The Chicago Bears will face their toughest test yet this season as the 2-1 Indianapolis Colts come to Soldier Field. Indy is fresh off a 38-7 domination of the New York Jets. They’re playing some strong football and present a far bigger challenge than previous Bears opponents. Not a great sign considering how much they struggled to beat those teams.

Then again you are what your record says you are. None of Chicago’s wins have been pretty, but they’re still wins. The fact they’re stacking Ws without playing their best football has to be an encouraging sign. A lot of answers about who they really are should come out of this matchup.

What should people look for and expect?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTGsOrSgJvQ&ab_channel=ChicagoBears

Breaking down the Colts vs. Chicago Bears matchup

Storylines:

Nick Foles era begins – Most people view Foles has arguably the greatest backup in NFL history. They still refuse to consider him a viable starter. So this will be his latest opportunity to prove them wrong. It’s rather fitting it would be against Indianapolis, one of the teams that put a swift end to his time in Jacksonville last season.

Philip Rivers revival – Even has his 40th birthday draws closer, Rivers is out to prove he still has gas in the tank. Thus far he’s been off to a solid start with the Colts, enjoying some of the best protection of his career. This week will mark the toughest test so far against a strong Bears pass rush. Will he overcome it?

Injuries:

Michael Pittman Jr. (calf) – Indianapolis hoped the big receiver from USC could make for a strong complement to T.Y. Hilton in the passing game. Unfortunately, a nasty leg injury will keep him out for the coming weeks. That will further limit the already few options they had on the outside. This could force Rivers to rely even more on the tight ends and running backs.

Sherrick McManis (hamstring) – The ageless Bears special teams ace came up lame in the win over Atlanta.  He’s the only one who has missed practice so far this week. It’s not ideal considering he was continuing to play such reliable football. It will be difficult to replace him.

Key matchups:

James Daniels vs. DeForest Buckner – The blockbuster move of the offseason for Indianapolis was trading for Buckner and it’s paid immediate dividends. He already has 1.5 sacks and several interior pressures through three games. By that same token, Daniels is playing some of the best football of his career at guard. This will be his biggest test of the season and absolutely critical given how little Foles can move.

https://twitter.com/MichaelKistNFL/status/1310944032965758976

Deon Bush vs. Mo Allie-Cox – Rivers’ career is defined by his love for using the tight ends. His latest benefactor is Allie-Cox who leads the Colts in receiving so far this season. The Bears have had some mixed results covering tight ends this year, forcing them to make some adjustments. One of them is to put Bush on them more often. A job he’s had success at. They’ll need him here.

X-factors:

Mark Glowinski – The Colts right guard faces a tough task of his own. If anybody can be the difference between Rivers having a big day and an ugly one, it’s him. He will have to face Akiem Hicks who’s been on a tear to start this season with 3.5 sacks. Just utterly dominant for long stretches. Given how statuesque Rivers is, Glowinski holds the game in his hands.

David Montgomery – Last year when the Colts handled Foles, a big reason for their success was how they completely shut down the Jacksonville running game. This allowed them to focus their attention on pressuring Foles. It’s not a coincidence that since 2017 his best performances almost always coincide with the offense rushing for at least 100 yards. The Bears need Montgomery to have a productive game. No easy feat against this #4 ranked run defense.

Prediction: Bears win 21-20

This game feels like it could go either way. Either team could dominate. Either team could win close. The key will be in the trenches. Both teams have strengths at the line of scrimmage. Whoever is able to exert their will on the other will decide this one. The Bears’ biggest concern will be their run defense, which has looked shaky at best this season. Still, the benefit of being on natural grass should enable Foles to have decent enough protection to squeeze out a narrow victory.