The 3-2 Chicago Bears will play the 1-4 Jacksonville Jaguars at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a Week 6 matchup. Here’s what you need to know before kickoff (8:30 a.m., NFL Network and Fox-32).
Injury news — plus our Week 6 predictions
Bears coach Matt Eberflus talks to cornerback Reddy Steward during a training session in Ware, England, on Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sean Ryan)
“It was just a plant, point and drive (situation),” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said. “And he felt something in his calf.”
The Bears were already without starting safety Jaquan Brisker, who didn’t travel to London after being placed in concussion protocol Monday. The team’s No. 4 cornerback, Terell Smith, also remains back in Chicago with a hip issue.
That likely means that both Elijah Hicks and Jaylon Jones will be thrust into starting roles against the Jaguars in place of Brisker and Stevenson, respectively.
What we’ve seen — and heard — in England
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams runs to practice during a training session in Ware, England, on Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sean Ryan)
The little brother has piped up of late, and from the vantage point of DJ Moore, it’s all part of the maturation process for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
The veteran wide receiver made that reference on Wednesday afternoon. The Bears are feeling pretty good about how things are developing for Williams. His passer rating has improved in each game since Week 2 and he’s played turnover-free ball the last two weeks. Now, the Bears prepare to face a Jacksonville defense that is last in the league in pass defense, allowing an average of 287.8 passing yards per game.
“It’s amazing,” Moore said. “He’s taken those strides that he needs to. He’s been bossy lately, telling us that we need to be in on the details. We really do for him to be the best player he needs to be.”
‘It’s planes, trains, automobiles — all that stuff’
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus speaks during an interview after a training session in Ware, England, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, ahead of the game between Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Sunday. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Coach Matt Eberflus and his staff determined a Monday night departure to London would be best for the players and coaches, allowing them ample time to adjust to the six-hour time difference. Eberflus said he went to Italy over the summer and found out how difficult it can be to get over jet lag.
“Just to get over there and get our clocks right,” Eberflus said. “That’s the big science part of it.”
Eberflus’ weeklong schedule is a change from what the Bears did in 2019 under former coach Matt Nagy for a Sunday night game against the then-Oakland Raiders. Those Bears took a Thursday night flight that arrived Friday morning and had one practice in London on Friday. The Bears lost 24-21 behind quarterback Chase Daniel.
‘How often does one person get to put a dent in the football universe like he has?’
Punting coach Nathan Chapman speaks to players during a ProKick Australia training session on April 12, 2019, in Melbourne. (Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Standing on the sideline at the 5-yard line with his back to the field, Nathan Chapman could boomerang kick a football over his head and — get this — through the uprights at the Packers practice fields. John Bonamego, the Packers special teams coordinator at the time, swears it happened. He witnessed it. With amazement. The Packers wound up releasing 28-year-old former Australian rules football player after the preseason. In the next two years, Chapman had a tryout with the Bears during rookie minicamp in 2005 and a workout for the Bengals. No offers materialized. While Chapman ran out of resources, he wasn’t short on ideas. He knew guys who could adapt to punting. He had an inkling of what the NFL was seeking and figured he could train them. He asked Bonamego and John Dorsey, then the Packers college scouting director whose idea it was to give Chapman a look in Green Bay, if they’d be interested in checking out punters he worked with. Absolutely, they said. That’s how ProKick Australia, the supplier of an increasing number of college and NFL punters — including Bears rookie Tory Taylor — was born.
About Week 5
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) celebrates as he heads to the locker room after a victory over the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus hugs Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales after the Bears defeated the Panthers, 36-10, at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) talks with Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton after the Bears’ 36-10 victory Oct. 6, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (left) and center Coleman Shelton (65) celebrate after Williams threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver DJ Moore late in the second quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) keeps his eyes on the ball after forcing a fumble from Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) in the fourth quarter of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears fans cheer in the fourth quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Bears coach Matt Eberflus points toward the end zone after cornerback Kyler Gordon recovered a fumble during the fourth quarter against the Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard III (31) wags his finger after tackling Carolina Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders (0) in the first quarter of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (29) guards Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (5) while he misses a pass on fourth down during the second quarter at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) scores a touchdown past Carolina Panthers cornerback Michael Jackson (2) during the second quarter at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Fans watch from the stands while the Chicago Bears play the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Soldier Field Sunday Oct. 6, 2024, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus reacts after wide receiver DJ Moore (2) dropped a pass in the fourth quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Bears fans point at Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) after he ran out-of-bounds during the fourth quarter. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings (97) celebrates after sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field Sunday Oct. 6, 2024, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn (57) throws Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) to the ground in the fourth quarter of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus hugs Chicago Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker (95) during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field Sunday Oct. 6, 2024, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (15) isn’t able to catch a pass in front of Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker (9) in the third quarter of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The Panthers’ Jaycee Horn, center, and the Bears’ Bill Murray, left, and Matt Pryor are involved in an altercation during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024. Pryor was kicked out the game. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears guard Matt Pryor (79) rolls on the ground after getting involved in a fight in the fourth quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers. Pryor was kicked out of the game. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (23) hypes up fans after the Bears scuffled with the Carolina Panthers after the Bears scored during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field Sunday Oct. 6, 2024, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass to Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs the ball during the third quarter Carolina Panthers. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams runs out of bounds during the third quarter against the Panthers at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws a pass in the fourth quarter against the Panthers on Oct. 6, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears defensive end Darrell Taylor (52) applies pressure as Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) releases the ball in the fourth quarter of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) celebrates with Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) after Moore scored a touchdown during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (99) sack Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) in the second quarter. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. and Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon celebrate after the duo sacked Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton in the second quarter on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) runs in for a touchdown after a catch in the first quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) celebrates after scoring a first quarter touchdown against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (8) falls on the ground while guarding Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) as he misses a pass in the end zone during the second quarter at Soldier Field Sunday Oct. 6, 2024, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) runs back a kickoff in the third quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (29) breaks up a pass in the second quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift (4) is led down the field by center Coleman Shelton (65) as Swift breaks free for a long run in the second quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble fumbles after a hit by Bears safety Jaquan Brisker in the second quarter Oct. 6, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears recovered. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (99) celebrates with teammate DeMarcus Walker (95) after Dexter Sr. recovered a fumble in the second quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker (95) and Chicago Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (99) sack Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during the first quarter at Soldier Field Sunday Oct. 6, 2024, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Bears running back D’Andre Swift scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Panthers. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) is sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Charles Harris (40) on third down during the first quarter at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus yells out from the sideline in the third quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) eludes the Carolina Panthers defense in the second quarter of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Bears running back D’Andre Swift celebrates with quarterback Caleb Williams after scoring a touchdown against the Panthers on Oct. 6, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
L to R: Chicago Bears players Tremaine Edmunds, Jaquan Brisker, and DeMarcus Walker, react after a big defensive play in the first quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) celebrates with Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) after the Bears stopped the Carolina Panthers from getting a first down on third during the first quarter. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) hands the ball off to Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) during the first quarter Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (98) pushes Chicago Bears wide receiver Tyler Scott (10) while walking to the locker room before the Chicago Bears play the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) walks to the field before the Bears play the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams warms up before the Chicago Bears play the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (right) has a laugh on the field while warming up for a game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A fan wearing a USC Caleb Williams jersey watches as players warm up for a game between the Chicago Bears and the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A Chicago Bears fan wearing a Caleb Williams jersey sits in the stands prior to a game between the Bears and the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Eric Heuser cooks brisket while tailgating before the Chicago Bears play the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Fans walk through the Soldier Field concourse before the Chicago Bears play the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 6, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams warms up before the Chicago Bears play the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Fans tailgate before the Chicago Bears play the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams arrives before the Chicago Bears play the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on Oct. 6, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
1 of 60
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) celebrates as he heads to the locker room after a victory over the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Quarterback Caleb Williams achieved a first on Sunday at Soldier Field — leading the Bears to a blowout victory.
The Bears jumped to a 20-point halftime lead and cruised to a 36-10 rout of the Panthers, improving to 3-2. Williams threw for 304 yards — including 200 in the first half — on 20-for-29 passing.
After their slow start together was a storyline all week leading up to the game, Williams and wide receiver DJ Moore connected for first-half touchdown passes of 34 and 30 yards. Moore, playing against the team that traded him away in the 2023 offseason, had five catches for 105 yards.
