LAKE FOREST, Ill. (WBBM Newsradio) -- The Bears (7-7) host the Chiefs (10-4) at Soldier Field on Sunday night. The game can be heard on WBBM Newsradio 780, with kickoff set for 7:20 p.m.
Here are my keys to the game.
Offense
-This must be a game in which the Bears run as many plays as possible, but plays that produce points. The less Kansas City has the ball, the better. They have 71 scoring drives, tied for second most in the league, and they score on average in 3:33. They strike quickly.
-Getting the run game going is again an objective. The Chiefs are 26th in defending the run and 30th in yards-per-carry. However, the unit is overcoming the yield, with good pass pressure, turnovers, and a top-ten third-down defense.
-Protecting Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky from defensive linemen Chris Jones and Frank Clark is critical. They are an abusive inside/outside tandem meshing well with safety Tyrann Mathieu. The "Honey Badger" is playing as well as any safety in the league right now and must be accounted for.
-Scoring the ball on a big catch-and-run play or deep-ball-to-the-end-zone is uncommon for the Bears, who have only four touchdowns outside the red zone this season. But those big plays open up windows to stretch the field vertically and horizontally and should be a goal against the Chiefs.
Defense
-Since 2018, the Chiefs are the number 1 scoring offense in the league at 32.0 points per game. They are a points machine when it comes to setting the tone for the day, piling up 240 first half points and a differential of +100. The Bears defense is being asked to prevent the big play.
-Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a gunslinger. He can put on a show, but he also presents opportunities with some of his risk/reward throws. Defenders must take advantage of the slightest of opportunities.
-The Chiefs are the highest-scoring offense outside the 20-yard line, scoring 159 points to lead the league.
-Cheetahs accelerate from 0-to-60 mph in 3.4 seconds, and receiver Tyreek Hill plays like his nickname. His play speed is nothing the Bears have faced this season. Disrupting that speed with physicality and a pass rush on Patrick Mahomes is critical.
-Hill is just one member of the Kansas City track team. Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman and running back Damien Williams all run 4.4 or better. Speed kills. The Bears can't fear, but stop it.
Special teams
-The Bears face one of the most prepared and well-coached special teams units in the league. All that speed on the roster is also found in coverage and in the return game, where Hardman is a threat.
-Kansas City's coverage units are elite, ranking 4th in opponents kick return average and 3rd on punt returns.
-Punter Dustin Colquitt has only two touchbacks on 44 punts, and 71 total return yards against him.
-Bears all-decade kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson might be interested to know that under Chiefs coordinator Dave Toub, no return touchdowns have occurred since 2013, tied with Atlanta for #1 and only has happened since 2010, tied with another former Bears coordinator Keith Armstrong. So, it's rare.
Intangibles
-The Bears have nothing to lose but pride and reputation. They can help each other immensely by shining in the bright lights of primetime Sunday night football.
-It is a perfect opportunity to quiet some of the critics, correct some season long flaws and shove some confidence into what's left of 2019 and use it to springboard into 2020.
-A well-played, feisty, productive effort against a Super Bowl contender would put everyone on notice that the Bears remain resilient and hopeful.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780 & 105.9 FM. Follow him on Twitter @JeffJoniak.
