This Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET in Atlanta, we’re getting a heavyweight clash between the NFL’s top two rushing attacks when the Bears square off against the Falcons. Chicago currently leads the entire league, churning out a ridiculous 173.2 rushing yards per game. Right behind them, the Falcons are putting up a stout 166.8 yards on the ground. You want smashmouth football? This is it.
Ground and Pound, But With a Catch
While both these teams are absolutely dominant running the ball, the Falcons’ defense might have some concerns brewing. They were shutting down the run through the first four games, giving up only 193 total rushing yards. That’s elite stuff, right? But then Week 5 hit against the Ravens, and they coughed up a whopping 208 yards on the ground in a single game. That’s gotta sting, and it’s something the Bears, with their league-leading rushing attack, are definitely going to try and exploit. Can the Falcons tighten things up, or was that Week 5 performance a sign of a crack in their run-stopping armor?
Red Zone Woes and QB Returns
Here’s the kicker though, especially for Chicago. Even with all that ground proficiency, the Bears’ offense is sputtering where it counts the most. They are dead last in the NFL in red-zone touchdown percentage, sitting at a brutal 42.9%. Think about that: in 21 red-zone possessions over five games, they’ve only punched in nine touchdowns. You can move the ball all you want, but if you can’t finish drives, it just doesn’t fly in this league.
On the injury front, both teams are getting their starting quarterbacks back, which should make things even more interesting. Bears QB Caleb Williams returns after missing four weeks with a hamstring injury he picked up late in a loss to the Vikings. For the Falcons, Michael Penix Jr. is set to play despite a rib injury that knocked him out late in their Week 5 overtime loss. With these signal-callers back in the mix, will either team suddenly find a spark in their passing game to complement those dominant run games, especially when they get inside the 20? The Bears sure need it if they want to escape that red-zone nightmare. This game isn’t just about who can run the ball; it’s about who can *score* with it when it truly matters.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply