WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three keys for the Bears to win Sunday afternoon’s game against the Commanders:
1. Keep rolling
The Bears entered the bye with the most offensive momentum they’ve had all year. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who had four touchdown passes two weeks ago against the Jaguars, improved in every single game from Weeks 2-6. Taking another step would bode well for the Bears’ chances in the second half of the season, when their schedule gets much tougher.
2. Ride Swift
D’Andre Swift might have been the worst starting running back in the NFL in Weeks 1-3 but was one of the best in the Bears’ next three games. From Weeks 3-6, only five players had more rushing yards — the Ravens’ Derrick Henry, the Panthers’ Chuba Hubbard, the 49ers’ Jordan Mason, the Rams’ Kyren Williams and the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley.
3. Defend the offense, not the QB
The Bears spent all week saying they weren’t particularly concerned about whether rookie Jayden Daniels or veteran Marcus Mariota would play quarterback. That was probably a lie — Daniels is dynamic — but the point was made: Mariota is competent enough to carry an offense that entered Sunday tied for the NFL lead in points per game. The Bears’ defense can’t let up.