The Chicago Bears head to Indianapolis this week looking to right the ship offensively. How does their receiver room stack up against the Indianapolis Colts’ secondary?
Bears Receivers (and Tight Ends)
(Q) = Questionable
Colts Secondary
Bears Receivers Expectations
It’s only been two weeks, but the Bears’ passing attack hasn’t found much of a rhythm and has failed to get into the end zone despite having a few chances. The group is also dealing with Keenan Allen’s heel injury, which cost him last week’s contest with the Texans and has had him sidelined during practice since the start of last week.
Rome Odunze is nursing a low-grade MCL sprain but played last week and was on the field for 94 percent of Chicago’s snaps. Odunze had two catches for 33 yards on five targets last week. And despite the rookie dropping a touchdown catch in the end zone, it was nice to see him getting more involved in the game plan than the previous week.
DJ Moore remains the focal point of the passing attack, registering double-digit targets last week in Houston and owning a 14.3 percent target share. His depth of targets increased in Week 2, but he and quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t have much luck hooking up deep against the Texans.
Tight end Cole Kmet’s snap count shot up to normalcy last week after his baffling lack of snaps the previous week against Tennessee, and Kmet was targeted five times, catching four passes for 27 yards (6.8 yards/reception).
If Bears Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldon continues to trend in that direction from a personnel sta✨ndpoint, we should see this group start to click, especially if Chic꧟ago can establish a ground attack this week in Indianapolis.
Colts Secondary Expectations
Indianapolis’ secondary ranked near the bottom of the league in Pro Football Focus’ rankings (28th) ahead of the 2024 season, and they haven’t done much in the early going to make an argument otherwise.
Slot corner Kenny Moore is one of the best in the league, but even he had a rough start to the season. 🌳Moore has allowed receptions on all six targets that went to his coverage assignment for 67 yards (11.2) and two touchdowns. Opposing quarterbacks—one of them being Malik Willis—own a 152.8 passer rating when throwing the football his way ꩲthis season.
Indianapolis is also without JuJu Brents due to injury this week 🍒against the Bears.ꦏ
As a unit, Indianapolis is allowing opposing receivers an 81.8 percent catch rate and has allowed 356 𓄧yards (9.9 Y/C) and three touchdowns. They have zero interceptions, and just two passes broken up.
Jaylon Jones has been brutal, owning a 36.8 coverage grade () through two weeks, and has allowed 124 yards (with only 24 after the catch) on seven receptions. Opposing quarter🐽backs have a 112.1 passer rating when targeting him.
X-Factor
Rome Odunze‘s involvement in the passing game increased last week, and I hope that trend continues this week. The rookie wide receiver has a 19 percent separation win rate this season, which ranks fifth among all rookie receivers, just ahead of Malik Nabers.
The Bears’ focus should be establishing the rushing attack early, opening up some looks for Caleb Williams and the passing attack at some point in the game. If Rome Odunze can be involved in that, I think he matches up well against Kenny Moore II and Jaylon Jones, depending on where he’s lined up.
