The Kingsbury Connection
The Chicago Bears walked into their walkthroughs on Monday, eager to maintain their momentum after a bye week. While conversations naturally centered around Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, the matchup between Kliff Kingsbury and Shane Waldron, injury concerns, and how the Bears’ defense prepares for Daniels were all part of the discussion.
Kingsbury, the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator, has a connection to the Bears, having once interviewed for the same position. His success with Daniels, Washington’s rookie quarterback, will be a key storyline to follow. The Commanders rank first in the NFL in points per game (31.1) and rushing yards per game (165.4), and second in rushing touchdowns (14).
"I’ve always respected [Kingsbury], going against him over the years," Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said. "I respect his offense and the way he finds space on the field, his commitment to the run game."
Bears Defense Prepares for a Challenge
As the Bears get set to face the Commanders, their defense will need to be at its best to shut down Washington’s high-powered offense. Safety Jaquan Brisker remains in concussion protocol, while Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson will be re-evaluated on Wednesday. Despite the injuries, the Bears’ defense has held strong, ranking fourth in opponents’ points per game (16.8) and fifth in passing yards allowed (1,212).
"I feel like we’ve played well, done some really good things in all facets of the game," TJ Edwards said. "But I think for us, we know that we can be a lot better. It’s a group that’s not complacent with anything that we do."
Edwards, a key contributor to the defense, pointed out a couple of areas they’re focusing on to improve, including limiting big plays and getting teams behind the sticks.
Nate Davis: On the Trading Block?
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Nate Davis is one of two Bears players generating buzz on the trade market, along with running back Khalil Herbert. The trade deadline is November 5th at 3:00 p.m. CT. When asked about the rumors, Eberflus declined to comment, but said, "During this time, when you’re leading up to the trade deadline, you’re always going to have guys that are in conversations for those trade talks."
TJ’s Peanut Punch
Let’s revisit a memorable example of the Bears executing on defense, the Peanut Punch. In the second half of their Week 6 game against the Jaguars, TJ Edwards flew in to deliver a picture-perfect Peanut Punch, forcing a fumble and setting up the Bears with prime field position.
"It’s just trying to be around the ball as much as you can," Edwards said, breaking down the play. "It’s one of those [plays] where the guy’s going down to the ground, and normally when they’re going down to the ground, they kind of have to release one of their arms from the ball that braces themselves for the ground. So, anytime you can throw a shot in there, even if it’s blind, some good things will come from it."
Conclusion
As the Chicago Bears get set to face the Washington Commanders, they’ll need to be prepared for a challenging matchup against one of the league’s top offenses. Theberry’s defense, despite injuries, has been solid, and TJ Edwards will be looking to carry that momentum into the game. With the trade deadline looming, fans will be keeping a close eye on Nate Davis’ future with the team. Stay tuned for more updates!
FAQs
- When is the NFL trade deadline this year?
The trade deadline is November 5th at 3:00 p.m. CT. - Who are the two Bears players generating buzz on the trade market?
Nate Davis and Khalil Herbert are the two Bears players generating buzz on the trade market, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. - What is the Peanut Punch?
The Peanut Punch is a defensive play where a defender, often a linebacker, aggressively tries to punch the football loose from the arms of a ball carrier, attempting to force a fumble and create a turnover.
