(WBBM Newsradio) The Bears (3-3) host the Chargers (2-5) at Soldier Field on Sunday. Kickoff comes at noon, and the game can be heard on WBBM Newsradio 780.
Let's break down the keys to the game.
OFFENSE
--The Bears rank 30th in rushing play percentage over their previous three games, becoming a glaring absence in the search for balance. How much the Bears run against the Chargers is not the question, but rather how many runs produce the kind of production necessary to move the chains and collect first downs. The Bears' offense needs first downs. First downs lead to touchdowns. First downs lead to time of possession. First downs lead to keeping the defense fresh. The Bears need first downs to beat the Chargers.
--Quaterback Mitchell Trubisky goes to work against a Chargers defense allowing the highest completion percentage in the league at 74.6%. They also lead the league in missed tackles, according to pro-football-reference.com. Finding completions and then having the receivers break some tackles to get the chains moving could be enough to successfully get the offense back on track.
--In order to get the kind of production the Bears seek on offense, they have to handle defensive end Joey Bosa. He leads the Chargers with five sacks, but affects the pocket in many ways with tremendous hands and leverage. The questionable return of 2012 first round pick Melvin Ingram at the other defensive end spot in Gus Bradley's defense is significant. He only has one sack in four games, and is dealing with a bad hamstring. However, paired with Bosa, the duo creates challenges for the offensive line.
--The Bears are 26th on third down leading to a time of possession advantage only one time this season. That must change.
--Allen Robinson is the only consistent weapon through six games, piling up an average of 4.5 first downs per game this season, second among all league receivers. Others need to do the same.
DEFENSE
--Defending a quarterback with the competitive drive of Philip Rivers requires going full tilt for four quarters. He will rip your heart out if you don't put him away. He's engineered 26 fourth-quarter comebacks and 31 game-winning drives in his decorated career. No lead is safe.
--No quarterback likes pocket pressure, and Rivers is no exception. The Bears' front has to win one-on-one battles, get their hands up, and when they get to Rivers, go after the ball. He has the sixth most batted balls at the line of scrimmage, with six. In his career, Rivers has fumbled 105 times, losing only 37.
--The tackling needs improvement over the last two games. They have to tackle dual-threat running back Austin Ekeler. He leads the NFL with 582 combined yards after the catch and after contact on runs.
--The Chargers are third in the league on third down, which has led to winning the clock battle in five of their seven games. In the last two games, the Bears' defense has permitted 13-of-27 third down conversions.
SPECIAL TEAMS
--An awakening in the return game led to Cordarrelle Patterson's 102-yard touchdown last week and leaves him with the third most return yards in the league. It is hard to say if he will get many chances after his 7th career touchdown. If the opportunity is there, take it. The Bears need the juice.
--Illinois rookie Chase McLaughlin is expected to kick again this week for the injured Michael Badgley (groin), and he has reached the end zone on 10 of his 11 kickoffs. Only four of his kickoffs have been returned. Will he give Patterson a chance?
INTANGIBLES
--The Chargers have lost five games this season. All of them have been by a margin of seven points or less. The outcomes turned on four touchdowns nullified by penalty and a remarkable five turnovers in goal-to-go situations, and six red zone turnovers overall, double what the Chargers had last season. They are a tough out. The Bears have to remain gassed up for the entire 60 minutes.
--Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy is calling on his team to be tighter, but not play tight. Early possessions could reveal a lot about the Bears in this game.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780 & 105.9 FM. Follow him on Twitter @JeffJoniak.
