The Chicago Bears face their toughest test of the season on Sunday, Oct. 18, when they travel to Atlanta to play the Falcons at 1 p.m. ET. This game matters because the Bears need a win after a brutal loss, and the Falcons have a defense that could exploit Chicago’s current weaknesses.
According to Yahoo Sports, the Bears rank seventh in yardage despite missing their star quarterback for three games, but their offense faces a new challenge in the form of a former player who knows the scheme. The outcome hinges on whether the secondary can hold up against a hot receiver and if the offense can find rhythm without turning the ball over.
The Battle of the Former Tackle
One of the most interesting storylines involves defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, who was traded to the Falcons just before the season started. He will now go up against the team that decided not to invest in him with a long-term contract. The Falcons signed Dexter to a four-year, $78 million extension, giving him a massive financial incentive to prove the Bears made a mistake.
This matchup will likely happen against Bears right guard Jonah Jackson, who holds the sixth-best overall grade at his position. The contrast between Jackson’s elite blocking and Dexter’s new money will be a key factor in the trenches.
Can the Secondary Stop the Fire?
The Bears’ secondary faces a serious test against Falcons wide receiver Drake London, who has been on a tear recently. London has recorded 21 catches and 408 receiving yards over the last three games alone, even though he has not scored a touchdown this year yet.
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, will likely shadow London, but Johnson has struggled in coverage this season. Yahoo Sports reports that Johnson’s career-worst figures include a 133.2 passer rating and an 82.6% completion rate. If Johnson cannot tighten his coverage, London could have a breakout day that changes the game.
The Bears also need to watch out for tight end Kyle Pitts, who finally scored his first touchdown of the year last week after a slow start. He will face linebacker Devin Bush, who has been a wall in coverage with a 42.9% completion rate allowed and zero touchdowns given up through five games.
This specific matchup could be the difference maker if Atlanta cannot get Pitts involved in the passing game. The Falcons need more production from Pitts to keep their offense balanced, while the Bears need to stop him to control the clock.
Coaching and Quarterback Returns
The game also features a high-stakes chess match on the sidelines between Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and Bears head coach Ben Johnson. Even though Johnson ranks among the league’s top offensive playcallers currently, his unit now confronts its most challenging test to date.
The Falcons defense has performed better than expected, but they have not seen an offense like this one yet. Per Yahoo Sports, the Bears are expected to get quarterback Caleb Williams back after he missed the last three games with a hamstring injury.
