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Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

'TNF' preview: OMG! Bears-Commanders surely will be frightening

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 10/4/23

The NFL is getting into the Halloween spirit weeks early with "Thursday Night Football," a ghastly game between the Chicago Bears (0-4) and Washington Commanders (2-2). Whatever you do, don't watch this one with the lights off.

WHEN CHICAGO IS ON OFFENSE

Will Justin Fields build on Week 4? Fields finally had his first 300-yard passing game in the NFL in Week 4 against Denver. He was 28-of-35 for 335 yards and four touchdowns passes in Chicago's 31-28 loss. Unlike in previous starts, Fields wasn't the reason Chicago lost. The Commanders are 20th in pass defense (230 yards per game), so Fields has a chance for a big game on the road.

Potential mismatch in the running game: The Bears might not need Fields to be Superman. Washington is slightly worse against the run than the pass (21st in run defense, 122.5 yards per game). Chicago's offensive line ranks second in ESPN's run-block win rate (75 percent) while Washington is third-worst in run-stop win rate. Bears running backs Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson have combined for 63 carries for 299 yards.

D.J. Moore, missing in action? The former Panthers wide receiver was supposed to unlock another dimension in Chicago's pass offense, but based on his first four games, he's due for a dud in Week 5. Moore has two 100-yard games this season (Weeks 2 and 4). In Chicago's other two games, he has combined for five receptions for 66 yards. Despite the inconsistent start, he's on pace for the most receiving yards of his career. With Chicago's season in shambles, Moore must be more of a constant and less of a variable.

Anything else on Prime Video? Maybe you never got around to watching the final season of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" or want to watch "The Boys" spin-off "Gen V." If you're paying for Prime Video, you might as well get your money's worth. That's probably not happening watching the Bears. Washington boasts a talented defensive front that includes defensive tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen and edge rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young.

This is what Chicago's offense will look like on Thursday.

Oh boy. Here's Justin Fields' 1st sack.

Motion tells us we've got zone, but Tampa drops from a 2-high look into Cover 3 after the snap.

We like Mooney pre-snap, and honestly? He's NFL open. Throw it!

But if you didn't like Mooney, look at DJ Moore! He's open *the entire play* pic.twitter.com/ALdFFj2A7F
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) September 18, 2023

pic.twitter.com/YXkDw7KAG4
— ✶ MarcusD ✶ ツ (@Someone20241575) September 17, 2023

Lukas Van Ness, Packers’ first round draft pick, with a sack on Justin Fields. pic.twitter.com/jWhRDskm3B
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) September 10, 2023

Montez Sweat with the sack last year on Justin Fields

pic.twitter.com/ldvXkR600p
— Commanders Muse (@CommandersMuse) October 4, 2023

WHEN WASHINGTON IS ON OFFENSE

Sam Howell takes flight: Howell responded admirably in Week 4 after a nightmarish outing against the Buffalo Bills the previous week. He was 29-of-41 for 290 yards and threw for the tying touchdown on the final play in regulation against Philadelphia.

THE PENNSYLVANIA KID SENDS US TO OT

#WASvsPHI: FOX pic.twitter.com/dhwjJUx1Al
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 1, 2023

Howell has an excellent opportunity to build on his solid game. Chicago ranks 29th against the pass (267.8 yards per game) and has allowed the second-most passing touchdowns (10).

Big games for Commander running backs: Chicago has already allowed 618 yards and eight touchdowns to running backs, an excellent sign for the prospects of Washington backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson. Robinson leads the team with 61 carries, 261 yards and four total touchdowns. Gibson has been used more sparingly but is tied with receiver Terry McLaurin for second-most touches (21).

Chicago's high-priced free agents: The Bears defense is worse than in 2022, when it finished last in scoring defense (27.2 points allowed per game). Despite spending big to improve the unit, Chicago allows 34.3 points per gamer. The front office spent $88 million guaranteed on linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds and defensive ends Yannick Ngakoue and DeMarcus Walker. Howell has been sacked more than any other quarterback (24, per StatMuse) while the Bears are last in sacks.

Eric Bieniemy's influence: Washington's offense shows promise in Bieniemy's first year as offensive coordinator. Its two 30-point performances are already more than it had all of last season. He was on Andy Reid's coaching staff in Kansas City from 2013-22, including the last five as offensive coordinator. The Bears are unlikely to offer much resistance, adding another highlight to Bieniemy's résumé. Someone give this man a head-coaching gig.

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