The Chicago Bears (3-2) kick off week six's Sunday slate with a London showdown versus the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4). Coming off two consecutive wins, Caleb Williams and the Bears look to continue their improvement over the past month and build some serious momentum heading into their week seven bye.
On the other side of the ball, the Jaguars are trying to salvage their season in their first of two games in London, and after earning their first win a week ago, a victory over the rising Bears would bring order back to Duval.
The Bears are in line for a fierce battle against a talented squad acclimated to the conditions that London has to offer, and if the (technical) home team is looking to advance to 4-2 before returning to the States, they must accomplish the following four keys to success:
Offensively, the Bears' ability to protect the football has largely determined the outcome of their games. In all three of their wins, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams failed to turn the ball over, and he tossed two interceptions in each of the Bears' two losses. Williams has shown significant growth as a passer week to week, especially when it comes to being protective of the ball, and he has another good opportunity to finish with a clean stat sheet this Sunday.
Currently, the Jaguars are one of just three defenses across the league who have yet to force an interception, and their two total turnovers forced are tied for worst in the NFL. If Williams and the rest of the Bears' offense can hold onto the ball for 60 minutes, there should be nothing stopping this group from taking another step in the right direction.
While the backend of the Jaguars defense has been unable to produce turnovers this season, Jacksonville's front has been putting in work, especially as of late. Former first-overall pick Travon Walker enjoyed a career breakout game last weekend, finishing with three sacks to boost his season total to five, tied for fifth-best in the NFL.
Walker's partner in crime, Josh Allen-Hines, has also added two sacks through five games, and the two combine to form a truly formidable pair of bookend pass-rushers. Braxton Jones and Darnell Wrights will certainly be called upon in the Bears' gameplan, but it may be smart to use backs and tight ends such as D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, and Cole Kmet to help their tackles by chipping these talented edge rushers on passing downs.
