The Bears will host the Cleveland Browns this week on an extremely chilly day at Soldier Field. With wind chill set to send temperatures under 0 degrees, we’re in line for a classic ground and pound football game. The Browns (3-10) are losers of 5 of their last 6, the Bears (9-4) winners of 5 of their past 6. Cleveland’s defense is elite-ranked 2nd in PFF overall defensive grade-while its offense is one of the worst in the NFL-31st in yards per play. Well into the playoff hunt, this is a game that would qualify as “must-win” for the Bears following a tough loss in Green Bay.
It will be interesting to see how well the Bears run game is able to operate. It is elite operation, but Cleveland has been exceptional at defending the run this season. This is a strength-on-strength matchup. Another storyline involves superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett of the Browns. He is set to shatter the NFL single-season sack record. Sitting at 20 sacks with 4 games still remaining, he should easily break the record mark of 22.5 (although hopefully not this week).
Additionally, Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is coming off of the best performance of his young career-having thrown for 364 yards and 3 TDs last week. He’ll be looking to keep the hot streak going.
Keys to the Game
Bears
- Take Advantage of Young Quarterback
The Bears need to take advantage of Shedeur. Although he played well last week, he is still a rookie quarterback that only has three NFL starts under his belt. This week he’ll be facing the defense that has the most interceptions on the year, and it needs to feel like it. Preferably, Chicago is able to pick him off earlier rather than later. Sanders is a player that feeds off of confidence; Chicago can’t let him get it early.
- Get Rome and DJ Involved
Chicago has to start getting WRs D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze (assuming he plays through his “Questionable” injury designation) involved again. After finding paydirt 5 times in the first 4 games of the season, Rome only has 1 touchdown in his last 8 games. Moore is on pace to have the least productive season of his career. The talent is there; the passing game is just not where it needs to be. Against an average pass defense, maybe the Bears can getting the wide receivers going despite the subzero temperatures.
Browns
- Force Bears to Pass
The Bears have been leaning on their impressive run game this season. Taking this weapon away from them would force them to rely on the pass, which has room to improve. On top of that, the weather on Sunday doesn’t lend itself towards big passing numbers. Cleveland allows the 3rd-least yards per carry, while Chicago gains the 5th-most yards per carry. This is a strength on strength matchup that will probably decide the outcome of the game.
- Make Williams Uncomfortable
If the Browns pass rush can put consistent pressure on Caleb Williams, it could have a significant effect on the game. Last week in Green Bay, the Packers-although they only record one sack-were able to produce constant pressure. You could just feel it while watching the game, and it certainly had an affect on Williams. The Bears have been really good at avoiding sacks this year. If Myles Garrett and Cleveland are able to get home a few times, it would set Chicago’s offense back to a place where it normally doesn’t find itself.