The Bears head into Week 6 with momentum hanging in the balance, and Caleb Williams’ possible return only raises the intrigue against Atlanta. Chicago is coming off a tough loss to the Green Bay Packers, but the roster still has enough talent to make life difficult for the Falcons even with several defensive starters sidelined.
There’s plenty to watch in this one, and the individual matchups could shape the whole afternoon. Here are five bold Bears predictions for Week 6.
Bijan Robinson doesn’t top his season-best rushing mark
Robinson’s high-water mark this season is 73 rushing yards, and that number could end up holding as his best game again after Chicago gets through this matchup. The Bears are ninth in the NFL against the run, surrendering 96 yards per game, and their front seven is in position to make Robinson work for everything he gets. That kind of resistance would keep him at 73 yards, which would match his season low.
Austin Booker keeps stacking sacks
Booker flashed against Green Bay in Week 5, when he logged back-to-back sacks before halftime. That exact sequence may not repeat, but another big pass-rush outing is there for the taking.
With Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo out, Booker’s role becomes even more important, and this looks like a spot where he can add another two-sack game. If he keeps building on that production, it would put him on track for a career-high six in 2026.
Jaylon Johnson steadies himself against Atlanta’s offense
Johnson has taken heat for how he’s played through the first five weeks, and that criticism has had some merit. This is the kind of game where he needs to show something closer to his 2024 Pro Bowl level. Atlanta’s offense presents a real test, but a cleaner outing from Johnson would at least look like a step back toward the form the Bears want from him, even if the goal is just to keep the passer rating allowed under 100.
D’Andre Swift gets squeezed by the Falcons’ run defense
Chicago’s ground game never really got going in Week 5 without Kyle Monangai, and with Monangai out again, the pressure falls on Swift to carry more of the load. That’s a rough assignment against an Atlanta defense that ranks fourth in the league against the run, giving up only 80.2 yards per game. Swift could end up having trouble finding room and finishing below 50 rushing yards.
Caleb Williams returns with a huge stat line
Williams is trending toward playing, and the message around him seems clear: he’s heard everything said about his injury. If he gets the nod, the expectation here is a fired-up version of the Bears quarterback, ready to make a statement. The bold call is a monster day - more than 300 total yards and four touchdowns - with Williams leading Chicago to a win.
In Other News...
Bears Just Reshaped Their Defense Ahead Of A Crucial Falcons Test
The Bears entered their Week 6 matchup with the Falcons making a series of roster moves that could reshape how their defense looks on Sunday. Caleb Williams was confirmed as the starting quarterback, while the front seven took a hit with Dayo Odeyingbo landing on injured reserve and sidelined for at least four games. On the other side of the ledger, Shemar Turner was activated from IR, giving Chicago another healthy body as it tries to steady itself against Atlanta.
Chicago also made a notable change in the secondary by getting Kyler Gordon back on the field and reworking the back end around him. Cam Lewis moved from the slot to safety, while Xavier Woods was released, leaving the Bears to sort out how the new alignment fits against a Falcons offense that will force them to be on point right away. [Read more 🡒]
Kyler Gordons Bears Return Turned Into Something Nobody Saw Coming
Kyler Gordons long-awaited return in Week 6 against the Falcons was supposed to be about easing back into action after missing nearly a year with injuries. Instead, it became one of the most unusual defensive performances the Bears have seen in a while, with Gordon jumping back into the lineup and immediately changing the game for a defense already trying to hold together without several starters.
Gordons impact went well beyond just being active again, and it came in ways few would have predicted for a cornerback. His pressure off the edge kept Atlanta off balance and gave Chicago a much-needed spark on a day when the Bears needed every healthy body they could get, leaving his return as the kind of storyline that prompts a deeper look at just how disruptive he can be when he is on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Brady Gave Bears Fans An Off-Field Talking Point In Week 6
Tom Brady was part of FOX Sports coverage of the Bears-Falcons game in Week 6, but plenty of viewers had a different reason to keep an eye on him. The former quarterback, now settled into his broadcasting role, has also continued building out his post-NFL portfolio, including the recent opening of his 19th Card Vault trading card store in Los Angeles.
Brady marked that store opening by thanking friends, family and colleagues who showed up to support him, another sign of how far his off-field reach has expanded since retiring in 2022. For Bears fans, his presence in the booth was already going to draw attention, and the extra conversation around what he was wearing only added another layer to a nationally televised afternoon. [Read more 🡒]