Following a Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Indianapolis Colts are back home this week for a matchup with the 1-1 Chicago Bears.
If digging out of an 0-2 hole and getting to the playoffs has shown to be a difficult task over the last 30-plus years, well, then overcoming an 0-3 start has been nearly impossible. Since 2002, only the 2018 Houston Texans have accomplished that feat.
Although only two games into the year, this is about as close to a must-win as one can get at this stage of the season. So let’s get to know the upcoming opponent with a closer look at this Bears team:
Last week: Bears lost to Texans 13-19
The Bears defense made things difficult on the Texans offense, limiting them to only one touchdown and a modest 5.1 yards per play. CJ Stroud was 23-for-36 passing for 260 yards and a score, with Nico Collins going for 135 of those yards, however, the Texans run game found little success.
But on the flip side, the Bears offense could get very little going. Caleb Williams threw for just 174 yards on 37 attempts and threw two interceptions. He was also sacked a whopping seven times, with the run game struggling to find any success as well.
Quarterback play
It’s been an up and down start for rookie Caleb Williams. He’s flashed the playmaking potential, but behind a shaky offensive line unit, the Bears passing game has found little consistency. Through two games, Williams has completed just 56 percent of his passes at 4.0 yards per attempt with two interceptions and no touchdowns. When it comes to the Bears passing offense, they rank last in yards per attempt and last in passing yards per game with 99.0.
Line of scrimmage
As the old saying goes, if you can control the line of scrimmage, you can control the game. The Bears defensive front has found success in that regard while that hasn’t been the case for the offensive line.
As a pass rush unit, the Bears have generated the fifth-highest quarterback pressure rate through two games. Against the run they rank in the top half of the league in yards per carry allowed and rushing yards per game. Head coach Matt Eberflus as thrown some different looks at the opposing quarterbacks pre-snap.
On the flip side, their offensive line has surrendered the ninth-most pressures and the second-most sacks. The Bears’ rushing offense ranks 29th with just 3.5 yards per attempt.
Turnovers
The Bears defense has been one of the better units at taking the ball away with four turnovers through two games. This secondary has also done well at limiting big play opportunities, which will force the Colts offense to have to string together long drives, something they’ve been unable to do up to this point. The three giveaways by the Bears’ offense is tied for the ninth-most.
Bears injury report
On the initial Wednesday injury report for the Bears, Keenan Allen and Teven Jenkins did not practice. Allen did not play this past week against Houston. Limited were Rome Odunze and Montez Sweat, among others.
#Bears Wednesday Injury Report pic.twitter.com/t911YeWQnd
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) September 18, 2024
Players to know
WR DJ Moore: In the early going, Moore has been to go-to target in the passing game for the Bears. He has 17 targets in two games with running back D’Andre Swift being in second with six. Moore has caught 11 of those targets for 89 yards.
RB D’Andre Swift: Swift has 24 carries and Khalil Herbert has just four. Swift has struggled to get going early on with only 48 total yards.
DE Montez Sweat: Sweat leads the Bears with seven pressures this season. He’s totaled at least 62 pressures in each of the last two seasons.
CB Jaylon Johnson: In two games, Johnson has allowed only three receptions on eight targets for just 30 yards. He also has two pass breakups and one interception.
The linebackers: Chicago boasts a very good linebacker trio, made up of TJ Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, and Jack Sanborn. A reliable group of tacklers who can limit opportunities in the passing game over the middle and help out against the run.
