2 min read • October 12, 2022
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Week 6 Thursday Night Football will treat us with the 29th and 30th ranked teams, according to NFL.com power rankings. Both the Commanders and Bears have been lifeless on offense to start the year but have a chance to showcase something when they meet in the Windy City. Washington will again be without their best defensive player but hold more injury concerns on offense while the Bears are getting healthier on both sides of the ball.
Since opening the season with a comeback victory over the Jaguars, Washington has dropped four straight games with their defense giving up 26.5 points per game.
Star DE Chase Young has yet to return from an 2021 ACL tear and the defense has suffered in his absence. They have gotten to the quarterback ranking 7th in team sacks but has failed to bring constant pressure and combined with a poor run defense have spelled trouble without their X-factor on defense.
Although the issues on defense are glaring, the problem spot going into TNF will be the Commanders injured OL. Starting C Chase Roullier (knee) and RG Wes Schweitzer (convulsions) are on IR while RT Sam Cosmi missed last week after undergoing thumb surgery and will likely miss the primetime showdown.
With Cosmi out, the Commanders will be down 3 starting OL on Thursday meaning running room will be minimal for Antonio Gibson and recently returned Brian Robinson.
Penn State superstar Jahan Dotson missed last week as he nurses a hamstring issue and will like miss his second straight week due to the short turnaround.
The big story this season in Chicago is the ineptitude of the Bears passing attack with sports-books posting measly Justin Fields passing props that share a number reminiscent of a Cal-Santa Clara basketball Over/Under. The good news is the Bears will are getting healthier heading into the TNF matchup.
Star running back David Montgomery returned last week from an ankle/knee injury put didn’t look 100% rushing for 20 yards on 12 carries including a touchdown. Montgomery was extremely effective in the pass game catching 6 passes for 62 yards. The workload is encouraging going into Thursday and he will be another week healthier.
The big get coming into primetime is the return of number one corner Jaylon Johnson. The Utah Utes alum has missed the last three games due to a quad injury but logged a full practice on Tuesday meaning the stud will likely suit up.
This is a boon for the defense as the CB was playing elite level football before his injury. Expect the corner to play his usual snaps against an offense who averages almost 253 passing yards per game ranking 10th in the NFL.
Commanders U19.5 Team Total
Washington will be down three starters on the OL and without their vertical threat in Dotson. Expect the Commanders to struggle on offense against an improving in health Bears defense.
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