Commanders Over Bears

The Washington Commanders and Chicago Bears play Thursday Night at Fed-Ex. Game is sold out. We'll see how attendance goes. A boisterous throat convulsed Redskin level crowd could be useful against a fired up Bears squad.

Justin Fields had an awesome first half against the Broncos last week. He ended up turning the ball over in the second half against one of the worst defenses in the league at present. He showed fight though. He can beat you.

He's prone to sacks. It could be a big night for our pass rush. But I've said that before and it didn't happen. I'd like to see more of the blitz from Jack Del Rio. More creative use of Chase Young. 

Chase has a reputation for being a freelancer. I can see where that would grate on coaches who preach assignment football. But I also see the value in allowing Chase to do Chase. I would move him around. Put him on the same side as Montez Sweat. Especially against the Bears. Put him in the middle. As a stand-up rusher. Why do that?

Force multiplication.

He moves to stand-up and vacates the end spot you can move Andre Jones or K.J. Henry in. Or use your vets Toohill and Smith-Williams. 

I mean move Sweat as well. Mix it up. Put all pass rushers on the line. 

But that would be changing what they've rehearsed for months now and I don't see them having that kind of flexibility. We need to play better is the frequent refrain. You've had seven games of preparation in doing what you do. When do we see the "better"? 

The pass rush should be elite. Not average.

People say you blitz you display your lack of faith in the D-Line. I say you blitz you tell me your desire is to win by any means necessary not doing psychotherapy for your D-Line's egos. Get after the passer and lay his ass out on the ground. Using all the means at your disposal. Scheduled or unscheduled.

The Defense played one Top 5 Level ball game and that was against an Arizona team playing catch-up with their offensive roster. They play Arizona a couple weeks later they lose.

I think if the Commanders D doesn't play better, Justin will have a Fields day. Maybe he doesn't win. But considering he's the type of Quarterback who's doing well in the league now, hadn't you better learn how to stop him now? 

I see the Bears, like the Cardinals, demonstrating considerable pluck. They will beat the spread. But not the Commanders.

Unless the Commanders D gets back to their Arizona level passion, it's likely to be an entertaining Kansas City Chief track meet.

Commanders 51, Bears 50.