The Chicago Bears are preparing to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, seeking to halt a losing streak after a 31-7 defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers last week. The Bears enter the matchup with a 3-2 record and are aiming to avoid consecutive losses for the third time under head coach Ben Johnson, who has demonstrated an ability to rally the team quickly following setbacks.

During Johnson’s tenure, the Bears have shown resilience, posting a 5-2 record in games immediately following a loss. This capacity to adjust and refocus has been a notable element of the team’s approach, contributing to their relative success in Johnson’s first full season. The Bears have experienced two separate two-game losing streaks, at the beginning and end of the 2025 campaign, and the staff and players remain focused on maintaining momentum moving forward.

Tight end Cole Kmet emphasized that the coaching staff does not drastically alter their strategy in response to defeats. “We don’t change anything,” Kmet said, noting that the team sticks to its planned approach and addresses weaknesses with urgency but without panic.

One significant factor for the Bears this week is the anticipated return of quarterback Caleb Williams, who has missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury. His presence is expected to rejuvenate the passing game, which has struggled to generate explosive plays. Over the past three contests, the Bears have recorded only three pass plays of 25 yards or more, compared with the Packers’ six last week alone. Williams’ ability to stretch the field should help open running lanes and diversify the offense.

However, the team faces challenges on defense as well. Defensive end Montez Sweat is serving a two-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, while fellow defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo is sidelined with a quadriceps injury. Linebacker T.J. Edwards is out with a hamstring issue, and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is managing lingering hip problems. These absences will likely lead to changes across multiple defensive positions, including the possibility of rookie Malik Muhammad II stepping in as nickel cornerback.

Defensively, the Bears have limited 100-yard rushing performances to just three since Dennis Allen was named defensive coordinator last season. Yet stopping Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, who leads the league with 580 rushing yards and has recorded 14 runs of 10 or more yards, will require maximum effort. Johnson stressed that containing Robinson and the Falcons’ offensive weapons will require a collective defensive effort complemented by strong offensive execution.

The Bears face a demanding schedule in the coming weeks, including two games in five days, starting with a Thursday night game against the New England Patriots. Subsequent matchups against the Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New Orleans Saints will precede their Week 10 bye. Johnson remains focused on each game individually but acknowledges the importance of the upcoming stretch for the team’s trajectory.

“So far this week, they’ve handled it,” Johnson said following last week’s loss. “It’s all been back to business as usual. There’s no moping around or woe is me. They understand it’s a long season and everything’s still out in front of us.” With a winning record still intact and crucial divisional games ahead, the Bears hope to regain their footing as they pursue a strong season finish.