The Chicago Bears have an opportunity to get their offense back on track in Week 6, but they must take advantage of a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Despite Atlanta’s strong run defense entering Week 5, Baltimore exposed vulnerabilities in the defensive front with a powerful ground attack. Chicago has a rushing duo capable of replicating that success if Kyle Monangai returns from injury and the offense executes its game plan.
However, the Bears cannot afford another turnover-filled performance. Atlanta thrives on creating takeaways and turning defensive opportunities into points, making ball security a critical factor in this matchup. Chicago’s ability to establish the run while protecting the football could determine whether it rebounds from its disappointing Week 5 loss to Green Bay.
Bears Have a Duo That Can Expose Shaky Falcons’ Defensive Front
In Week 5, the Falcons faced a Baltimore Ravens team with one objective: pound the rock. Atlanta entered the game ranked first in the league in rushing yards allowed, but nobody told Derrick Henry that. He and Justice Hill led Baltimore to 208 rushing yards in a 30-23 victory, exposing vulnerabilities in a defensive front that had otherwise excelled against the run.
The Bears have a strong rushing duo in Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift that could exploit those weaknesses. Atlanta will likely try to replicate Green Bay’s approach, but head coach Ben Johnson must prepare his offense to counter it. Chicago missed Monangai against the Packers after he suffered an injury, limiting the team’s ability to establish its ground game. Johnson hinted as much after the loss on Sunday.
“We kind of went into the game with a little bit less in the running back room than we normally do with Monangai being active and going,” Johnson said in his postgame press conference. “and so [we were] looking to spread the load a little bit and didn’t quite get as much out of that as we had hoped.”
If Monangai returns in Week 6, the Bears could rediscover the rushing attack that averaged nearly 200 yards per game entering Week 5.
Bears Will Need to Play Clean Football Against Opportunistic Falcons Defense
Dan Powers USAToday Network via IMAGN images
None of that will matter if Chicago fails to protect the football. The Bears started Tyson Bagent in Week 5 despite his struggles as a road starter, and the decision contributed to another difficult outing. Chicago hopes Caleb Williams will return in Week 6 after participating in limited practices last week. If he cannot play, the Bears will face another critical decision at quarterback. Regardless of who starts under center, ball security must remain a top priority.
Atlanta is an opportunistic team that thrives on forcing turnovers and turning them into scoring opportunities. The Ravens learned that lesson last week when the Falcons forced a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. Chicago’s five turnovers against Green Bay proved costly, and Johnson must find a way to get his team to take better care of the football.
The Bears have a potential advantage in the ground game, but they cannot capitalize on it if they repeatedly give Atlanta extra possessions. Establishing the run, limiting mistakes and keeping the Falcons’ defense off the scoreboard will be essential if Chicago hopes to leave Atlanta with a victory.
