LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — The spotlight is now brighter on the Bears (4-2), who will meet the Commanders (5-2) on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. CT at Northwest Stadium outside of Washington D.C.
Here are three storylines to follow in this matchup.
Quarterback question
It remains unclear if the much-anticipated matchup between the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft will take place, as Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is dealing with a ribs injury that he suffered in Washington's win against Carolina last Sunday.
The status of Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick, is in question for Sunday. Veteran backup Marcus Mariota will start for the Commanders if Daniels is unable to play.
Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick, is among those hoping for the premier matchup to take place.
“I hope he plays,” Williams said. “Obviously, you don’t wish to see wish to see good and great players down, not in games. It only makes the game better.”
Whether it’s Daniels or Mariota starting for the Commanders, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and his defense need to be prepared for everything.
The Commanders have the NFL’s top-ranked scoring offense (31.1 points per game) in their strong start. Their offense features standouts like running back Brian Robinson Jr., running back Austin Ekeler, receiver Terry McLaurin and veteran tight end Zach Ertz.
Eberflus believes the Commanders’ scheme will be similar regardless of whether Daniels or Mariota starts.
"Our plan will be our plan," Eberflus said. "And we'll adjust. We'll have contingency plan for who's in there. But we're going to stick with what we're doing."
Of course, the game would lose a bit of its intrigue factor without the 23-year-old Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy at LSU at in 2023 – a year after Williams won it at USC – and has ignited a long-struggling franchise.
The Commanders' hope is that Daniels is the long-term savior in Washington D.C., which is coincidentally Williams' hometown.
Williams, 22, certainly understands the fascination with the matchup, but he’s keeping his focus simple heading into Sunday.
“We’ll see from this game and in the future,” Williams said. “I think it’s going to be great for us, and the battle between us as (the media) wants to talk about. But my job is to go out there and win the game for the Chicago Bears.”
Eberflus vs. Kingsbury
Chicago's defense and Washington's offense will match strength against strength, and it will present an interesting chess match on the sidelines.
As the Bears’ lead play-caller on defense, Eberflus will match wits with Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury – whom Chicago interviewed for its offensive coordinator vacancy back in January.
The Bears hired Shane Waldron for that role while Kingsbury landed with new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn.
“I’ve always respected him,” Eberflus said of Kingsbury. “Going against him over the years and respect his offense and the way he finds space on the field, the way he’s committed to the run game.
“It was a pleasure to meet him personally, had a great visit for a good amount of time during that interview. And it was very informative to both parties.”
Kingsbury has clicked with the rookie Daniels and the Commanders, doing a good job of matching his scheme with the personnel. In Chicago, the Waldron-led Bears offense struggled in its first three games but has since found its form in a three-game winning streak.
On Sunday, Eberflus and the Bears will look to neutralize Kingsbury’s best intentions and the Commanders' attack. As Washington ranks in the top five in the NFL in many key offensive categories, Chicago is in the top five in many key defensive categories.
Tez returns
On Sunday afternoon, Bears star pass rusher Montez Sweat will play his 16th game for the team. It will come just shy of one year to the date of a high-profile trade that sent him from Washington to Chicago.
That deal was struck just prior to the NFL’s trade deadline last Oct. 31, with the Bears sending a second-round pick to the Commanders in exchange for Sweat. He had a career-best 12.5 sacks in 2023, leading both Chicago and Washington in that category. Sweat signed a lucrative four-year, $98.5-million contract extension days after the trade and later earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time.
Sweat’s impact extends beyond his personal statistics and is reflected in how the Bears have ascended with him. The Bears are 9-6 since acquiring Sweat and have allowed 21 points or fewer in 12 straight games.
Sweat has been a catalyst for those around him, while the Bears defense has also helped Sweat showcase his best form.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.