The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs, and week 6 in DC will be no different. The Bears head to the nation’s capital with some reinforcements, while the Commanders are riding high off a West Coast win. Both of these teams have playoff aspirations, though only Washington tasted the postseason last fall, after the last meeting between these two ball clubs resulted in opposite directions – perhaps something Bears fans should be thankful for. But what will be key this time around. Or should I
say: “who?”
In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I believe to be integral to their respective team’s success. Like seasons past, you won’t see any QBs, and you also won’t see any star defensive players like Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby.
No, these are more of the unsung variety. Yet, often just as critical to the success of the team.
Let’s get started with the Chicago Bears.
Offense: Theo Benedet, OT
The “Canadian Eagle” got his first start last week on the right side of the offensive line before sliding over to the left side just before halftime. Though Maxx Crosby almost single-handedly won the game for the Raiders, Benedet put forth a respectable performance and looked even better at Left Tackle than he did at Right Tackle, where they moved him at the end of the first half and for the entire second half. Though head coach Ben Johnson played it coy when asked who will be the starting LT this week, Theo will be likely be starting at one of the tackle spots. With Dorance Armstrong tied for 4th across the entire league with 5 sacks on the year, Benedet will have his hands full no matter where he lines up. Add in future Hall of Famer in Von Miller and former Bear Killer Preston Smith and protecting Caleb Williams in the passing game will be paramount for the 2nd year UDFA. How he handles the Monday Night lights on the road will be massive.
Defense: Kyler Gordon, DB
The obvious candidate here is Tyrique Stevenson in his own revenge game after the “Fail Mary,” where he embarrassed himself, directly causing a loss that spiraled his team’s entire season. But not only does he seem to have genuinely matured from the incident, he is also playing some of the best ball of his career the last few weeks, and I think he will be ready. Make no mistake, I will be watching Stevenson as well, but the return of ‘Spidey’ has me all sorts of excited this week. One of the few players singled out by both Ben Johnson and new Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen this off-season as a versatile asset they were excited to work with, we finally get a chance to see how Kyler will be deployed in this defense. Of course, the 4th year pro will be relied upon in coverage, but his play near the line of scrimmage is what excites me most this week. With Chicago’s run defense struggling mightily, having a missile in run support like Kyler will pay dividends. An area that he has continued to improve in every season and figures to take an even greater jump with Dennis Allen calling plays. In each of his first three seasons, Kyler has increased both his TFL numbers and assisted tackle numbers and had a career best 3 FR last season. I would love to see Kyler shadow Deebo Samuel some this week and also fully expect him to get after Jayden Daniels as a blitzer. If he is fully healthy and can make an impact here, I like the Chicago defense’s chances to hold the Commanders Monday night. If he struggles to find his role in the new defense or is a step slow in his recovery, this Washington team could be too much to handle.
Washington Commanders
Offense: Deebo Samuel, WR
Though Commanders WR1 Terry McClaurin has only played in 3 games, Deebo is averaging more targets per game (7.6) and yards per game (60.0) than the injured McClaurin (5.6 and 49.7). In last weeks come from behind win against the Chargers, Jayden Daniels targeted Deebo a whopping 11 times which was more than all the other WR/TEs combined. Deebo turned that into 8 catches for 96 yards and a score. Let’s be clear, this is an offense that wants to pound the rock behind their much improved offensive line – after all, the Commanders lead the league in rushing yards per game with 156.4. And while Deebo, a weapon much more accustomed to running the ball than perhaps any other WR in the league, he’s only carried the ball 7 times this season. Deebo will be relied upon to keep the Bears defense honest and I expect him to to be targeted early and often in this one from a variety of positions on the field. If he can gash the Bears and keep the chains moving, then Chicago will need to once again rely on timely turnovers in this one. If they do pick off Daniels, it will be his first of the season, so I would not rely on that strategy.
Defense: Daron Payne, DT
After the Commanders traded away long time captain and former Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne assumed the leadership role up front and he has not disappointed. Payne is tied for 2nd on the team with 4 TFL and leads all defensive linemen with 2 passes deflected and a forced fumble. He also has one sack on the year and has been playing inspired ball in every game I have seen. Payne will be a load up front and between him, the aforementioned Dorance Armstrong and last seasons 2nd rounder Johnny Newton, Chicago will have their hands full against a surging Commanders D. But how the Bears navigate Payne up front in the run game will have my attention most. Will the extra Bye week suit Chicago well in getting their line in sync and will any new personnel adjustments pan out? Or will Payne and co. harass Caleb and shut down any and all run lanes like the Bears have seen all season? It will be interesting to watch.
What about you? Which players on both sides will you be focusing on Monday Night against the Commanders? Let us know in the comments!
Recap from Week 4:
Bears O – D’Andre Swift, RB: Just 60 total yards but scored the go ahead TD in the 4th quarter.
Bears D – Jaquan Brisker, S.: Only 4 tackles with 1 solo and 1 QBH.
Raiders O – Ashton Jeanty, RB: 21 carries for 139 yards and 1 TD to go along with 2 catches for 17 yards and 2 more TD’s, Jeanty had his breakout game everyone feared.
Raiders D – Jeremy Chinn, S/LB: 7 tackles, 3 solo with no impact plays.
Remember, there’s a near-zero chance of a Bears win when all four players perform in a way that favors the opponent. Here, we keep track of weeks past to see how things unfolded:
Week 1: Loveland, Jarrett, Mason, Metellus – Vikes owned 75% this week. Perhaps 100%. L
Week 2: Jackson, Edmunds, Gibbs, Branch – Again, we were owned in 75% this week, maybe 100%. L
Week 3: Moore, Dexter Sr., Pickens, Sanborn – Finally, we dominated in all phases. At least 75% in our favor. W
Week 4: Swift, Brisker, Jeanty, Chinn – I’d say we went 2-2 here and barely squeaked away with the win. W
