The Chicago Bears won their fourth straight game of the season on Sunday to improve to 4-2. The defensive unit has put together two solid performances in back-to-back weeks since the bye, and they are riding the momentum into a trip to Baltimore to face the Ravens.
The Ravens will be coming off their much-needed bye week after losing four in a row, the last two without Lamar Jackson. The star quarterback was expected to be back with the additional week of rest, but that may not be the case. ESPN's Jamison Hensley reported on Monday that Jackson remains sidelined and did not participate in Baltimore's first practice coming off the bye.
Bears Will Likely Face Ravens Sans Lamar Jackson in Week 8
This is a surprising development since it has been over three weeks since Jackson left the game against the Chiefs with a hamstring injury. Hamstrings are notoriously tricky, so not wanting to rush him back is certainly understandable, but with how poorly the Ravens' season is going, coupled with time running out on them to turn their season around, one would expect a higher level of urgency. The fact that there isn't suggests that the two-time MVP must not be particularly close to returning to action.
This means that Cooper Rush could be in line for his third straight start. The Ravens scored a total of 13 points in his two starts, and their offense looked like the worst unit in the league in that span. For the season, Rush has zero touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 48.8 passer rating.
The veteran QB was eventually benched by John Harbaugh in Week 6 in favor of Tyler Huntley, who remains on the practice squad. The long-time Ravens backup who is on his second stint with the franchise will likely be elevated in Jackson's absence, could get an opportunity if the Ravens once again get off to a poor start.
For the Bears, this is obviously an excellent opportunity. Dennis Allen's unit already climbed up to 25th in the league in both points and yards allowed after their best defensive performance of the season against the Saints. The Bears forced the Saints into four turnovers and had four sacks in the game, keeping them to 14 points.
Going up against Lamar Jackson-less Baltimore gives them a chance to have an even better defensive showing. The Ravens still have offensive weapons like Zay Flowers and Derrick Henry, but they won't be unlocked unless Jackson is back. For now, that doesn't seem like it will be in the cards.