The Chicago Bears (2-3) host the Washington Commanders (1-4) at Soldier Field for a nationally televised recreation Thursday night time (7:15, Fox-32, Prime Video).
As kickoff approaches, right here’s our snapshot have a look at the sport.
1. Player within the highlight
Carson Wentz
Commanders coach Ron Rivera sparked controversy this week when he was requested the distinction between his 1-4 group and the opposite groups within the NFC East — the Philadelphia Eagles (5-0), Dallas Cowboys (4-1) and New York Giants (4-1).
“Quarterback,” Rivera stated.
Rivera later defined he meant the opposite groups’ quarterbacks have been with their groups longer than Wentz, whom the Indianapolis Colts traded to the Commanders in March. But the preliminary remark gained sufficient media consideration that Rivera addressed it with not solely Wentz, but in addition the whole group.
“I told them I said some things that were misconstrued. I didn’t present them properly. That’s on me,” Rivera informed reporters. “I took accountability, told the guys I should know better. I had a bad day, so I figured I was feeling better today. Let’s move forward.”
Rivera famous in his preliminary feedback that Wentz, the No. 2 decide within the 2016 draft by the Eagles, has had good and dangerous days this season. Wentz has accomplished 132 of 210 passes (62.9%) for 1,390 yards with 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions and has been sacked 20 occasions — third within the NFL behind Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan.
Now Wentz is battling a sore shoulder that restricted him Monday and Tuesday, however he and Rivera stated it shouldn’t be a difficulty.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus and defensive coordinator Alan Williams had been with Wentz final 12 months in Indianapolis, although Williams stated he didn’t understand how a lot that may assist them this week.
“I don’t pay a whole bunch of attention to, ‘Hey, Alan, you were with him for one year and you know all his strengths and weaknesses,’” Williams stated. “We confronted him in OTAs and that sort of factor, after which our focus was on the opposite group, not essentially our quarterback.
“So we just have to approach it based on what we see on tape, what we see him doing and not doing and then attack him from that perspective.”
2. Pressing query
Can Bears quarterback Justin Fields construct on his second-half efficiency in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings?
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy stored his evaluation of Fields’ play within the loss to the Vikings measured. Fields did some good issues whereas main the Bears again from an 18-point first-half deficit, finishing 12 of 13 passes for 135 yards and a landing after halftime.
But Getsy and Fields comprehend it’s only a step towards the place they need the second-year quarterback to be.
“There’s been progress, right? And we’re sticking to the plan,” Getsy stated. “He did a very nice job in that recreation within the sense of he stored his composure. They obtained off to an enormous lead, (however) he stored the group collectively.
“He did a really good job hunting completions for us. Then he had three or four unbelievable escapes that were ridiculous. He did a pretty good job. Again, we’re getting a little bit better each week, and that’s truly our purpose.”
The numbers present the Bears might have an opportunity to construct on Sunday’s recreation. The Commanders protection has allowed 235 passing yards per recreation and seven.21 passing yards per play and has only one interception.
The problem, in fact, is making an attempt to construct momentum on a brief week with simply 3½ days of preparation.
“Shortened schedule, so it’s making sure I’m on top of everything,” Fields stated. “Definitely studying more at home and waking up early before meetings and making sure I just review it a little bit.”
3. Keep an eye fixed on …
The Commanders move rush
The Commanders are seventh within the NFL with 14 sacks, and 6 gamers have two or extra. Linebacker Jamin Davis has three, and defensive finish Montez Sweat has two sacks and 10 quarterback hits.
Eberflus pointed to Sweat and fellow former first-rounders Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, who every have 2½ sacks on the within.
“Two guys inside that are pretty dynamic, and then Sweat on the outside is also equally dynamic,” Eberflus stated. “So it creates challenges when you have that many guys that can rush. So we’re going to have our hands full.”
They’re positive to problem the calmness that Fields stated he operated with in opposition to the Vikings.
Getsy stated Fields has proven indicators of development in sensing stress and navigating round it throughout the pocket, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not the place they want it to be.
“It’s just knowing where your protection is going to and knowing if they do send a blitz, where is the weakness of your protection?” Fields stated. “Of course if somebody flashes through, you’ve got to see that and just have presence in the pocket and feel it out rather than look at it.”
4. Big-play problem
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson will return to the lineup after lacking three video games with a quadriceps damage. His presence ought to enhance a younger secondary that had early hassle with Vikings extensive receiver Justin Jefferson on Sunday.
According to NFL NextGen Stats, 9 of Jefferson’s 12 catches got here on open targets, which means he had 3 or extra yards of separation. That’s tied for the second-most by a large receiver in a single recreation since 2016.
Now Johnson returns to assist defend a Commanders group that has seven gamers with 100 or extra receiving yards, led by Terry McLaurin, who has 19 catches on 33 targets for 326 yards — 17.2 per catch.
“He’s definitely good at making explosive plays, definitely a good, savvy route runner,” Johnson stated.
Eberflus stated the Bears should be cautious of Wentz’s deep ball. Wentz threw a 75-yard landing to extensive receiver Dyami Brown on Sunday.
“The guy can throw it a mile, and he’s done that,” Eberflus stated.
Added Johnson: “He’s a big-play guy. Sometimes that can be good and sometimes that can be a little risky. You see him kind of holding the ball, taking sacks, different things like that. We’ve really got to stay on top and limit those big plays. Keep the ball in his hands as long as possible.”
5. Injury report
Along with Johnson’s return, extensive receiver N’Keal Harry practiced in full Wednesday after lacking the primary 5 weeks of the season following ankle surgical procedure.
Harry doesn’t have an damage designation, which means he’s wholesome sufficient to play, however Getsy indicated Harry may need a methods to go earlier than he’s an enormous offensive contributor, given his restricted observe time with Fields.
Harry stated he shall be very excited each time he will get his first alternative.
“It’s been hard just sitting here watching, especially once I started going to the games and standing on the sidelines,” Harry stated. “It just brings you so much closer to the actual game. So I’m excited.”
Safety Dane Cruikshank, who has been out with a hamstring damage, is listed as questionable.
For the Commanders, extensive receiver Jahan Dotson (hamstring), tight finish Logan Thomas (calf), cornerback William Jackson III (again), offensive lineman Sam Cosmi (finger), working again Jonathan Williams (knee) and security Percy Butler (quadriceps) have been dominated out.
Predictions
Brad Biggs (3-2)
The Bears are hopeful Justin Fields and the offense can construct off momentum they found late within the first half of Sunday’s loss in Minnesota in opposition to a Commanders protection that has been stable however liable to permitting explosive performs. While the Bears have been awful on protection within the first half, Washington has scored solely 31 first-half factors by means of 5 video games. The Bears are the worst within the NFL on third down, permitting opponents to transform 50.7%. The Commanders had been 1-for-11 on third down final week in a loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Bears 23, Commanders 20
Colleen Kane (4-1)
Against a not-great Commanders group, the Bears might have alternatives to make massive performs on either side of the ball. The return of cornerback Jaylon Johnson shall be essential in opposition to Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz, whose up-and-down play fed right into a mini controversy with coach Ron Rivera this week. Bears quarterback Justin Fields ought to be capable of construct on his second-half efficiency in opposition to the Vikings, although he must function with the identical decisive calm in opposition to a Commanders move rush that has had success. I believe the Bears will enter their mini “bye week” with a 3-0 house document.
Bears 24, Commanders 20
Dan Wiederer (3-2)
Jaylon Johnson’s return will assist. Justin Fields’ confidence spike ought to too. But in a short-turnaround conflict between a pair of bottom-tier groups, this turns into a significant take a look at of focus. The group that makes fewer sloppy game-changing errors will prevail.
Commanders 22, Bears 20
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Source: www.bostonherald.com