LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — The Bears (5-8) are looking to win their third game in a row when they visit the Cleveland Browns (8-5) on Sunday afternoon. Here are three storylines to follow in the matchup.
Fields vs. Garrett
Bears quarterback Justin Fields’ first NFL start was one to forget.
Fields was sacked nine times in the Bears’ 26-6 loss to the Browns on Sept. 26, 2021 as Chicago's offense totaled 47 net yards – including one net passing yard. Fields was 6-of-20 for 68 yards while being constantly pressured by the Browns’ attacking defensive front.
Browns star pass rusher Myles Garrett got to Fields for 4.5 sacks in that game, and he’s ready to rush Fields once again as the two teams meet Sunday. While Fields has improved considerably since his first career start, Garrett remains the same relentless player. He has 13 sacks in 13 games this season.
The Bears’ path to winning Sunday starts with containing the prolific pass rush of Garrett.
“He's the best defensive player on the field,” Fields said. “So, you've got to know where he is at all times – every play.”
Since returning on No. 19 from a fractured right thumb, Fields has impressed over three games, throwing for 609 yards and two touchdowns while recording 221 rushing yards and a score. Despite having a spate of injuries, the Browns will boast one of the best defenses that Fields has seen this season.
Stout on defense
The Bears have a budding defensive identity. Will that unit assert itself again come Sunday?
The Bears will look to pressure 38-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco, a 16-year NFL veteran who's the Browns’ fourth starter under center this season. Even in the prime of his career, Flacco wasn’t a mobile threat. He needs time in the pocket to be successful.
Bears edge rusher Montez Sweat will look to disrupt Flacco and add to his career-best sack total, which currently stands at 10. As for the rest of the Bears' defense, they'll need to make adjustments after veteran pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Chicago will turn to DeMarcus Walker, Dominique Robinson and Rasheem Green to take on larger roles opposite of Sweat.
The Bears have the NFL’s second-ranked rushing defense, while the Browns have had to alter their backfield mix without four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in September. Cleveland has relied on the backfield tandem of Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt with Chubb sidelined.
The Browns lead the NFL with 418 rushing attempts and are seventh in the league with 131.0 rushing yards per game. It will be a matchup of strength against strength as the Browns' ground game meets this Bears defense.
Carrying the load
In the Bears' 28-13 win against the Lions this past Sunday, they had their three top running backs – D'Onta Foreman, Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson – healthy and active for the first time since their season opener.
It was the veteran Foreman who led the way, rushing 11 times for 50 yards. Herbert and Johnson combined for just four carries in a reserve role. Foreman played 55% of the Bears’ offensive snaps, compared to a 28% share for Johnson and 17% share for Herbert.
The Bears have plenty of faith in the 27-year-old Foreman, who stepped up while Herbert and Johnson were injured and emerged as the team’s lead back. Foreman is a reliable rusher who the Bears believe gives them their best chance to earn wins. Though Herbert and Johnson are younger players, Foreman’s ability and steadiness have been prioritized over development.
It will be interesting to see if the Bears make any changes in their backfield mix Sunday, but it seems as if Foreman leading the backfield split is how they'll operate moving forward.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.