Second-year quarterbacks, rookie head coaches, and veteran defensive coordinators are set to square off in Week 7 as Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears take on Spencer Rattler and the New Orleans Saints. 

Head Coaches Ben Johnson and Kellen Moore are former offensive coordinators. Their defensive coordinators, Dennis Allen and Brandon Staley, are former NFL Head Coaches themselves, with Allen coaching the Saints from 2022 to 2024. This will be a gritty, hard-fought war between two teams with something to prove. The following defensive players will be keys to victory for their respective team in Week 7.

Alontae Taylor, Cornerback, Saints

28-year-old Olamide Zaccheaus signed a one-year contract to be Chicago’s primary slot receiver for 2025. However, Ben Johnson likes to move his receivers around the formation, creating confusion and mismatches. 

Chicago’s breakout wide receiver, Rome Odunze, ran 47.2% of his routes out of the slot in Weeks 4 and 6. DJ Moore has lined up in the slot on a third of his routes this season. Rookie YAC specialist Luther Burden III worked out of the slot on 46.7% of his snaps in Chicago’s last game.

Even if DJ Moore misses the contest, slot corner Alontae Taylor will have his hands full in coverage with the quick and physical 5-foot-8 Zaccheaus, the tackle-breaking, playmaking Burden III, and the big-bodied, big-play threat Odunze.

Kevin Byard, Safety, Bears

New Orleans established a deep passing game for the first time in Week 5. Rashid Shaheed recorded an 87-yard touchdown reception over the middle of the field. In Week 6, the Saints opened the game with a 53-yard bomb down the sideline to Chris Olave.

Veteran safety Kevin Byard will be tasked with eliminating chunk plays. Once an elite safety in the NFL, the 33-year-old struggled to find his footing in the early weeks. Byard has turned back the clock in recent weeks, logging three interceptions over his last three games, including a Week 6 performance that saw him grab two interceptions and earn a 94.1 PFF Grade.

TJ Edwards, Linebacker, Bears

Edwards, who had been out since Week 2 with a hamstring injury, returned to the field in Week 6. He was a huge addition to Chicago’s defense, racking up nine tackles while having a nose for the ball. He recorded a team-high four stops and 89.0 PFF Grade. It was Edwards’ highest graded game since Week 10 of last year.

Edwards will play a critical role in stopping the run as well as covering Alvin Kamara and Juwan Johnson on passing downs. He will force the Saints’ second-year signal caller to throw into some tight windows.

Chase Young, Edge Rusher, Saints

Ben Johnson made a significant change to the Bears’ offensive line in Week 6, benching left tackle Braxton Jones for undrafted free agent signing Theo Benedet. Benedet earned rave reviews in his first start, but may suffer a different fate in his second.

Chase Young returned for the Saints in Week 6 and added to a pass rush off the edge that had been lacking. Though Young has yet to live up to the expectations associated with a No. 2 overall draft pick, his quickness and burst off the line could cause trouble for the 6-foot-7 Benedet.