Windy City Gridiron
The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs, and week 7 against the Saints presents a new challenge for the Chicago Bears. They will be entering this week’s contest as rare favorites for the first time all season. How will they respond under Ben Johnson as favorites?
In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I believe to be integral to their respective team’s success. Like seasons past, you won’t see any QBs, and you also won’t see any star defensive players like Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby.
No, these are more of the unsung variety. Yet, often just as critical to the success of the team. Here are the players that I will be keyed in on in this one.
Though he only has 12 targets, Luther Burden III has caught 11 passes, which leads all rookies in catch percentage. He also has a league-leading 146.5 passer rating when targeted and is top 10 league-wide in yards per route run, and had his highest route rate of the season so far coming out of the BYE week. If anyone reading this column was like me, his 37 yard catch was exciting because it showed just how electric he can be with the ball in his hands. Currently 4th on the depth chart behind DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheus, Burden must maximize his chances, which he has been doing to this point. That said, last time the Bears played a home game, Burden had a game high 101 receiving yards (on just 3 catches) and a score. If Ben can dial up some more opportunities for #10, I expect some lakeside fireworks. If he continues to be an afterthought, we better hope DJ is fully healthy.
When a leader on your team is also making the most plays, good things happen. Such is the case with 10 year vet, Kevin Byard III who has been breaking down the entire team before games while also breaking down opposing offenses during games. A game sealing INT, clutch TFL in the run game, or infectious attitude on the sidelines, Byard III has been as valuable as anyone on defense for the 2025 Chicago Bears and will be needed this week. Second year QB Spencer Rattler is having an unexpectedly sound season, solidifying himself as the QB of the future in New Orleans with over 1,200 yards and a 6:1 TD:INT ratio. If Byard III can take advantage of the young signal caller and notch his 4th pick of the season in the process, I expect this to be a blowout. If Rattler can avoid costly mistakes, which will mean avoiding Byard altogether, then the Saints may have a fighting chance in this one. New Orleans’ only win of the season was when they won the turnover battle. Byard III...
