Bears vs. Commanders NFL Week 5: Chicago’s historic defensive ineptitude favored to continue
The Chicago Bears are not only on a franchise-record 14-game losing streak under very embattled head coach Matt Eberflus, they have allowed at least 25 points in 14 consecutive games, an #NFL unwanted all-time record. Eberflus is a defensive-minded head coach who now serves as de facto defensive coordinator as well, so it’s all on him. The Bears are at the Washington Commanders on Thursday night and the #Commanders are set at over/under 25.5 points and are 6-point favorites so both trends may continue.
Chicago (0-4, 0-3-1 ATS) played easily its best offensive game of the season Sunday but blew a 21-point third-quarter lead at home to Denver, which also entered at 0-3, and lost 31-28. It was the largest blown lead in a loss in franchise history. Justin Fields at least looked good with career highs in completions (28), passing yards (335) and passing touchdowns (four), although he threw a pick for a fourth straight game and lost a fumble.
Every talking head in the Windy City expects Eberflus to be fired at some point, although the franchise has never canned a head coach midseason. That Eberflus defense has allowed opponents to convert on 58.9% of third downs this season, the worst in the NFL. The worst mark in a full season is the 1982 Chiefs at 52.8%.
The #DaBears could be very thin in the secondary tonight. Second-year safety Kyler Gordon is on injured reserve, while fellow safety Eddie Jackson will miss a third straight game Thursday. Top cornerback Jaylon Johnson will miss a second in a row. And perhaps the most talented overall player on the defense, safety Jaquan Brisker, tweaked his hamstring Wednesday and is questionable.
Washington’s defense hasn’t been much better, allowing 30.0 points per game (fourth most in league) and 13 plays of at least 25 yards (T-most in NFL). Yet the total is a low 44.5 points.
When the teams played on a Thursday night in October 2022 in Chicago, the Commanders won 12-7 with Carson Wentz at QB. Fields threw for 190 yards with a TD and pick. He has just one victory since then and his personal 12-game losing streak is the sixth-longest since 1970 by a first-round QB.
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