WARE, England — The Chicago Bears’ Week 6 field trip to the United Kingdom makes its last stop Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers, the Bears have gained confidence in recent weeks and have another golden opportunity to pick up momentum in London before heading into their bye week.
This will be the Bears’ fourth game against an AFC South opponent in six weeks. As kickoff approaches, here’s our snapshot look at Sunday’s game (8:30 a.m., NFL Network and Fox-32).
Keep an eye on …
The Bears secondary is suddenly in a challenging spot with cornerback Tyrique Stevenson now doubtful to play after suffering a calf injury during practice Thursday.
“It was just a plant, point and drive (situation),” coach Matt Eberflus said. “And he felt something in his calf.”
Eberflus noted the Bears would see how Stevenson felt Saturday and might even opt to work him out pregame before declaring him out. But as of now, things don’t appear promising.
The Bears were already without starting safety Jaquan Brisker, who didn’t travel to London after being placed in concussion protocol Monday. The team’s No. 4 cornerback, Terell Smith, also remains back in Chicago with a hip issue.
That means Elijah Hicks and Jaylon Jones likely will be thrust into starting roles against the Jaguars in place of Brisker and Stevenson, respectively.
Hicks made six starts a year ago and has continued to earn the trust of the coaching staff with his nonstop effort. “No. 1, he’s familiar with what we’re doing,” defensive coordinator Eric Washington said. “He’s an active learner, which means that when he is backing up Brisker, he’s preparing himself as if he was going to start. With the way he prepares, with his skill set, with his attention to detail, I have the utmost confidence in him.”
Hicks has that confidence in himself, too, believing the familiarity he has had with this defense over the last three seasons has given him a chance to play faster. He is eager for the opportunity.
“You play this game to show what you work for and what you put in the effort for,” Hicks said Friday. “I love playing this game so much.”
Player in the spotlight
While the Bears continue overseeing the early development of rookie Caleb Williams, his QB counterpart for this week, Trevor Lawrence, is at an interesting spot in his career, still oozing potential but lacking a winning level of consistency.
Lawrence, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, has been on quite the roller coaster this year. In June — with two years left on his rookie contract — he signed a five-year extension, a deal that included $200 million in guaranteed money. That was a definitive proclamation by Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke that Lawrence will become a top-tier quarterback on a playoff-contending team for years to come. But the season got off to a rocky start for Lawrence, who went winless in September and averaged just 182 passing yards per game with a 78.3 passer rating during that 0-4 start.
In 55 career games, Lawrence has a pedestrian 85.3 rating and has turned the ball over 62 times. The Bears are hoping to expose some of those error-prone tendencies.
Said cornerback Jaylon Johnson: “Get pressure and make him throw into tight windows. That’s the biggest thing. That’s for any quarterback. You get pressure in their face, they make mistakes.”
Still, the Bears know how talented Lawrence is and how dangerous he can be, as evidenced by last week’s 371-yard eruption in a 37-34 defeat of the Colts. See also: a 2022 season in which Lawrence threw for 4,123 yards and 25 touchdowns and was the engine of a dramatic playoff rally from 27 points down to beat the Chargers.
In last week’s win, Lawrence threw touchdown passes to rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (85 yards) and tight end Brenton Strange (4).
The Jaguars also figure to get tight end Evan Engram back from a back injury. He was on the receiving end of 114 Lawrence completions for 963 yards last season and may offer the up-and-down quarterback some added comfort.
“They’re getting themselves together at a good time for them,” Washington said.
Pressing question
Can the Bears passing attack continue to ascend against a vulnerable opponent?
Coming off a 304-yard, two-touchdown outing against the Panthers in Week 5, Williams should be set up for similar success against the Jaguars’ 32nd-ranked passing defense. Jacksonville is allowing 287.8 yards per game through the air and has yet to record an interception.
Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, in his first season in Jacksonville, uses a heavy dose of man coverage, which should ease the challenge for Williams. Plus there’s precedent for opposing quarterbacks’ success against the Jaguars this season. Tua Tagavailoa, C.J. Stroud and Joe Flacco all topped 300 passing yards while recording passer ratings above 100 against the Jaguars. The Bills’ Josh Allen, meanwhile, threw for 247 yards and four touchdowns before halftime in his team’s 47-10 pasting of Jacksonville in Week 3.
Earlier this week, Bears general manager Ryan Poles highlighted the growth he has seen from Williams in recent weeks, noting the rookie’s overall poise and increasing comfort in the pocket.
“He’s learning how to play professional football,” Poles said. “And when I say that, that means having a winning mentality in terms of what it takes to win football games from the quarterback position. You’ve seen that in terms of his efficiency, protecting the football, taking what’s given to him. And then (coming out of) this last game, now the explosives are starting to show up.
“I really like his progress. I love the work ethic and the time he’s put into it. (I like) the grit and toughness, the ability to bounce back from tough games. He’s right where he should be and he’s continuing to get better.”
‘Conducive for preparation’
The Bears put ample forethought into the logistics of this week’s trip and believe they should be optimally prepared for Sunday’s game after arriving Tuesday morning. The added runway for players and coaches to adjust their body clocks has been significant with 40-year-old tight end Marcedes Lewis — playing in London for the sixth time in his career — noting his positive state of mind.
“This year has been the smoothest, as far as the process, that I’ve ever been a part of,” Lewis said Friday afternoon. “Super organized. (It’s been) all hands on deck, making sure we’re comfortable and giving us everything we need. I’m definitely grateful for that.”
In addition to the team’s early arrival, the Bears’ decision to have their team hotel and practice facility in the countryside in Ware at Hanbury Manor — well outside of city limits — has had its own perks, with Eberflus noting a training camp-like feel to the week.
Crisp little afternoon for the Bears fast, focused Friday practice. pic.twitter.com/9gFOzbp9x4
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) October 11, 2024
“This environment we’re in has been really good, really conducive for preparation because it’s all ball here,” Eberflus said. “There are limited distractions.”
The big-picture hope is all of the decisions the Bears have made with their itinerary and setup will position them to start fast Sunday against the Jaguars.
Injury report
After missing Thursday’s practice with a lingering ankle injury, guard Teven Jenkins was back on the field Friday as a limited participant and is listed as questionable for Sunday.
In addition to Brisker and Smith being out and Stevenson registering as doubtful, the only other Bears on Friday’s injury report were Zacch Pickens (out, groin) and Jacob Martin (questionable, toe).
Predictions
Brad Biggs (4-1)
A scuffling Jaguars offense got going last week when Lawrence threw for 371 yards and one touchdown and running back Tank Bigsby got loose for 101 yards and two scores. But the Jaguars (1-4) have been an early-season disappointment, and if they’re not a desperate team (which can be dangerous), they are mighty close. Provided the Bears continue to take care of the football — they are tied for third in the league with a plus-five turnover margin — they should be well positioned. Eberflus’ pass rush should be able to make Lawrence uncomfortable, and the secondary has been playing very well.
Bears 27, Jaguars 13
Colleen Kane (4-1)
The Jaguars offense had a breakout game against the Colts in Week 5, totaling 37 points and 497 yards behind Lawrence and Bigsby. They also have experience playing in London, winning back-to-back games here in 2023, though their later-than-planned arrival Friday might shake up their usual routine. The Bears defense has to be on point again, especially considering their banged-up secondary is playing without Brisker and likely without Stevenson. But the group has earned confidence that it will take care of business. And with Williams and the offense continuing to make strides, the Bears should notch their first three-game winning streak since 2020.
Bears 24, Jaguars 21
Dan Wiederer (3-2)
This is a vote of confidence in the Bears’ “U.K. acclimation plan,” with a hunch that they will be ready to rock at kickoff. The team’s diligence with the planning for this trip, coupled with its focus during the preparation phase of the week, should position Eberflus’ crew to leave London on a three-game winning streak. The defense, even with its depth tested in the secondary, stays in its groove. And Williams’ rookie-year ascent continues.
Bears 27, Jaguars 20
