Overview

• Chicago reached 2-2 with consecutive wins over the Cowboys and Raiders and climbed into the league’s middle tier in national power rankings.
• The run defense has allowed an NFL-high 658 rushing yards (164.5 per game), with opponents averaging 6.1 yards per carry through four weeks, and Washington’s ground game looms next.
• Offensively, the rushing attack ranks 24th at 102.3 yards per game, the pass rush has produced five sacks (26th) with Montez Sweat at one, and penalties have included 34 accepted flags with 13 pre-snap.
• Ben Johnson emphasized fundamentals during the bye after repeated issues with tackling, block shedding and pre-snap mistakes that stalled drives and extended opponents’ possessions.
• Bright spots include eight takeaways over the last two wins (Kevin Byard three interceptions), Rome Odunze scoring in every game, and Caleb Williams’ strong early-career line of 28 touchdowns to eight interceptions through 21 games, plus a top-ranked third-down defense.