Good luck plays just as big of a part in winning games in the NFL as good skills and good coaching. A lot of times it is catching opponents at the right time. The Chicago Bears have done that a few times in recent weeks. They faced the Los Angeles Rams without star receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Next, they beat down a Carolina Panthers team without its two best defenders, Derrick Brown and Shaq Thompson. Now it appears the winds of good fortune are blowing their way again.
Chicago has a bye this week, giving them a chance to rest and heal some of their injured players. Meanwhile, their next scheduled opponent, the Washington Commanders, was hit with some devastating news on Monday. Their star defensive tackle, Jonathan Allen, left Sunday’s game against Baltimore. Further examinations have revealed a torn left pectoral muscle. He will need surgery to repair it and will miss the rest of the season. Considering how essential he was to their defensive line, this loss can’t be overstated.
The Chicago Bears offense is prime for another big game.
Washington’s defense was already mediocre, even with Allen in the lineup. They ranked 22nd in points allowed and 22nd in total yards. They boast the worst pass defense in the NFL through six weeks. Now, their best interior pass rusher is out of action. That is a gut punch. Replacing him is impossible. It may force head coach Dan Quinn and his staff to blitz more often, which is a bad proposition against Caleb Williams lately. He is now 32-of-55 for 330 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception when blitzed this season. The best way to combat the Chicago Bears quarterback is by pressuring him with four or less. If you’re forced to bring more, he will exploit it. Washington no longer has the horses with Allen out of the picture.
Sallie, I’m Anti-Fascist all day and everyday. 🤷🏽♂️
@Booger, that is the most intelligent thing I recall you writing. Keep up the good work. My faves: Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Angela Davis, Jesse Jackson, Noam Chomsky, Nelson Mandela and family, Desmond Tutu, Ralph Nader, Edward Said, the Squad…I doubt the ignoramuses, Bosa and Rodgers, would like them.
@David: IMO, Flus has two weeks to study film on what the Commies are doing with Daniels, what his simplified play structures and route trees look like, and figure out how to counter them, as well as figure out what new wrinkles they will bring to the table for the Bears matchup and how to counter those. After all, Erik has cited many NFL insiders and experts saying that Daniels is playing from a simplified call sheet, while Williams is checking out of plays and handling the blitz like a 5 year veteran. If Flus and Washington do their jobs… Read more »
@barry_mccockiner where did you read that? I’ve been searching and can’t find anything, almost like 49ers PR team is working OT to scrub it from the internet.
@Barry: Genital police aside, the 49ers are due for a decline. Trading away two picks to move up in the draft and then trading that player for a fourth round pick should make a team worse, not the years they lose the picks, but for a few years after that. Put the players picked there or around there on the 49ers, and they are a better team. Now, if that decline in play quality has them sniping at each other (and Deebo was already somewhat disgruntled about his contract situation), well, that’s on the 49ers admin, scouts, and coaches, as… Read more »