Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Here’s why the Chargers will beat the Bears.
It’s getting harder and harder to be optimistic about the Chargers. I understand. The team is 2-4 and has only looked worse since the bye week ended. Los Angeles has been incapable of playing complete football. It’s been a tough start to the season.
But there are still glimmers of hope for LA, especially on Sunday against a Bears team that’s been even more dysfunctional than them and is currently starting an undrafted rookie from Division II at quarterback.
Despite being 2-5, the Bears still have a few solid players.
The Chargers are looking to snap their losing streak when they face the Bears in primetime.
While Chicago might not be having the best season right now either, as they’re 2-5, they still present a few players that could determine the outcome of this game.
Here are five Bears players to watch for.
Joshua Palmer was a non-participant for the second consecutive day.
The Chargers had their second practice before Sunday’s matchup with the Bears on Thursday.
Joshua Palmer (knee) was a non-participant for the second consecutive day. Palmer was the only player that did not practice.
Jalen Guyton and Otito Ogbonnia logged their first full practice since their season-ending injuries in 2022.
Los Angeles opened the 21-day practice window for them last week.
After missing practice on Wednesday, Gerald Everett (hip) was a limited participant.
Other limited participants were Alohi Gilman (heel) and Deane Leonard (hamstring), both of whom missed the last three games with their respective injuries.
Here are some important things to know about the Bears ahead of the Week 8 matchup with the Chargers.
The Chargers will host the Bears on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 5:25 p.m. PT.
To get you prepped for the Week 8 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.
Ahead of the season, the NFL slotted this game with the thought that it would be Justin Fields vs. Justin Herbert in primetime. However, Fields will be out with a dislocated right thumb. The Bears will turn to undrafted rookie out of Division II Shepherd, Tyson Bagent. Bagent made his NFL debut last weekend in Chicago’s win over the Raiders. He completed 21 of 29 pass attempts for 162 yards and a touchdown while adding 24 yards on the ground.
The Bears aren’t a team that’s going to pose a huge threat through the air. But if they resort to it, they’re more than likely going to look to their top target, D.J. Moore. Moore, who was acquired by Chicago this past offseason, has the third-most touchdowns (5) and the fifth-most receiving yards (636). Furthermore, he is averaging 15.9 yards per reception.
The Bears have the fifth-best rushing offense, with an average of 141.3 yards per game. In the last four games, they’re averaging a whopping 171.0 YPG, which marks the most in the NFL in that span. Veteran D’Onta Foreman has been paving the way while they’ve been without Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, who are dealing with an ankle injury and concussion, respectively.
The Bears defense is coming together at the right time after being one of the worst groups to start the season. In the past three weeks, Chicago is top three in defensive EPA (21.99), yards per carry (2.5), interceptions (4), yards per attempt (6.1) and third-down percentage (29.4). They are a week removed from limiting Raiders running back Josh Jacobs to his second-lowest rushing games of the season with 35 yards.
Jaylon Johnson. Bland, the fourth-year player, is one of the best cover corners in the league. Johnson has the second-lowest passer rating among all cornerbacks in the league entering Week 8 (24.7). He had two interceptions on Sunday against the Raiders, including a pick-6.
Gerald Everett is a key piece of the offense.
Gerald Everett initially was given a groin injury diagnosis in an official mid-game communication against the Chiefs on his status. Later on, head coach Brandon Staley revealed that Everett was actually dealing with a hip injury. On Wednesday’s practice report prior to the Sunday night matchup against the Bears, Everett was a non-participant with the aforementioned hip designation.
wednesday’s #CHIvsLAC injury report pic.twitter.com/GiGbxiZY5r
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 25, 2023
Not having Everett this week or for an extended period would prove costly from a blocking perspective for the Chargers. Tre’ McKitty and Stone Smartt rank 82nd and 84th, respectively, of 87 graded tight ends on Pro Football Focus. Donald Parham, traditionally a decent blocker, has also declined in performance this year as the 73rd-ranked tight end. It’s worth noting that he is specifically playing through his wrist injury recovery.
In Parham’s defense, he has been a big part of the Chargers’ red zone identity, as Kellen Moore has given him quality targets. Using his size and leverage in that area is huge for LA. But between the 20-yard lines, Everett is the team’s best receiving tight end in space. That’s in addition to being their best blocker.
McKitty was a healthy scratch last week against Kansas City. Asked about that as his media availability, Staley said the decision was more of a matchup-specific issue than anything regarding the former third-round draft pick. If Everett can’t go, McKitty would have to be active. It’s also possible that Nick Vannett could be activated off of the practice squad for the first time this season.
We’ll have to monitor Everett’s progress throughout the week to see if he can contribute for the Chargers on Sunday Night Football against Chicago.
Here’s how the Chargers and Bears stack up statistically ahead of the Week 8 matchup.
The Chargers and Bears are set to square off on Sunday in a primetime showdown.
Here’s how Los Angeles and Chicago stack up statistically ahead of the Week 8 matchup:
