WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL
After taking a step forward last week against the Panthers, Caleb Williams and the offense have another prime opportunity to show progress against a Jaguars defense that ranks 30th in the NFL in points allowed (28.6 points per game) and has allowed 34, 24 and 34 points in its previous three games.
The Bears will try to build on their recent success in the run game — 131 yards against the Rams, 128 against the Panthers — but it might be a tougher challenge. The Jaguars are eighth in the NFL in rushing defense (105.6 yards per game) and sixth in yards per carry (4.1). Then again, it shouldn’t take much to unleash Williams in the passing game. The Jaguars are 30th in opposing passer rating (111.7, 10 touchdowns, no interceptions).
Every game is a challenge for the Bears’ work-in-progress offensive line. Left guard Teven Jenkins is questionable with an ankle injury. Bill Murray, who ably replaced Jenkins in the second quarter against the Panthers, would start in his place. Left tackle Braxton Jones faces the toughest individual matchup, against Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, who had 17.5 sacks last season and has two this season.
‘‘They work a lot of different games [on the defensive line],’’ Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said. ‘‘They can win one-on-ones at a lot of different positions. For us, doing a good job every game starts up front. It’s especially true with this one. That front can disrupt everything.’’
WHEN THE JAGUARS HAVE THE BALL
In quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the running-back tandem of Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby, the Jaguars have the potential to gash a Bears defense that has held opponents to 21 points or fewer in all five games — and in 11 in a row going back to last season.
Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2021 draft, has been inconsistent throughout his NFL career but is coming off a season-best performance in a 37-34 victory last week against the Colts. He was 28-for-34 for 371 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for a 119.5 passer rating.
Behind Etienne and Bigsby, the Jaguars are averaging 126.2 rushing yards (11th in the NFL) and 5.7 yards per carry (second).
Lawrence will attack a Bears secondary that will be missing safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion) and might be without cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (calf), who is doubtful after being limited in practice Thursday and Friday. Elijah Hicks will start for Brisker; Jaylon Jones would start if Stevenson can’t play.
Preventing the big play will be a key for the Bears’ defense. The Jaguars already have five plays of 50 yards or more this season, the most in the NFL. In their victory against the Colts, Lawrence threw an 85-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brian Thomas and a 61-yard completion to wide receiver Christian Kirk and Bigsby scored on a 65-yard run.
‘‘We have to make sure we’re doing a good job of tackling,’’ Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington said. ‘‘We have to do a great job within our gaps and a great job of being efficient on first and second down.’’