The potential return of a high-priced starter headlines three questions the Bears need to answer against the Bengals
The Chicago Bears are one day away from the team's third preseason game coming off a drenched joint practice against the Cincinnati Bengals.With how Thursday's practice went on the field between the two teams, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus wants to see more out of his starters on the field and will be playing them […]
The Chicago Bears are one day away from the team's third preseason game coming off a drenched joint practice against the Cincinnati Bengals.
With how Thursday's practice went on the field between the two teams, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus wants to see more out of his starters on the field and will be playing them during the game on Saturday.
Last week against the Buffalo Bills, the starting offense played two drives during the first quarter and they're expected to play a similar amount of snaps this weekend. That potentially includes a starter everyone has been patiently waiting to see get on the field, and one who headlines the three biggest questions for the Bears on Saturday.
Will Nate Davis suit up with the starting offense?
For the first time since training camp opened, the Bears seem to have some optimism regarding the health of the team's $30 million offensive lineman.
Right guard Nate Davis has been sidelined for the majority of the last few months with a soft tissue injury and a recent setback suffered in his rehab process. However, Davis ramped back up this week and it's looking likely he will be back on the field.
"He's been working to get back, and he's done that," Eberflus said about Davis. "It's unfortunate that he's had those injuries in his time here, but he's worked to get back and when he was back, he did a nice job. Again, that's a competition, we're looking at that [position]… We'll see where that goes this week and moving into next week."
With Davis back, the real competition begins at the position. In Davis' absence, the Bears have utilized Ryan Bates and Matt Pryor at right guard. Last weekend, it was Pryor who got the start once again with Bates sidelined with what's considered a "week-to-week injury". With Davis back on the field, the expectation is that it's his job to lose depending on his play, something he's eager to prove in front of everyone.
"Just to get a lot of reps at the end of the day," Davis explained. "Just to show the world the type of player I really am, especially when I'm healthy. The mind's right, the body's good , I know I'm a special player so I'm just excited to showcase that."
Will the run game shine again vs the Bengals' leaky defensive front?
Last weekend against the Bills, the Bears run game dominated en route to a 33-6 victory, along with a strong performance from the defensive line. The team will be looking to rely on the ground game again going up against a team that allowed 136 rushing yards in their preseason opener.
On the ground, the Bears found success from multiple different backs, especially undrafted rookie Ian Wheeler. During the episode of "Hard Knocks" this week, Wheeler's mental toughness was on display going into a game where he recorded two touchdowns and averaged 8.6 yards per carry.
The team also has other talented players in the backfield in D'Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson (who missed last week's game), and Travis Homer. Not to mention the team's wide receiver turned running back Velus Jones Jr., who continues to impress the coaches learning his new position. They should all be in line for another big game toting the ball on Saturday.
Will Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze iron out their connection?
The one thing everyone in the crowd at Soldier Field is looking to see from the starting offense on Saturday is the connection between the team's top two draft picks.
Against the Bills, Williams targeted wide receiver Rome Odunze only twice on the first two drives of the game. One that had a defensive penalty on the play and one that went over Odunze's head and out of the back of the endzone on 3rd-down.
After the second play, Williams was seen talking through what went wrong with Odunze on the sideline, a conversation we were able to fully see thanks to the access on "Hard Knocks" this week. The connection between the rookies is still a work in progress and everyone is hoping this is the week the two are able to link up in a game.
Matt Eberflus confirms the obvious about the Bears vs Bengals game following a drenched joint practice
It’s going to be a must-watch affair.
