The Chicago Bears get back after the bye week and travel to Washington for a Monday Night Football game against the Commanders.
A lot of the pre-game talk is going to be about last year’s matchup and the season-altering
Hail Mary that the Commanders executed. “Revenge game,” “redemption game,” “exorcising demons,” whatever clichê you want to throw out there will be said at some point.
The truth is the NFL is a week-to-week and a year-to-year league. The Bears are still trying to establish their new identity and culture under Ben Johnson. While the Commanders are trying to remain among the NFC’s elite teams and build on last year’s NFC Championship game run.
The clichés that Washington is playing against are “regression,” “sophomore slump,” and “fluke season.”
It should be a good game with a good match-up of talent. Not to mention the top two draft picks from 2024.
Washington Commanders
SB Nation site: Hogs Haven
Record: 3-2, second in the NFC East
Last week: 27-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers
Game day, time, TV: Monday, 7:15 p.m. ESPN
Spread: The Bears are 4-point underdogs to the Commanders
Bears all-time record against: 25-28-1, including 3-4 postseason
Historical meetings: October 13, 2022, week 6. The Bears hosted the Commanders at Soldier Field for Thursday Night Football.
In an ugly, boring game, the Bears took a 7-3 lead on a third quarter pass from Justin Fields to Dante Pettis.
The Commanders cut it to one point at the start of the fourth quarter.
Velus Jones Jr. muffed a punt at the Bears’ six-yard line, setting up a Brian Robinson touchdown two plays later.
The Bears punted and Washington drove but ultimately missed a field goal, keeping the Bears within reach.
Fields moved Chicago down the field, but on fourth and goal from the four-yard line, Darnell Mooney was tackle on the goal line but couldn’t get the ball to break the plane and the Bears lost 12-7.
Last meeting: I don’t recall what happened.
All right. All right, fine.
Click here if you actually want to remember.
Injury report: Being a Monday night game, the first injury report was not available at the time of publishing.
Offense: Washington comes into the game ranked eighth in points and 13th in yards.
Their passing offense ranks 23rd, and their rushing offense ranks first.
QB Jayden Daniels (59.2 pct cmp/664 yds./4 TD/0 INT) has missed two games but is still playing strong, although his numbers are down from last year.
The passing game is highlighted by Deebo Samuel (30 rec./300 yds./3 TD), Zach Ertz (14/149/2) and Terry McLaurin (10/149/0). McLaurin has missed the last two games with a quad injury. He did not practice on Wednesday, but there is no official injury report.
On the ground, Jacory Croskey-Merritt (43 att./283 yds./4 TD) has taken over the lead role. Jayden Daniels (26/124/0) remains a rushing threat. Chris Rodriguez (23/105/0) and Jeremy McNichols (11/105/1) also get some carries. Deebo Samuel (7/46/1) gets into the mix like he did in his San Francisco days.
Defense: The Commanders defense ranks ninth in points allowed and 24th in yards allowed.
Their passing defense ranks 23rd and their rushing defense ranks 17th.
Bobby Wagner (56 tkls/2 sk/4 TFL/4 QB hits) leads Washington in tackles. Quan Martin (29 tkls/1 FF/2 QB hits), CB Mike Sainristil (29 tkls/3 PD/2 INT) and LB Frankie Luvu (28 tkls/1 sk/1 TFL/1 QB hits) are also making plays.
Up front, Dorance Armstrong Jr. (5 sk/7 TFL/6 QB hits), Von Miller (3 sk/2 TFL/5 QB hits) and Daron Payne (1 sk/2 PD/1 FF/4 TFL/4 QB hits) are getting after the opposing QBs.
In the secondary, Mike Sainristil, Marshon Lattimore (4 PD/20 tkls/1 TFL) and Trey Amos (11 tkls/1 TFL) and Jeremy Reaves (2 PD/24 tkls) are making plays. Sainristil is the only Commander with an interception this year.
Key matchups: Slowing down the run game is going to be the key here. Croskey-Merritt and Daniels can be lethal on the ground. Washington is averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Washington has faced the second-fewest third down attempts in the league. Getting them to third and long will be important. The Commanders rank 14th in sacks allowed. If the Bears can get pressure (emphasis on if), it will disrupt their offense.
For the offense, Washington’s defense is middling. They need to get the run going. Washington ranks 21st in yards per play allowed. So there is an opportunity for the Bears to make some plays downfield.
Key stats
- Washington ranks 29th in third down conversions. But, they rank 31st in third down attempts.
- The Commanders rank sixth in redzone scoring.
- Washington’s defense ranks 27th in turnovers. Chicago ranks third.
- Opposing QBs have posted a 101.2 QB rating against Washington.
- Washington is allowing the sixth-worst ANY/A of any defense at 7.3. The Bears rank 14th, allowing 6.3.
What do the Bears need to do to win Monday? Do you think they can come out strong from the bye week?
