Bears at Bengals Week 9: 5 Questions with Windy Metropolis Gridiron

The Cincinnati Bengals are determined for a win in opposition to the Chicago Bears in Week 9, however it gained’t come simply. Earlier than the loss to the Ravens final week, Chicago was on a four-game win streak, whereas the Bengals have a 1-3 file in that span.

Joe Flacco has been taking part in nicely, however Cincinnati’s protection has continued its struggles from 2024, with the exclamation level coming final Sunday in opposition to the Jets. The workforce had a two-touchdown lead halfway via the fourth quarter, however in some way misplaced by a degree at dwelling.

Cincinnati’s bye week looms, making this inter-conference conflict a surprisingly vital one, however the Bears are coming in hungry. To get the lay of the land heading into this matchup, we tapped the information of Invoice Zimmerman over at SB Nation’s Windy Metropolis Gridiron.

Listed below are the 5 burning questions we requested forward of this week’s Week 9 matchup at Paycor Stadium.

1.) AC: What has been the most important distinction within the high quality of play from Caleb Williams as a rookie to 12 months Two?

BZ: “100% the most important concern is that he’s taking part in way more on time. That has brought about his sack fee to plummet, and it has drastically improved the Bears’ offense. His sack fee final yr was 10.8%; this yr it’s down to five.1%. That places him eleventh within the NFL, proper behind Patrick Mahomes.

“Now his time to throw remains to be increased than most, however that’s additionally as a result of Caleb has a number of performs per recreation the place he does scramble and attempt to make an enormous play down the sector, and that makes his time a lot increased, however in performs the place he’s taking part in in construction, the ball is constantly out in lower than 3 seconds.

“There may be nonetheless loads to wash up; his accuracy wants to enhance, and he’s nonetheless a bit of frantic within the pocket. Nonetheless, it does look improved underneath Ben Johnson in yr two.“

2.) AC: Are you able to give us a rundown and replace on the well being of the Bears’ wideouts? It seems that the highest guys in that place’s depth chart are coping with various accidents.

BZ: “I’m not too involved total concerning the large receivers. DJ Moore was listed with those self same accidents because the Washington recreation and has performed via them every of the final two weeks. Rome Odunze didn’t observe however had his helmet and was dressed and dealing. I believe that’s only a precaution, and I might anticipate to see him this week as nicely.

“The opposite two are extra of a query. Olamide Zaccheaus simply popped on the report, and Ben Johnson has referred to as him day-to-day, so I believe there’s a good probability he performs. I might anticipate to not less than see him restricted in observe transferring ahead this week.“

3.) AC: A giant level of emphasis this offseason for the Bears was bolstering their offensive line. How a lot have they improved, and what can a reeling Bengals protection anticipate from the large uglies up entrance for Chicago?

BZ: “The offensive line is night time and day in comparison with final season. Final yr, their line was one of many worst within the league. This yr, it’s undoubtedly within the high half of the league, and I might argue it’s pushing to be within the high ten.

“Sure, Caleb Williams has improved at getting the ball out, and that has decreased his sack fee, however so has improved blocking. The run recreation didn’t look nice the primary few weeks, however they’ve had a few excellent video games in October, and that’s beginning to flip the nook as nicely.

“Individually, Darnell Wright has taken steps ahead at proper deal with and is turning into among the best proper tackles within the league. Joe Thuney at left guard hasn’t misplaced a step and is taking part in at an All-Professional stage. Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson aren’t elite gamers, however each of them are good.

“The query on this line is left deal with, the place 2nd yr UDFA Theo Benedet is taking part in. He definitely struggles in opposition to elite expertise, however he’s performed surprisingly nicely contemplating his background. But when the Bengals wish to assault this line, left deal with is the place to do it.“

4.) AC: Give me an under-the-radar participant for the Bears on offense and defense–particularly ones you see doubtlessly stepping up this week?

BZ: “For the offense, I’ll provide you with seventh spherical rookie Kyle Monangai. Monongai jumped Roschon Johnson throughout coaching camp to turn out to be the workforce’s RB2, and he’s slowly seen his snap rely and touches improve. Monangai is a between-the-tackles runner who runs with some energy and has averaged over 10 touches a recreation the final two weeks.

“Ben Johnson is attempting to arrange a poor man’s model of what he had in Detroit with lightning (Gibbs/Swift) and thunder (Montgomery/Monangai). Clearly, the Bears’ variations are much less gifted gamers, however that’s the place he’s attempting to get, and we’ve seen the run scheme look higher just lately, and I anticipate it to look good in opposition to Cincinnati.“

5.) AC: Earlier this week, many Sportsbooks had the Bears as 2.5-point favorites over the Bengals this Sunday. Maybe the Flacco harm scenario has affected that line a bit of bit, as Chicago has ticked as much as three-point favorites, per FanDuel. How do you’re feeling about that line–particularly with the Bears being on the road–and how do you see this one going?

“I believe if Joe Flacco performs, I believe it is a toss-up recreation, so I believe the purpose unfold is truthful. I believe if Jake Browning performs, bettors would definitely just like the Bears, so I’m certain that’s why it was wager out to three. I believe the underside line on this one is that the Bengals’ protection stinks. Sorry to be blunt, however I do know you’ve all seen the statistics.

“Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson’s elite video games in opposition to Dallas, and since I believe the Cincinnati protection is comparable, I anticipate the Bears’ offense to have an analogous day. I do suppose if Flacco performs, the Bengals offense may have some success in opposition to the Bears’ protection. The Bears have each Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon on IR and simply signed CJ Gardner-Johnson for some much-needed (determined?) assist in the secondary.

“If Flacco is available in and simply chucks it to Chase and Higgins, he’s going to achieve some yardage as a result of I believe they’ll be capable to exploit the Bears’ secondary. I might really feel extra assured that Jake Browning wouldn’t be capable to do this as a lot.

“I’ll decide the Bears both manner on this one. If it’s Browning, I’ll name it 34-20; if it’s Flacco, I’ll name it 31-27.“

Our because of Invoice Zimmerman and the fantastic of us over at Windy Metropolis Gridiron. Get your further information and evaluation forward of this recreation, and you’ll want to take a look at the opposite facet of our dialog.