Chicago (4-2) at Washington (5-2)
Sunday, 3:25 p.m., CBS
Against the spread: Bears 4-1-1; Commanders 5-2
Series record: Washington leads 27-26-1
Last meeting: Bears beat Commanders 40-20 on Oct. 5, 2023, at Washington.
Last week: Bears had bye, before that beat Jaguars 35-16 on Oct. 16; Commanders beat Panthers 40-7.
Bears offense: overall (24), rush (24), pass (20), scoring (12)
Bears defense: overall (5), rush (11), pass (7), scoring (4)
Commanders offense: overall (4), rush (3), pass (13), scoring (T-1)
Commanders defense: overall (16), rush (18), pass (12), scoring (15)
Jayden Daniels status
By far, the biggest storyline entering Sunday’s game is whether Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will play or not after suffering a rib injury against the Panthers last week.
Daniels is officially listed as questionable, but according to the latest updates Sunday morning, it appears he’s at least going to try to play.
NFL Network National Insider Ian Rapoport posted on X that “optimism is growing” that Daniels will play and that he will work out prior to the game.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter, meanwhile, says “all signs point to” Daniels playing, citing sources.
If Daniels does play, that’ll set up a showdown between the top two players taken in last April’s NFL Draft. The Commanders took Daniels No. 2 overall after the Bears, of course, took their quarterback of the future, Caleb Williams, at No. 1.
The teams will list their gameday injury reports later Sunday, so stay tuned.
The Bears, meanwhile, already listed two key defensive backs out for Sunday’s game on Friday’s injury report.
Safety Jaquan Brisker remains in concussion protocol after missing the Jacksonville game, while cornerback Kyler Gordon is also listed as out Sunday after injuring his hamstring in the same game.
Division standings
While the Commanders enter Sunday’s game atop the NFC East at 5-2, the Bears go into the game at 4-2 — and in last place in their division.
That’s because the NFC North has been the best division in football by far to this point, with every team 4-2 or better.
WGN Radio’s Kevin Powell — who’s back from his paternity leave with a new baby in his family, by the way — joined Sunday’s WGN Weekend Morning News to talk about the NFC North and take a look at the Bears’ upcoming schedule.
Watch in the video attached to this story.
Bears player to watch
QB Caleb Williams. Williams, who grew up in Maryland and Washington, was starting to look the part of a franchise quarterback prior to the bye. The No. 1 draft pick and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner was a combined 60-of-81 for 687 yards in wins over the Rams, Panthers and Jaguars. He has seven touchdown passes and one interception in that span, after throwing for two TDs and four INTs through his first three games.
Commanders player to watch
LB Bobby Wagner runs the defense in charge of slowing down Williams. The six-time All-Pro selection might be a half-step slower at 34 than in his prime, but his experience against Williams’ potential should be fun to witness.
Key matchup
Whoever starts at QB for Washington against the Chicago secondary. It will either be offensive rookie of the year favorite Jayden Daniels or journeyman Marcus Mariota. No matter who it is will need to be careful against Bears cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson, Josh Blackwell and Tyrique Stevenson, who have combined for four interceptions this season.
Key injuries
The Bears opened 21-day practice windows this week on OL Larry Borom (ankle) and RB Travis Homer (finger) to return from injured reserve. … Commanders rookie LT Brandon Coleman was concussed against Carolina and is in danger of not playing.
Series notes
This was originally a noon start until it was flexed onto national TV in anticipation of Williams vs. Daniels. … This would be the sixth time rookie QBs taken with the top two picks faced off. … The road team has won six of the past seven meetings.
Stats and stuff
The Bears have their best record through six games since being 5-1 in 2020 on the way to an 8-8 finish. … Chicago has won three in a row, its best run since Weeks 14 through 16 of that season. … The Bears have not won four in a row since the 2018 NFC North championship season. … Their wins are against teams — including Tennessee in the season opener — that are a combined 6-20. The losses were in Weeks 2 and 3 at Houston (5-2) and Indianapolis (4-3). … The Bears have gotten five touchdowns from their offense in each of their past two games, the first time they’ve done that since 1956. … Chicago has held opponents to 21 points or fewer in 12 consecutive games — the longest active streak in the NFL. … WR DJ Moore had a big game at Washington last year, when he caught eight passes and set career highs with 230 yards and three touchdowns to help Chicago stop a 14-game losing streak. In five games against Washington, Moore has 28 receptions for 451 yards and five TDs. … Washington is 3-0 at home for the first time since 2005. The team has not opened a season 4-0 at home since 1978. … Daniels has thrown for 1,410 yards, ran for 372 and been responsible for 10 total touchdowns. He’s second among NFL QBs in rushing yards with 372, trailing only Lamar Jackson. … Mariota was 18-of-23 for 205 yards and two TD passes in relief of Daniels last week. … RB Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for 71 yards and a TD against Carolina in his return after missing a game with a knee injury. … WR Terry McLaurin led the team with six catches for 98 yards last week. … Veteran TE Zach Ertz had his first TD catch of the season and rookie TE Ben Sinnott the first of his career in the Panthers game. … Wagner has made five or more tackles in 19 consecutive games. … LB Dante Fowler got his first interception last week, returning a pass by Andy Dalton 67 yards for a touchdown.
Fantasy tip
Williams, Moore and Bears TE Cole Kmet could feast against Washington’s secondary, which has struggled to defend against the pass most of the season.