Injuries have dominated the conversation surrounding the Chicago Bears since their hold on for dear life victory over the Giants at Soldier Field. They have not been a good defensive club and, as expected, their offense has yet to put together four consistent quarters of football. So…

Why do I like the Chicago Bears this week?

I always like the Chicago Bears.

BUT WHAT FOOTBALL REASONS, JEFF?

• Washington’s defense is 27th against the run, 24th against the pass and are allowing 28.6 points per game. This has to be considered the most disappointing unit of the 2013 season. We can go into all the details imaginable but the Bears have no excuse not scoring between 28-35 points at a minimum. That is what a good offense does against these Redskins.
• Robert Griffin isn’t right. He is tentative stepping up into pressure and delivering the ball down the field. He has lost his acceleration as a runner. You beat this Bears defense, even in current form, with accuracy and patience. You have to be willing to stand in and take the 7-10 yard throws over the course of a ten-play drive. Is Griffin currently that player? He hasn’t been in 2013.
• Washington enters Sunday coming off an emotional, lifeless loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The only thing keeping them out of last place is the existence of the New York Giants. Chicago enters Sunday off ten days rest and a chance to get a starting corner and defensive tackle back on the field. They are tied for first. If Washington punches early, I think the Bears have the motivation to fight back. If Chicago punches early, I question whether Washington does.

ONE BLOCK FROM A TOUCHDOWN

Want to know how close Devin Hester was to scoring against the Giants? One block. And I blame effort.

DA BEARS CONCERNS

• Concern #s 1-100: Washington was thoroughly beaten by the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night and still amassed 216 yards with their rushing attack. Washington’s run game has been sound throughout the first month and a half but nowhere near as dominant as a year ago. But fans must remember the Giants were the worst rushing team in the sport before Brandon Jacobs found the fountain of youth at Soldier Field a week ago and the rush defense seems to be getting precipitously worse as the weeks go on. Add in a rookie middle linebacker making his first start against a complex blocking/run scheme and this could spell trouble for the Bears defense.
• Concern #101: Major Wright has been just wretched this season and after re-watching the Giants game I was almost shocked how often he was in the wrong position. Washington doesn’t have dynamic wide receivers but they have speedy deep threats in Garcon and Moss. Wright will be tested Sunday.

MATCH-UP OF REMARKABLE IMPORTANCE

• Jay Cutler’s worst game as a Chicago Bears was against the Washington Redskins and cornerback DeAngelo Hall in October 2010. Cutler was dumb and stubborn, a horrid combination, and lost a game the Bears should have won easily by throwing four picks to the corner. Assumption Sunday is Hall will be lined up against Brandon Marshall most of the afternoon. Will Cutler go after him again?

GREAT QUOTE

From The Onion:

WASHINGTON—Following an outpouring of criticism from across the country, the Washington Redskins announced Wednesday that they are officially changing the team’s name to the D.C. Redskins. “We’ve heard the concerns of many people who have been hurt or offended by the team’s previous name, and I’m happy to say we’ve now rectified the situation once and for all,” said franchise owner Dan Snyder, adding that “Washington Redskins” will be replaced with “D.C. Redskins” on all team logos, uniforms, and apparel. “It was a difficult decision—and one that, frankly, I’m a little embarrassed took me so long to make. So hopefully we can now put this issue to bed and start cheering on our D.C. Redskins.” In light of Snyder’s decision, Cleveland Indians owner Larry Dolan told reporters he will change the feather in Chief Wahoo’s headdress from red to a “more appropriate” shade of red.

If you are interested in a more serious discussion on the topic (I am not), CLICK HERE to read Daniel Snyder’s open letter to fans of the Redskins and CLICK HERE to read the Oneida response.

MOST INTERESTING PLAYER ON THE FIELD

• It is easy to go against the grain here but the answer is clearly Bears MLB Jon Bostic. Bostic made waves in the preseason with an opening pick-six and the most crushing hit of the entire NFL campaign thus far against Chargers wide receiver Mike Willie. But Bostic also looked an awful lot like a rookie, struggling with gap discipline and losing receivers in space. He now occupies the middle of a defense that has been gashed by opposing run games and tackled poorly in recent weeks. Yes, Bostic’s development is more important than his down-for-down performance Sunday. But that won’t alleviate the pressure of playing middle linebacker for a 4-2, tied-for-first place, Chicago Bears team.

THIS VIDEO HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SUNDAY

But I love the Zapruder-like qualities of this clip from Bears 73 – Redskins 0.

A SINGLE STAT PREDICTION (2-4)

• I’ve struggled in this section the last few weeks. My sentiments have been correct but my numbers have been off. I need a rebound stat. I’ll say: Matt Forte and Martellus Bennett each have more catches than any Bears wide receiver.

WRAPPING IT UP IN TWO SENTENCES

• Washington’s defense is one of the worst in the league but the Redskin running game allows them to spend most of the afternoon on the sideline. Robert Griffin will commit one turnover too many, leading to a fourth quarter Cutler touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall.

FINAL SCORE

• Chicago Bears 23, Washington Redskins 20

Side note: Make sure to check the links section on the right rail with some regularity. I am updating it every day or two.