The Indianapolis Colts host the Chicago Bears in NFL Week 3 action. Both teams are trying to build momentum after rough starts.
The Colts (0-2) have been gouged by opposing offenses and have been inconsistent when they have the ball. Chicago’s offense has gone nowhere, but opportunistic defense and special teams play led to a Week 1 victory.
Here’s what you should know about the Chicago Bears.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has completed 56.1% of his passes for 267 yards, 0 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Week 1: In a 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans, Williams went 14-of-29 for 93 yards, and he was sacked twice.
Week 2: In a 19-13 loss to the Houston Texans, he went 23-of-37 for 174 yards, with 2 interceptions. He was sacked 7 times.
This game offers a resistible force vs. a movable object scenario.
Caleb Williams hasn’t had much time to throw, and the Bears are 32nd (last) in passing yards per game (99), yards per pass (3.0) and yards per play (3.0). The Bears also rank 24th or worse in NFL rushing categories, notably yards per carry (3.5) and yards per game (77.5).
Williams has a team-leading 59 rushing yards, and DeAndre Swift is averaging 2.0 yards on 24 carries. D.J. Moore has 11 catches for 89 yards.
Chicago hopes WR Keenan Allen (heel) can return after missing Week 2.
All this naturally leads to questions about the offensive line, but points to an intriguing matchup against a Colts defense that is last against the run (237 yards per game) and 31st in opponent pass completion rate (78.3%).
More: Belichick questions scheme by Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley
Chicago is in the top 10 in several defensive categories: points (18.0, 6th), yards (277.0, 8th), yards per play (4.5, 5th), 3rd-down conversions (25%, 3rd). T.J. Edwards has 23 tackles, Tyrique Stevenson has 3 passes defended and 1 interception, which he returned for a touchdown against the Titans. The Bears have 6 sacks.
Chicago blocked a punt that it returned for a touchdown in Week 1. Rookie punter Tory Taylor has been busy, averaging 46.2 yards on 12 punts. Cairo Santos is 5-of-5 on field goals, 3 of them from at least 50 yards.
1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
TV: CBS, with Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Tiki Barber and Jason McCourty (analysis), and A.J. Ross (sideline reporting)
Radio: 93.5, 97.1, 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Matt Taylor (play-by-play), Rick Venturi (analysis) and Larra Overton (sideline reporting)
Streaming: SiriusXM Channels 228, 813; Fubo (free trial)
Favorite: Colts by 1 points
Over/under: 43.5 total points
Moneyline: Colts -120, Bears +100
Against the spread: Colts 1-1, cover at home, lose on the road; Bears 1-0-1, win at home, push on the road.
Over/under: Colts 1 over, 1 under; Bears both games under
Seats start at $229, according to Stubhub.
all times ET
Sept. 8: Texans 29, Colts 27
Sept. 15: Packers 16, Colts 10
Sept. 22: vs. Chicago, 1 p.m., CBS
Sept. 29: vs. Pittsburgh, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 6: at Jacksonville, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 13: at Tennessee, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 20: vs. Miami, 1 p.m., Fox
Oct. 27: at Houston, 1 p.m., CBS
Nov. 3: at Minnesota, 1 p.m., CBS
Nov. 10: vs. Buffalo, 1 p.m., CBS
Nov. 17: at N.Y. Jets, 8:20 p.m., NBC, Peacock
Nov. 24: vs. Detroit, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 1: at New England, 1 p.m., CBS
Dec. 15: at Denver, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Dec. 22: vs. Tennessee, 1 p.m., CBS
Dec. 29: at N.Y. Giants, TBD
Jan. 5: vs. Jacksonville, TBD
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