The Chicago Bears are coming off a statement victory over the defending Super Bowl champions, but their Week 8 challenge might be even tougher. Chicago travels to Seattle for a Monday night showdown against a Seahawks team loaded with talent on both sides of the football. With two teams capable of making a serious push in the NFC, several individual battles could play a significant role in determining the outcome.
From the trenches to the secondary, the Bears have plenty of difficult matchups to navigate. Chicago will need several players to step up, and the coaching battle between Ben Johnson and Mike Macdonald could be just as important as the individual performances. Here are five key matchups to watch as the Bears prepare for their trip to Seattle.
Darnell Wright vs. DeMarcus Lawrence
Lawrence doesn’t have a sack yet this season, but he continues to generate pressure at a high rate. He is set to match up against the Bears’ top offensive tackles, who will need to keep that pressure away from Caleb Williams.
Wright, though, faces a particularly tough assignment against Lawrence. Williams is dynamic when extending plays, which can create difficult reps for his offensive tackles. Keeping Lawrence at bay and giving Williams time to make those dynamic plays will be critical.
Luther Burden III vs. Devon Witherspoon
This is one of the biggest matchups of the game, as Witherspoon has the versatility to match up with Burden in multiple ways. Both players can line up in the slot or along the boundary with ease.
Chicago’s biggest playmaker in the receiving corps faces a tough challenge. However, if Burden can win his share of reps, he could create explosive plays and further establish himself as the team’s premier WR1.
Jeffery Simmons vs. Quenton Nelson
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A battle of the acquisitions! Simmons and Nelson were traded to their respective teams this week. It’s unclear whether both will immediately earn starting roles, but given the compensation their teams surrendered, it’s a fair bet that they will.
Both players rank among the top five at their respective positions in the NFL. This could be a popcorn-worthy battle in the trenches between two of the league’s premier interior linemen.
Entire Bears Secondary vs. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
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How do you stop Smith-Njigba? He could eclipse 1,000 receiving yards on Monday night despite playing in only seven games so far! This won’t be a one-on-one assignment for the Bears’ cornerbacks.
Chicago will need a true team effort on the back end, and it’s anyone’s guess how the matchup will unfold. The Bears could develop an effective plan to limit Smith-Njigba while allowing his teammates to capitalize on receiving opportunities. Or, as we’ve seen throughout the season, Smith-Njigba could simply prove unstoppable.
Ben Johnson vs. Mike Macdonald
Two of football’s brightest minds will go head-to-head. What was it Lex Luthor said? Son of Krypton versus the Dark Knight of Gotham? That’s the kind of super-star coaching battle we’re getting ahead of Monday night. Which coach will gain the upper hand when his unit takes the field?
Johnson’s Chicago offense loves creating explosive plays, but it also leads the league in time of possession. Macdonald’s Seattle defense, frankly, wants the Bears to earn every blade of grass on the field. This clash of philosophies could ultimately determine which team controls the game.
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