Bears defense should be put to the test by Derrick Henry and Baltimore’s running game
Chicago (4-2) at Baltimore (1-5)
BetMGM NFL Odds: Ravens by 6 1/2.
Against the spread: Bears 4-2; Ravens 1-5.
Series record: Bears lead 4-3.
Last meeting: Ravens beat Bears 16-13 on Nov. 21, 2021, at Chicago.
Last week: Bears beat Saints 26-14; Ravens were off.
Bears offense: overall (12), rush (8), pass (14), scoring (10)
Bears defense: overall (25), rush (28), pass (17), scoring (25)
Ravens offense: overall (22), rush (10), pass (28), scoring (16)
Ravens defense: overall (30), rush (26), pass (28), scoring (32)
Turnover differential: Bears plus-11; Ravens minus-7.
QB Caleb Williams. The Bears need more from their quarterback after the running game and defense bailed him out last week. Williams had his worst game of the season, setting season lows for yards (172), completion rate (57.7 percent) and passer rating (61.7). It was a big step back after he helped Chicago squeeze out 25-24 wins at both Las Vegas and Washington.
LB Roquan Smith. He transformed Baltimore’s defense when he was traded from Chicago to the Ravens in 2022. And when he missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, the middle of the defense was in rough shape. Smith was able to practice this week.
Chicago’s defense vs. Baltimore’s running game. Whether Lamar Jackson (hamstring) plays or not, he might not be at completely full strength, so look for the Ravens to try to get Derrick Henry going. Although the Bears have won four straight, their defense isn’t as strong as some of the other teams Baltimore has faced.
Bears: DT Grady Jarrett (knee) has missed the past three games. ... CB Tyrique Stevenson (shoulder) and TE Cole Kmet (back) left against New Orleans. ... K Cairo Santos (right thigh) sat out the past two games, with Jake Moody filling in for him.
Ravens: With Jackson (hamstring) back, although limited, Baltimore had all its top players practice at some point this week.
Four of the teams’ seven meetings have been decided by four points or fewer, including a pair of overtime games Chicago won in 2013 and 2017. ... The Ravens won the most recent meeting four years ago, when Tyler Huntley played in place of Jackson.
Henry has had some quiet games this season, but he surpassed 100 yards rushing against the Rams and seems like a good option for a productive day against this Chicago defense.
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