What to watch for: Bears at Commanders

When the Bears have the ball

Caleb Williams is coming off a bye week with a lot to prove after a choppy-at-best — but winning — performance against the Raiders. He struggled throughout but engineered an 11-play, 69-yard touchdown drive in the final 6:45.

But the focus probably should be on the Bears’ offensive line and protection scheme, especially against a hit-and-miss Commanders defense under Dan Quinn. Washington shut down the Chargers (10 points, none in the last three quarters) in a 27-10 victory last week when it was able to harass Justin Herbert (four sacks, nine quarterback hits) but was vulnerable in a 34-27 loss to the Falcons the week before with much less pressure on Michael Penix Jr. (one sack, two quarterback hits).

Right tackle Darnell Wright is expected to start after missing the Raiders game with an elbow injury. Theo Benedet, who made his first NFL start in place of Wright in Las Vegas, will start for left tackle Braxton Jones.

It remains to be seen if Benedet, a 2024 undrafted free agent, won the job outright or by default after rookie Ozzy Trapilo failed to win the job and Jones failed to keep it. This game will help solve that riddle with the Commanders tied for sixth in sacks per pass play.

Williams, while generally improving, figures to need all the support he can get. Tight end Colston Loveland (hip) is questionable. And, as always, establishing the run will be the first order of business.

When the Commanders have the ball

The Bears’ defense, which has been short-handed all season, will be as healthy as it has been with slot cornerback Kyler Gordon (hamstring) playing for the first time this season and linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) playing for the first time since Week  2 against the Lions. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson (groin/IR) and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (knee) are out.

Gordon and Edwards are key additions. Edwards has been the Bears’ best linebacker in his two seasons, and the team considers Gordon an emerging difference-making player. So their return could have a “multiplier” effect on the defense.

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels forces defenses to be as balanced and disciplined as possible. But he’ll be without wide receivers Terry McLaurin (quad) and Hail Mary hero Noah Brown (groin, knee). And leading receiver Deebo Samuel (30 receptions, 300 yards, three touchdowns) is questionable with a heel injury.

The heat is on the Bears’ defensive front, which ranks 27th in sacks per pass play with five sacks — only one by former Commander Montez Sweat.

The Bears also are 31st against the run (32nd in yards per carry) and face Commanders seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt (43 carries, 283 yards, 6.6 yards per carry, four touchdowns), who had 14 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Chargers.