The Atlanta Falcons win this matchup because they run the ball better than anyone else in the league. Chicago has a strongest ground game too, but the Falcons are second in the NFL with 166.8 rushing yards per game. Michael Penix Jr. said the plan is simple: “just keep handing it off.” That is the only way to win a game where the quarterback room is a mess for both sides.
Both teams have been through the grinder with their quarterbacks. The Bears are 3-2, but they lost to the Green Bay Packers 31-7 last Sunday. Coach Ben Johnson admitted that “a lot of things have gone through our minds” about who will start under center, according to Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Caleb Williams is back in practice after a hamstring injury, but he has not played since September 20. The Falcons are 2-3, and Michael Penix Jr. just returned from a torn ACL. He missed the first two games, and the team went 0-2 with Cooper Rush starting. Now Penix is healthy enough to throw, but he took a rib hit against Baltimore last Sunday.
The Ground Game Is The Only Answer
When the passing game is shaky, you need feet. The Bears lead the league with 173.2 yards per game on the ground, powered by D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. The Falcons are right behind them with Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson. Penix knows that the next step for the offense is to trust the runners. He told reporters to “just keep handing it off” when asked about the plan. This is not a complex play call. It is a statement of fact. The team with the better running backs wins this one.
Chicago’s coach Ben Johnson knows his team needs to bounce back after getting embarrassed by a rival. He said, “That story has yet to be written,” and added that his locker room has “a lot of high-quality, character guys.” He believes they can fix it, but the Falcons have the same problem with their own quarterback drama. In only five games, Atlanta saw a record four quarterbacks toss interceptions. That kind of turnover kills momentum. The running game keeps the defense honest and keeps the quarterback out of trouble.
Grady Jarrett Returns To Atlanta
There is a personal story in this game too. Grady Jarrett, the Bears’ defensive tackle and an Atlanta-area native, spent his initial 10 years with the Falcons. He is coming home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday. He respects the fans and the city. Bijan Robinson said he is looking forward to facing Jarrett. “It’s gonna be great to go up against him for the first time,” Robinson said.
The game is set for Sunday, October 18 at 1 p.m. ET. The roof will be closed, so weather is not a factor. The Bears are missing key players like starting defensive ends Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo. The Falcons have their own injury list with Penix nursing a rib issue. But the numbers favor the home team. If the Falcons stick to the run, they control the clock. If they try to force the pass with a guy who just got hit in the ribs, they lose. The choice is simple. Run the ball.
Ben Johnson said his team has “no moping around or woe is me” after their losses, according to Sports Illustrated. They understand it is a long season and everything is still out in front of them. The Falcons feel the same way. They are hungry to climb back to .500 and a top rushing attack. The Bears have a lot to play for before their bye week. But the Falcons have the advantage on the line of scrimmage. Penix’s advice to “just keep handing it off” is the right call. The running game will decide the outcome.