The Chicago Bears pulled off an unlikely comeback victory to kick off their season. However, this week’s test could be much more difficult.
The Houston Texans await the Bears on Sunday Night Football. Will Chicago emerge victorious? If the Beard are going to win, they are going to need everyone and good answers to every question.
Here’s a look at two big questions about the team heading into Caleb Williams’ second game.
The health of Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze
According to ESPN, Keenan Allen is already on the injury report less than two weeks into the season. Listed with a heel injury, the wide receiver missed practice on Friday. Friday is likely to have been just a pre-game walk-through practice before the team travels to Houston. However, Allen’s inability to be present for the raises concerns about his availability on Sunday.
Rookie receiver Rome Odunze is also listed on the injury report, although he was able to practice. That said, he only was able to practice in a limited fashion. The rookie is dealing with a knee injury, which raises problems for Williams’ offense. To win the game on Sunday, the Bears will need everyone.
Caleb Williams’ composure in first national NFL stage
In addition to physically needing Allen and Odunze, the Bears will mentally need Williams. The young quarterback will be making his primetime debut against what could be one of the toughest opponents in the AFC. As such, Williams will need to ignore the spotlight as much as he can. The lights will be on and the timing of the day will be different, which could throw him off his game for the first time.
Of course, Williams has played in primetime college games before. That said, aside from the playoffs and the Super Bowl, playing in NFL primetime is the biggest stage a quarterback can get. The pressure will be enormous as NFL fans get their first clear look at the rookie quarterback.
There will be no competing games for fans to turn to, so all eyes in the NFL zeitgeist will be glued on Williams. Will the stage be too big for the Chicago Bears phenom?
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