The Atlanta Falcons weren't sure which Chicago Bears quarterback they would face off against in Week 6. Across the last couple of games, the Bears have given both Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent a look as the starter with Caleb Williams injured, but none of their signal-callers are 100% apparently.
The Bears have been without Williams for the last three games after he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in the fourth quarter of Chicago's Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and while Ben Johnson has been non-committal on who will start all signs points to Caleb making his return.
Johnson told reporters that the former No. 1 overall pick would be listed as a full practice participant during Wednesday's walkthrough, and while it was an estimated practice report, it's still a sign a return is coming, especially after he practiced in full once again on Thursday.
The Bears have been without Williams for the last three games after he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in the fourth quarter of Chicago's Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but this Falcons' matchup has been looked at as his possible return date for a while now--and it's trending that way, especially after some cryptic social media activity.
These last few weeks, the offense down in the Windy City has been a lot more volatile without their typical starter, but regardless, this is not a unit to overlook. A Ben Johnson offense is scary enough regardless of who starts, but with Caleb Williams back, Jeff Ulbrich won't get much sleep this week.
Caleb Williams is expected to start against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6
Unlike Keenum or Bagent, Caleb's mobility is not something Atlanta's defense can take lightly. And although he may not be as willing to utilize his legs coming off the hamstring injury, they're typically pretty run heavy, so slowing down this run game after getting gashed by the Ravens will be a tall task.
The Bears average the most rushing yards per game in the NFL and are pretty run heavy, so they have a similar play style to the Dirty Birds. But with Kyle Monangai unlikely to play, D'Andre Swift is not the main guy they have to worry about. If Chicago wants to beat this team, they'll have to do it through the air.
Given he's a much better thrower than Keenum or Bagent, that's where Caleb can do damage against the Falcons. While the pass-rush can get home, but the secondary holding up in coverage is the real issue, as they'll be facing off with one of the better pass-catching groups in the NFL. They have to focus on Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, and Kalif Raymond, which is no small task.
Only five teams (Lions, Bills, Jaguars, Commanders, and Colts) are allowing more passing yards per game than the Falcons, and the personnel in the CB room is nothing to phone home about. A.J. Terrell is still on IR and Mike Hughes has been abysmal in coverage to the point he should no longer start.
Second-round rookie Avieon Terrell has impressed, as has C.J. Henderson, but Henderson's game status is in jeopardy--and Williams would be smart to hyper-target the wideout that's facing Hughes. And Atlanta's offense will need to keep up. Thankfully Michael Penix Jr. is expected to play too.
Jeff Ulbrich's group needed to lock in regardless of who got the start for the Bears, but now that we know it'll be Caleb Williams, this secondary could be in for another long Sunday.
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