**Rookie QBs Shine as Commanders Face Bears in Pivotal Matchup**

The performance of rookie quarterbacks Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders and Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears has captured the spotlight this NFL season. Both teams are set for a high-stakes showdown, with the Commanders standing at 5-2 and the Bears at 4-2. Fresh off their bye week, the Bears recently dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 35-16 victory in London, with Williams showcasing his skills by completing 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards, four touchdowns, and 50 rushing yards—joining an elite group of rookie quarterbacks with such stats in a game.

Williams, who struggled initially with poor protection and a weak running game, has significantly improved under offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s adjustments. In the first three weeks, Williams was sacked 13 times and his run game was averaging only 73 yards per game, but recent weeks have seen a turnaround. This resurgence has been critical for the Bears, who have relied on their defense that has not allowed more than 21 points in 12 consecutive games.

On the other side, Jayden Daniels of the Commanders has shown veteran-level performance with precise decision-making and exceptional deep ball throwing. Daniels leads all rookies with 10 touchdowns and his running game has also been impressive, posting 372 rushing yards. His decision-making has translated to a league-high expected points added (EPA) per dropback of 0.29, contrasting with Williams's negative-0.06.

As the Commanders prepare to host the Bears, Daniels’s participation is in question due to recent absences from practice. Head coach Dan Quinn remains cautious, though Daniels did participate in full-team drills on Friday, undergoing tests for his mobility and responsiveness under pressure. The final decision on his availability for Sunday’s game will be made by Quinn, general manager Adam Peters, and the medical staff.

The Commanders’ defense has gradually strengthened, ranking fourth in points allowed per game over the last month. However, they will need to counter a Bears offense that is also peaking, ranked fifth in recent scoring. The key for Washington will be to utilize their pass rush, led by players like Frankie Luvu and Dante Fowler Jr., and take advantage of every scoring opportunity they get.

On the flip side, the Bears will miss starters Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon, which may impact their secondary’s effectiveness against Washington’s high-powered offense. Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz pose significant threats if Daniels plays and manages to exploit the Bears' defensive weaknesses.

As both teams boast strong performances and improvements in various aspects of their gameplay, this game is poised to be a crucial test for the rookie quarterbacks, highlighting why they were top picks in April's draft. Whether Daniels plays or Marcus Mariota steps in, the outcome of this game could significantly influence the trajectory of both teams' seasons.