(2) Pressure second-year quarterback Will Levis.
The Bears registered a couple sacks with nickel blitzes in the preseason, but Eberflus has traditionally preferred to generate pressure from the front four and drop seven defenders into coverage. Regardless of how they do it Sunday, pressuring Levis will be paramount to success. As a rookie last year, the Titans’ second-round pick from Kentucky went 3-6 as a starter, completing 58.4% of his passes for 1,808 yards with eight touchdowns, four interceptions and an 84.2 passer rating.
“Strong arm, tremendous athlete,” said Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington. “We can’t afford to have him extend plays. We just can’t afford to [not] do a great job as far as our coverage is concerned and allow him to extend plays with his athleticism. We have to do a good job of making sure he has one option, he’s a one-look quarterback, and he has to get rid of the ball on time.”
The Bears pass rush is led by end Montez Sweat, who recorded a team-leading 6.0 sacks last year after being acquired in a midseason trade with the Commanders.
Top Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins hopes to play Sunday despite suffering from a torn MCL that has limited him in practice. Last season Hopkins led Tennessee with 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven TDs. He had previously topped 1,000 yards five times with the Texans and once with the Cardinals.
“This is a person that everywhere that he’s been, he’s impacted games to the detriment of the defense,” Washington said. “We have to make sure that we understand what he brings to the table, and we have to do a good job of making sure that we stay in front of him.”
During the offseason, the Titans bolstered their receiving corps by acquiring Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd. They lost superstar running back Derrick Henry to the Ravens but replaced him with speedsters Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears.