Details: Washington Redskins [3-3] at Chicago Bears [4-2]
When: Sunday, 24 October at 1 p.m.
Where: CBS, Thom Brennaman, Troy Aikman
Line: Bears by 3
The bad news this morning is that the Redskins, in giving up an average of 420 yards per game, are on pace to become the second-most generous defense of all time behind the 2-14 '81 Colts.
The good news is, as Barry Svluga points out, there isn't necessarily a direct link between yards allowed and the loss column, and in their defense, the Redskins have faced four of the league's top five offenses in yardage.
The even better news is that the Chicago Bears' offense isn't exactly threatening for a spot among them. The Bears are a putrid 29th in the NFL, averaging just 285 yards per game, and have given up a league-leading 27 sacks this season, including 16 combined in their first losses to the Giants and Seahawks.
It's enough to almost feel sorry for Jay Cutler, who will take the field in bubble wrap if he knows what's good for him. Chicago's offensive line can be summed up thusly: Edwin Williams, cut by Washington in the off-season, is a starter.
Time to shine? It would seem so, but the 3-3 Redskins are flush with their own unpredictable charm. Which team is closer to solving its problems: a Redskins squad that's bent and sometimes broken but on the verge of already tying last year's win total, or a once-3-0 gaggle of Bears finding their weaknesses were masked by a strong start?
Both underwent major changes in the offseason, and both could use a win to reassure they're heading in the right direction.
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Redskins on offense: Ryan Torain could play a major role this week, coming off a 100-yard day against a similar Colts D. But it will probably come down to Donovan McNabb, who already sports five INTs and bears a 71.7 QB rating through the last four games. He doesn't have to do it all, as Eli Manning and Matt Hasselbeck proved in weeks 4 and 6, but he has to do enough: the Bears defense has allowed only three passing touchdowns all year.
Samesies! The Skins faced a Tampa 2 defense last week against the Colts, so what they see from Chicago should be 7-day-old hat. On the flip side, the Bears will be little surprised by Mike Shanahan's offense, as they just faced his former OC Jeremy Bates last week with Seattle.
Keep a beady eye on: Bears returner Devin Hester vs. the Redskins' 29th-ranked punt coverage unit.
Schadenfreudian stat o' the weekend: The Bears have converted just three of their last 40 third-down attempts. They haven't had a passing touchdown in three weeks.
What will happen: The Bears won't be able to handle Washington's pass rush, but the defense plays well enough at home to take it down to the final minute. Redskins, 17-10.
