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The Atlanta Falcons missed a chance to defeat an undermanned Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, but they might have a similar opportunity in Week 6 when the Chicago Bears visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Just a week after losing an overtime home game to a Ravens team without Lamar Jackson and Trey Hendrickson, the Bears could be without two key players.
Quarterback Caleb Williams has been sidelined for the past three games due to a hamstring injury, and defensive end Montez Sweat has been suspended by the NFL for using performance-enhancing substances.
Sweat has recorded seven tackles, four quarterback hits, and two sacks in the Bears' first five games, but the former Pro Bowl pass rusher led the team with 10 sacks last season.
He had missed only one game over the previous four seasons, making this suspension particularly untimely for Chicago.
The suspension comes just days after the Bears lost defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo to a quad injury.
Odeyingbo's status for Sunday is uncertain, but he ranks second on the team in sacks (three) and third in tackles for loss (three).
The Bears, who hold a 3-2 record, are coming off their worst defensive showing of the season, allowing 31 points and 428 total yards to the Green Bay Packers.
If Michael Penix Jr. is ready to play, the Falcons will aim to replicate that success.
Meanwhile, Williams might return this week. Bears head coach Ben Johnson said Sunday that his quarterback is close to being available.
Williams returned to practice last Friday but was limited and inactive on Sunday.
With Williams out, the Bears relied on backup quarterbacks Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum.
The duo went 2-1, passing for 762 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions, but they struggled against Green Bay in Week 5.
Bagent was unable to push the ball downfield, completing 2 of 8 passes for 24 yards and two interceptions on throws of more than five air yards, and was benched in favor of Keenum, who finished with 108 yards and an interception in relief.
The Falcons' defense faded late against a backup quarterback on Sunday. Tyler Huntley completed all 11 of his passes for 80 yards and two total touchdowns (one rushing) on the Ravens' final two drives, and Atlanta will seek redemption in Week 6.
Enjoy our content? Make FalconsOnSI a Preferred Source to see more stories from us on Google: https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=si.com Garrett Chapman is a sports broadcaster, writer, and content creator based in Atlanta.
He has several years of experience covering the Atlanta sports scene, college football, Georgia high school football, recruiting for 24/7 Sports, and the NFL.
You can also hear him on Sports Radio 92.9 The Game.
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