Game Preview, Week 6: Chicago Bears at Washington
October 12, 2025
by Steve Thomas
Last week sure was a thrilling game, wasn’t it? The question of the week, of course, is whether Washington can follow that up with a second win, this time in front of a national audience on Monday Night Football. Standing in the way of that are the 2 – 2 Chicago Bears, who feature the 2024 first overall pick Caleb Williams. This is the guy to whom Jayden Daniels will always be compared, which is likely why this game is on Monday. The strengths and weaknesses of these teams match up fairly well in Washington’s favor, at least in some respects, so I think it’s fairly likely that Washington can get a win in week 6. Particularly at home in Raljon. Will I be right? The only way to find out is to tune in on Monday night. Our game preview is below.
Game time & location: Monday, October 13, 2025, 8:15 p.m. ET, Northwest Stadium, Raljon, Maryland; Gates open 5:15 p.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 3:15 p.m.; all other parking lots 4:15 p.m.
Television: ABC
Television announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, Laura Rutledge
TV broadcast map: Click here
DC-area radio: BIG-100 (WBIG FM)
Washington radio network: Click here
Bears radio network: Click here
Satellite radio: SiriusXM: 228 (Wash. broad.); SiriusXM: 230 (Nat’l. broad.); internet: 831
Washington roster: Click here
Washington depth chart: Click here
Bears roster: Click here
Bears depth chart: Click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Bears: 24 – 22 – (last 10: 8 – 2)
Last meeting: W, October 27, 2024, 18 – 15
Bears record: 2 – 2 (4th place) / away: 1 – 1 / NFC: 1 – 2
Washington record: 3 – 2 (2nd place) / home: 2 – 0 / NFC: 1 – 2
Early odds: Washington, – 4.5
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Washington should lean on the run game
The Bears’ defense has been terrible against the run so far this season. They’ve given up an average of 6.1 yards per carry, which is tied for last in the NFL. That means that Washington’s game plan needs to feature a heavy dose of their starting running back, Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Washington needs to take advantage of a team that has utterly failed in run defense to control the clock and keep Caleb Williams and company off the field.
The secondary needs to perform
The Bears haven’t produced quality results on the ground this year. They’ve only averaged 3.8 yards per carry, and their leading rusher, D’Andre Swift, has 56 carries for 187, which is just 3.3 yards per carry. 8 of Chicago’s 11 touchdowns have come from passes. This puts quite a bit of pressure on Washington’s challenged secondary to control Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore. If Lattimore, Amos, and company can actually accomplish this goal, Washington has a decent chance of emerging from this game with a win.
Get pressure on Caleb Williams
Pressuring Williams is the other way to control Chicago’s offense. Washington, of course, hasn’t been great with either pressure or sacks so far this season, with a middle of the road sack percentage – although they were better against the injury-riddled Chargers offensive line last week – but they need to figure out ways to successfully keep Williams uncomfortable, at a minimum, in order to limit the Bears’ ability to keep drives going. This is another major key to this game.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Jayden Daniels vs. Caleb Williams
Okay, so this isn’t a direct, on the field matchup, but the draft status of Daniels and Williams means that they will forever be compared to one another, and it’s most likely the reason that this game is on Monday Night Football. We all know what happened last year, but it’s a new season, and the stats are more even so far in 2025. Daniels and Williams will be highlighted throughout the night by the broadcast crew.
Marshon Lattimore vs. Rome Odunze
Lattimore has been . . . disappointing almost since day one in Washington. He hasn’t lived up to expectations during his time with the team, and it doesn’t get any easier this week. Odunze is only in his second year but has become Chicago’s top target. He’s also 6’3”, which presents another level of challenge. If recent history is a guide, the Bears will attempt to match Odunze up with Lattimore as much as possible through this game. This will continue until Lattimore can prove that he’s the #1 corner Washington envisioned when they traded for him.
Josh Conerly Jr. vs. Montez Sweat
Remember Montez Sweat? He’s the guy Washington shouldn’t have traded two years ago. The could use him as a passer rusher this season. Washington ended up with Johnny Newton, who has had a few moments here and there, and has probably gotten better since last year. That having been said, he isn’t a starter and Washington’s front office felt the need to spend a ton of money on Javon Kinlaw. So, yeah. To be fair, Sweat hasn’t exactly burned up the field in Chicago, making just 5.5 sacks last season, so this trade is probably best labeled as “to be determined”. In terms of this game, don’t be surprised if Sweat exacts a little bit of revenge against his former team while matched up with Conerly, who has been mostly disappointing so far this season.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful
| Washington | Bears |
| WR T. McLaurin, quad; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; Sat: DNP; game: O | DB J. Brisker, quad; Thurs: DNP; Fri: FP; Sat: FP |
| RB C. Rodriguez, calf; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; Sat: DNP; game: Q | DL G. Jarrett, knee; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; Sat: DNP; game: O |
| WR D. Samuel, heel/NIR (rest); Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP; Sat: DNP; game: Q | RB K. Monangai, thigh; Thurs: DNP ; Fri: FP; Sat: FP |
| TE J. Bates, shoulder; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP; Sat: FP | OL D. Wright, elbow; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP; Sat: FP |
| WR N. Brown, groin/knee; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; Sat: DNP; game: O | DB K. Gordon, hamstring; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; Sat: FP |
| G S. Cosmi, knee; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; Sat: FP; game: D | OL J. Jackson, rib; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP; Sat: FP |
| QB J. Daniels, knee; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; Sat: FP | TE C. Loveland, hip; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; Sat: FP; game: Q |
| DL A. Booker, knee; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; Sat: FP; game: Q | |
| LB T.J. Edwards, hamstring; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; Sat: FP | |
| RB T. Homer, calf; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; Sat: FP; game: Q | |
| K C. Santos, right thigh; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; Sat: FP; game: Q |
Steve’s Prediction
Washington gets a win here, 32 – 24.