Week 5 of the NFL season is set to begin on Thursday night as the Chicago Bears will visit the Washington Commanders. This is not expected to be one of the better games during the Week 5 slate, but it’s still a game that should be competitive.
Chicago comes into this game with a record of 0-4, and they are desperate to find a way to turn their fortunes around. The Bears nearly picked up a win during a Week 4 matchup with the Denver Broncos, but blew a 28-7 lead.
The Washington Commanders come into this game with a record of 2-2, but they started off the season with two straight wins. Washington just suffered an overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that would have been a huge win.
The Commanders are six-point betting favorites over the Bears in this matchup on Thursday Night Football.
Bears Have to Get Stops
There are a number of issues facing the Chicago Bears this season, but the lack of defense has been the biggest problem. Chicago is allowing more than 30 points per game this season, and that’s just not going to work.
The Bears haven’t been able to get any pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season, and they are giving up 272 passing yards per game. Justin Fields and the offense showed life in their game on Sunday, but they can’t make up for the lack of defense.
Fields had his first 300-yard passing game in the Week 4 loss, but he needs to get back to running the football. This offense has the ability to score points, but they must also get stops along the way.
Commanders Finding Footing on Offense
The Washington Commanders came into the season wanting to win games on defense, but it’s been the offense leading the way. Washington has scored at least 31 points in two of their four games, and that came against some good defensive teams.
Quarterback Sam Howell is not one of the most accurate passers in the league, but he has thrown for 961 yards and four touchdowns. Terry McLaurin is a terrific wide receiver, as he has 21 receptions for the Commanders.
The defensive line in Washington has the ability to be disruptive, and that is going to be a big key in this game. If the Commanders are able to stop the run and pressure Fields, then this is going to be a great game.
Bears Battle in Loss
Thursday Night Football games tend to feature some weird things that take place, and that will likely be the case in this matchup as well. Washington is clearly the better overall team in this game, but that doesn’t mean that this will be an easy win.
Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears are a team that can put points on the board in a hurry, and that offense will have some success in this game. Look for this game to be much closer than the odds suggest, but Chicago is going to give up too many points on defense.
The best bet is to take the six points and bet on the Chicago Bears in this game, but it will be the Washington Commanders that come away with a win.
