The Chicago Bears have had Week 6's Monday night matchup against the Washington Commanders circled on their calendar the minute the 2025 NFL schedule was released.
It's the same Commanders team that sent Chicago's 2024 season into a tailspin after the infamous Fail Mary gave Washington a last-second victory in last year's Bears' post-bye game.
Yes, let's re-live the nightmare:
It's a play that continues to sting Bears fans. Players aren't immune to the pain, either. Especially cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who's still haunted by his failure in that moment.
"It still hurts because at the end of the day, I'm a football player," Stevenson said, via CHGO. "The last thing I want to do is have a play that's not so good and my name be memorable on top of all the good things I do, that could overshadow that. I just use it as motivation to come out and stay focused on all tasks, and definitely learned until the clock hit double zeroes."
Fortunately for Stevenson and the Bears, they get their chance at revenge on Monday Night Football.
It's a game that will feature Caleb Williams vs. Jayden Daniels, two of the NFL's bright young star quarterbacks, and could set up the winner for a legitimate playoff run later this season.
But what to the experts who are picking this game think will happen?
It's not great for the Bears.
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
According to NFL Pick Watch, 88% of experts polled think the Washington Commanders will win the game.
Yikes.
The biggest mismatch in this game is on defense, where the Commanders rank 9th in points allowed. The Bears, meanwhile, rank 28th.
Chicago's 31st-ranked run defense will be challenged by Washington's top-ranked rushing offense, which is a big reason why most experts think this game will end with a Commanders' win.
The rest of this contest is reasonably close. The Bears are 11th in scoring offense; the Commanders are 8th. Chicago is 14th in passing, the Washington is 23rd. The Bears' pass defense ranks 17th; The Commanders are 23rd.
Still, that massive mismatch between the Commanders' run game and the Bears' run defense is the key variable. If Chicago can level up and keep Jayden Daniels contained, they'll have a
very good chance to end Monday night with a win. However, it's a big ask for a defense that's been a disappointment through four games this season.
In Week 6, no team has a higher mountain to climb than the New York Jets. After starting their season off in historic fashion, they face off against the Denver Broncos in London, England this Sunday. The Jets are currently 0-5, holding the worst record in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos are 3-2, which has them tied for the AFC West division lead. Their most recent win came in Week 5 when they knocked off the reigning Super Bowl Champions the Philadelphia Eagles. This is a team with real momentum going against the team with the least momentum in football. That being said, every game is winnable in the NFL. Just look at the Tennessee Titans snapping their losing streak against the Arizona Cardinals in one of the weirdest comebacks in recent NFL history last week. It will take the improbable, but here’s how the Jets can finally get into the win column this Sunday with an upset.
The story of the Jets’ offense this season has been how most of their production has come late in games. According to SumerSports, the Jets have a total of 631 yards (471 passing, 160 rushing) in the fourth quarter of games in 2025. This is second only to the Los Angeles Rams who have 680. The Rams are 3-2 while the Jets are 0-5, so clearly the Jets are doing something wrong. What they need to do is start better on offense. In the first half of games this season, the Jets have been outscored 90-34. Obviously, part of that issue is on the defense. However, they have not scored a first-half touchdown since Week 1. That is unacceptable. The Broncos on the other hand are outscoring opponents 62-52 in the first half. The Jets must keep pace with their opposition if they want a chance to complete this upset.
Main Image: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Applying pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback has unfortunately been a lot to ask for from the Jets. The Jets have now gone two straight weeks without recording a sack. However, they are looking to right that ship now that they are getting standout pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II back this week. In the two games that Johnson has appeared in, he has recorded 6 pressures and no sacks. That may not look great, but it’s better than his replacement Michael Clemons. He has only recorded 4 pressures in his 5 games played this season. On the other side of this equation is Bo Nix. Nix is a second-year quarterback drafted out of Oregon. His “calling card” as a draft prospect was his ability to play within structure, consistently getting the ball out quickly and accurately in college. He’s been solid for the Broncos in his short NFL career thus far, but he has struggled when under pressure. According to PFF, Nix is 20/42 (47.6%) for 187 yards along with 1 touchdown pass and 1 interception while under pressure this season. This has created a bottom-5 under pressure passing grade in the league for Nix. The caveat: he’s only been under pressure on around 26% of his drop-backs. It’s going to be tough battle to win up front for the Jets, but if they can win it, they will give themselves the best chance at an upset.
The Jets have a historically bad start to the season on the defensive side of the ball. They are the only team in NFL history to have zero takeaways in the first five games of a season. There is no coincidence whatsoever that the Jets have both not won a game yet and not gotten a takeaway. The Broncos are right in the middle of the pack when it comes to giveaways, being one of five teams with 6 giveaways. They have only recorded 1 turnover in their last 3 games, of which they have 2 wins. If the Jets want any chance to win this game, they will desperately have to do everything in their power to force a turnover. How will they do this? The answer is disruption. Force the Broncos to long 2nd and 3rd downs, put pressure on Bo Nix, and make plays on the football. That’s a key for any team to complete an upset. Just look at the Giants against the Eagles this week already. The Giants forced two turnovers, did not turn the ball over at all themselves, and won 34-17 despite being 7.5 point underdogs.
If the Jets want to upset the Broncos, these are the keys to accomplishing that enormous feat.
I’m sure everyone has a different definition of what a ‘trap game’ is, but for me it comes down to one factor: do I think the Broncos should win this game with ease? If the answer is yes, then its a dang ‘trap game’ for me. I know others look ahead to the next week and I get that. I’m just looking ahead go the game six weeks from now when the Kansas City Chiefs come to town.
Look at this schedule and let’s examine if any of these opponents should give Denver problems. Hear me out before roasting me in the comments section.
vs. New York Jets
vs. New York Giants
vs. Dallas Cowboys
at Houston Texans
vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Scotty, yesterday, said the Broncos could get on a bit of a run . I agree they could and should, but I honestly hate this stretch of games. The Broncos in recent history have played up or down to their opponents and often stumbled in games “they should win”. Until that changes, I’m going to be a nervous wreck and I stand by my assertion that the next five weeks is one giant ‘trap game’ for these Denver Broncos.
If they take care of business, then we’re talking about a whole new era in full swing in the Mile High City. I’m trying not to FOMO over that thought.
