Washington Redskins vs. Chicago Bears: prediction, preview, pick to win

Washington Redskins (7-6-1) at Chicago Bears (3-11)

KICKOFF: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, Soldier Field. TV: FOX, Dick Stockton, David Diehl, Kristina Pink.

SERIES HISTORY: 43rd regular-season meeting. Redskins lead series 21-20-1. Washington has won six straight, including 24-21 on Dec. 13 last year. The Redskins have won 12 of the last 14 in the series. The Bears last beat Washington 27-24 on Dec. 21, 2003.

KEYS TO THE GAME: The game is simple for the Bears: Get to Redskins QB Kirk Cousins or live with the consequences -- namely, trying to contend with Washington's talented and fast receivers with a secondary that proves repeatedly it cannot match up with top receivers. That's assuming the Redskins can get up to speed after a short week and deflating Monday night loss that dented their playoff chances.

Coach Jay Gruden's team is coming off a 26-15 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Monday night, and players were limited to one full practice Thursday in between walk-through sessions Wednesday and Friday.

"The physical part of it is what concerns me," Gruden said. "These big guys, they take a beating on a Sunday or a Monday night football game. You need your rest. You need to recover. That's the biggest issue I have is the recovery time going from a Monday night to a Saturday."

By the same token, it's not as if the Bears ride into the game brimming with hope. Chicago has lost two straight games and five of its past six to guarantee a third consecutive sub-.500 showing.

The Redskins will try to make it seven wins in a row over Chicago with a high-powered offense led by quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is second in the NFL with 4,360 passing yards to go along with 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Cousins spreads the ball around effectively, which will make it difficult for the Bears to target a single playmaker with their 3-4 defensive scheme. Washington is the only team in the league this season to have six players with at least 40 receptions. The group is led by wide receivers DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder, all of whom have eclipsed 800 receiving yards and have the 1,000-yard milestone within their sights.

The Bears have rarely played with the lead since Matt Barkley took over at quarterback. If Chicago can avoid a big hole early, rookie RB Jordan Howard could challenge the Redskins' defense, which is ranked No. 29 in the league with an average of 375.4 yards allowed per game.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Bears WR Alshon Jeffery vs. Redskins CB Josh Norman. Part of the reason Norman has only one interception is quarterbacks don't test him. But if he matches up on Jeffery all over the field, it will happen. Jeffery had all of his catches and yards in one quarter last week as it took three quarters for quarterback Matt Barkley to reacquaint himself with the team's franchise player. Jeffery made six catches for 107 yards and a touchdown against Washington last year. Norman has 32 pass breakups the past two seasons. It would make sense for the Redskins to match Norman on Jeffery because they could avoid putting a safety over the top all the time on that side of the field like Green Bay had to do last week. When the Packers did that, the Bears burned their secondary with 100-yard receiving days by Deonte Thompson and Cameron Meredith. Jeffery has a height/size edge, but Norman is extremely athletic and able to defend bigger men.

--Bears S Deon Bush vs. Redskins TE Jordan Reed. Reed had nine catches for 120 yards and a TD chasing down Cousins' passes while destroying Bears linebackers and safeties last year. The Bears are going to be tested by a team with the capability of going with double tight ends, using Vernon Davis, as well. Reed is too dangerous to guard with linebackers. The Bears will likely need to put Bush into coverage on a tight end or play plenty of zone to protect the middle of the field. Reed, who missed one game on Dec. 4 at Arizona and was an ineffectual decoy the past two weeks vs. Philadelphia and Carolina, has been limited by a shoulder injury, posting two catches on two targets.

FRIDAY INJURY REPORT

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

--Out: S Su'a Cravens (upper arm), CB Quinton Dunbar (concussion)

--Questionable: DE Chris Baker (ankle), LB Will Compton (knee), LB Terence Garvin (illness), LB Ryan Kerrigan (elbow), QB Colt McCoy (illness), TE Jordan Reed (shoulder), LB Martrell Spaight (shoulder)

CHICAGO BEARS

--Out: DT Eddie Goldman (ankle), G Eric Kush (concussion)

--Questionable: CB Bryce Callahan (knee), RB Ka'Deem Carey (shoulder), QB David Fales (right thumb), CB Cre'von LeBlanc (knee), DE Cornelius Washington (back), LB Willie Young (knee)

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Bears ILB Jerrell Freeman. The return of Freeman from a performance-enhancing drug policy violation might not appear a major point of relief. Freeman is an understated player, though, and remains the team's leading tackler even after missing the past four games. "I definitely think he's a good addition," Bears coach John Fox said. Packers receiver-turned-running back Ty Montgomery rolled for 162 yards against the Bears last week and the group needs a boost at stuffing the run. Freeman could be it.

FAST FACTS: Redskins TE Jordan Reed has dominated the Bears with 18 catches for 254 yards and two touchdowns in two meetings. ... Chicago RB Jordan Howard has rushed for 1,059 yards and six touchdowns this season, and he has a legitimate chance to make franchise history by breaking Matt Forte's rookie record of 1,258 rushing yards in 2008.

PREDICTION: The Redskins present some of the same challenges to the Bears that cost Chicago last week against Green Bay. Unless rookie RB Jordan Howard helps Chicago hog the ball, it's another lost weekend for Bears fans.

OUR PICK: Redskins, 24-20.

--Jeff Reynolds