Bears' top-ranked run game meets a Falcons front allowing 80.2 a game

The Chicago Bears (3-2) and Atlanta Falcons (2-3) meet Sunday, October 18, at 1:00 PM ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the league's top rushing offense facing the fourth-best run defense and Caleb Williams questionable.

Chicago averages 173.2 rushing yards a game, the most in the NFL. Atlanta allows 80.2, so the Bears' best weapon meets a front that rarely gives ground. Their passing offense ranks 27th in EPA per play, leaving little to turn to if the run stalls.

The Falcons have a weakness of their own. They allow 261.4 passing yards a game, 27th in the league, against a Chicago team that averages 234.2 through the air. Atlanta also runs well, second in the league at 166.8 yards a game, and the Bears allow 96, ninth fewest.

D'Andre Swift has 354 rushing yards and four touchdowns for Chicago, and Rome Odunze leads the Bears with 273 receiving yards. For Atlanta, Bijan Robinson has 580 rushing yards and Drake London has 488 receiving yards.

Quarterback is the open question in Chicago. Williams is questionable with a hamstring injury, and Tyson Bagent has 409 passing yards in two starts. Running back Kyle Monangai and linebacker T.J. Edwards are out. Atlanta's Michael Penix Jr. has 719 passing yards in his three starts.

Za'Darius Smith, the Falcons' sack leader with three, is questionable with a neck injury. Cornerback C.J. Henderson is out.

The Bears are coming off a 31-7 loss at Green Bay, and the Falcons lost 30-23 at home to Baltimore.

The forecast calls for 60 degrees and a 15 mph wind from the east. Sportsbooks' prices give Chicago a 51% chance to win and Atlanta 49%.