacturing has been down the final three video games since fracturing his center finger on his left, non-throwing hand, with no passer score higher than 84.
Still, the Bears know he’s a serious problem.
“He’s got one of the strongest arms in the league,” linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi mentioned. “He can make all the throws, in cuts, balls on the sideline. He can make every throw there is. And also, he’s athletic. … He scrambles really effectively and he’s accurate.”
Keep a watch on …
Khalil Mack
The Bears face their outdated buddy for the primary time since basic supervisor Ryan Poles traded him to the Chargers within the 2022 offseason.
Mack leads the Chargers with seven sacks this season, however six of them got here in an Oct. 1 victory over the Raiders. He additionally had two pressured fumbles that sport.
Bears security Eddie Jackson, who has remained shut with Mack since he left the Bears, thinks the sting rusher goes to be equipped for this sport, particularly given how he performed towards his former Raiders staff.
“He’s ready, man,” Jackson mentioned. “I don’t know if Mack is circling no games on the schedule, but I think Oakland Raiders and here … I don’t want to speak for him, but I think it’s going to be a little personal.”
The Chargers go rush additionally consists of edge rusher Joey Bosa, who has three sacks, and defensive lineman Morgan Fox, who has 5.
It might be an enormous problem for the offensive line.
Right sort out Darnell Wright was on the damage report all week with shoulder and toe points, however he practiced in full Friday and mentioned he’s “good to go” for the sport. Eberflus mentioned the Bears is not going to activate left sort out Braxton Jones from injured reserve but as he works his approach again from his neck damage, which means Larry Borom is more likely to once more begin at left sort out.
Borom known as Mack “a handful” and Wright mentioned he’ll current a distinct problem than what he has confronted to this point this yr.
“He’s a really good player, really strong. He has a high motor,” Wright mentioned. “Just the type of explosive player he is (makes him different). He’s speed, power, strong guy, but he’s also a little bit faster than you expect. His leverage is a little bit different because he’s not as tall.”
Safety questions
The Bears listed each of their beginning safeties — Jackson and Jaquan Brisker — as questionable for the sport.
Jackson has been battling a foot damage since Week 2 however practiced in full Friday. He mentioned “we’re going to see” when requested if he shall be good to play.
Jackson mentioned he had a number of exams executed on his foot, the identical one which he injured final yr, and “everything’s intact, everything’s stable.” He described the problem as “wear and tear” and “scar tissue” from the earlier damage and mentioned it’s one thing he has to combat via.
He performed 14 snaps towards the Vikings however may inform his foot wasn’t prepared. He mentioned it has been powerful to not contribute to the protection as they attempt to flip it round from a tricky begin.
“You get those moments being out of football for so long,” Jackson mentioned. “It’s like you want to go, you want to go push it. It just wasn’t there yet, just needed more time or rest for it to recover.”
Brisker missed follow all week with an sickness, although he returned to Halas Hall on Friday. Eberflus mentioned if he’s feeling wholesome the Bears would really feel snug enjoying him.
“We’ll see what capacity that may be based on how he’s feeling,” Eberflus mentioned. “But we’re going to give him every chance we can to get to the game for sure.”
Injury report
Fields, proper guard Nate Davis (ankle) and cornerback Terell Smith (mononucleosis) have been dominated out for the sport.
Jackson, Brisker and offensive lineman Dan Feeney (knee) are questionable.
Wright and rookie operating again Roschon Johnson (concussion) have been cleared to play, although Eberflus mentioned they had been nonetheless working via what function Johnson may have.
For the Chargers, tight finish Gerald Everett (hip), vast receivers Joshua Palmer (knee) and Jalen Guyton (knee), security Alohi Gilman (heel), defensive again Deane Leonard (hamstring) and defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia (knee) are questionable.
Predictions
Brad Biggs (3-4)
It shall be attention-grabbing to see how Tyson Bagent performs in his second begin now that an opponent has some movie on him, and maybe the Chargers plan to make the quick passing sport harder. The Chargers are vulnerable to opponents’ passing video games and have confronted the highest three passing offenses within the league — the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings. The weak point of the Bears protection has been defending the go, and the Chargers have big-armed quarterback Justin Herbert. That looks as if an obstacle for a staff that has misplaced its final six video games within the Sunday evening time slot.
Chargers 27, Bears 20
Colleen Kane (3-4)
This is an effective measuring stick sport for the Bears to see if the progress they’ve made in successful two of the final three video games is for actual. The Chargers are a two-win staff with lots of expertise, beginning with quarterback Justin Herbert. If the Bears can sluggish him down, it can go a great distance in stating their case that they’ve made a turnaround. Undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent hasn’t given anyone many causes to doubt him but. He has dealt with what has been thrown at him with poise. But this take a look at on the highway on “Sunday Night Football” with Khalil Mack lurking appears extra important. I don’t know that he and the Bears can pull off their second straight win.
Chargers 24, Bears 20
Dan Wiederer (4-3)
The Bears have been enjoying a greater model of soccer this month and are beginning to reap the rewards. Still, their two victories have come towards quarterbacks Sam Howell and Brian Hoyer. It shall be a step up at school Sunday evening on the prime-time stage at SoFi Stadium. And Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense will problem the Bears to maintain up. An upset bid hinges on the power to handle the ball and restrict errors. Herbert, although, is simply too harmful.
Chargers 27, Bears 23
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Source: www.bostonherald.com