The Washington Commanders and Chicago Bears - two teams who picked at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft - meet in Week 8.
Both franchises have started the 2024 season well and are looking towards even brighter futures, largely thanks to their rookie quarterbacks.
Bears No. 1 overall pick QB Caleb Williams has been stellar in recent weeks, leading Chicago (4-2) to three-straight wins while throwing a combined 7 TD and 1 INT across those games. The Bears are averaging more than 31 points per game during their win streak, and will be rested entering Sunday coming off their Week 7 bye.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft, is the rightful Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner through Week 7. But the rookie sensation suffered a rib injury in Washington’s (5-2) win over Carolina last Sunday, as is currently questionable for the Week 8 clash vs. Chicago.
Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders will be available to watch on bet365's Sports Live Streaming and broadcast locally on CBS, which can be viewed through linear and cable TV and streamed on live TV streaming apps such as YouTubeTV or FuboTV.
The game can also be streamed using NFL+ and NFL Sunday Ticket, both of which require a paid subscription.
Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders will kick off at 4:25 PM ET / 3:25 PM CT on Sunday, October 27 from Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
On the Chicago Bears' defense and on how the team can get an edge: "Yeah, well I thought the thing that I really have been impressed by, not just this season but previously last year as well, is their ability to get the ball. The takeaways they've generated that comes from speed, knowing what to do, how to go play it. So that part would be a number one top of the pile for me.
On how the team’s identity is progressing: “Yeah, I think we're making progress. I think you kind of talk first piece, a foundation is being built for that, but we're not there yet. There's another level to get to and that's what I was referring to today, about how do we get to the next spot. I had talked to the team about foundation of our brotherhood. There's another level. What about our physicality? There's another level. What about the communication at the line? There's another level.
On how Daniels is preparing this week as if he will start on Sunday: “Yeah, not a lot changes in the preparation piece for him, from the early mornings, to the VR work, to meetings, to treatment and all that. And so, the walkthrough portions are for everybody. Mostly everybody gets involved in some level, so he won't be into the practice portion today, but we love our process that we go through to get ready and that's why we kind of have the themes of the day and what we do on specific days."
On what it's like being the starting quarterback for the first time this season: "Yeah, I just take it one day at a time, honestly. I think when we came in the spring, having the opportunity to get reps with the ones has helped me kind of in this transition. But again, we're just taking it day by day. We'll see how Jay [QB Jayden Daniels] feels throughout the week. But yeah, like you said, nothing new to me."
On if he has talked to Daniels to help him through this experience: "I think first and foremost, just being smart and understanding what's most important. I think early on in my career, you get very worked up about, I gotta play this week, I gotta play this week. Sometimes it's focusing on your health in the long term. So, if it gets to that point and he doesn't feel like he's ready to roll, I'm here to help kind of that. And I want him to understand that and feel comfortable with that."
On conversations with Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury about any concepts he'd prefer to work towards for Sunday: "Yes, I think that's what's really unique with Kliff, is he sits down regardless of the starter or kind of down the line, and he wants to know what you like, how you see it. If you don't like this play, we'll get it out. That type of thing. And it doesn't, it is regardless of if you're the starter or not, which I think is very unique and that gives whoever is playing the ultimate confidence, just go out there and play because he is going to call the game."
On what he has seen from Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams at the professional level: "Yeah. Tremendous person, competitor, freaky talent, watching the stuff you do in practice and in the games. His ability, his feel, really, really special. I mean, he's going to be one of the top guys in the league for a lot of years, and so that was cool to get to spend time with him last year.”
On how his responsibilities have changed with the possibility QB Jayden Daniels does not play on Sunday: "Yeah, I mean, DQ [Head Coach Dan Quinn] set up a great plan. I won't get into the details of it, but just to make sure that both guys are getting enough reps and getting a comfort level with the plays were going to have in that they can go operate.
On if Daniels' injury affects how he plans to call plays: "Yeah, I think that's part of what we all have to figure out. When it comes down to making the decision if he's going to play or not, it's like you want him to be able to play his game, but you want to almost protect him from himself at times because he's going to play a certain way.