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INDIANAPOLIS – The Bears and Colts are driving distance from each other. A breezy (and completely flat) jaunt down the I-65 will take you to Indy, a route hundreds of Bears fans will surely make in advance of Sunday afternoon’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Proximity prompts the clubs face each other a bunch during the preseason, but regular-season affairs are less frequent due to differing conferences. This is a year where a face-off that counts comes set, leading to a matchup both teams kinda need to win despite it being early in the season.

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The winless Colts are victory starved. Going 0-3 isn’t an NFL death sentence, but it’s not far off. The Bears (1-1) must start stacking wins during a four-game run against teams that currently don’t have a victory, a crucial endeavor before things get far harder during the season’s second half.

Oddsmakers consider this game essentially a pick ‘em, meaning there are plenty of variables that could turn the tides in this result. Let’s explore five questions that could dictate which team comes out on top:

1. Can Bears, D’Andre Swift, get the run game going?

The Colts have given up an average of 237 rushing yards per game this season. That number is so big I had to fact check it a third time before including this story. We can talk small sample sizes and all that, but, dang. That’s a lot.

You know what isn’t? Bears rushing numbers. They’re averaging 77 rushing yards per game. If you take away Caleb Williams’ scramble work (or designed runs) and a DJ Moore carry, the Bears are producing 2.48 yards per carry on traditional rushes. That’s largely due to a Bears offensive line has looked confused at times and out of sync with feature back D’Andre Swift on several occasions.

Something has to give in this matchup. This seems like a golden opportunity for the Bears run game to get right. As left tackle Braxton Jones put it earlier this week, the Bears offensive linemen have taken turns doing the wrong thing. The group isn’t without talent. It just hasn’t worked well together in a new scheme and with a new running back.

It seems wise to attack a Colts run defense now without DeForest Buckner – he was placed on injured reserve this week – either with Swift or more physical runners Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. Some tough, between-the-tackles runs early with the bigger guys might open up lanes for Swift in the second half. Running the ball well could set the entire Bears offense up to get on track and take pressure off the passing game.

2. Will the Bears protect Caleb?

If the Bears can positively answer the question asked above, this endeavor gets a whole lot easier. Week 2 was a low point for an offensive line and larger pass projection unit that allowed 37 quarterback pressures, 11 hits and seven sacks.

In order for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to perform as he’s capable, he needs some help from his teammates. That starts with those up front, giving him time to throw.

Having left guard Teven Jenkins available after he suffered a deep thigh bruise in Week 2 is a plus. The right guard spot continues to be an issue, with Nate Davis now questionable. Right tackle Darnell Wright simply has to perform better, though Bears tackles dealing with Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter in Week 2 might rank among the toughest tasks they face all season. Their work assignments should be easier come Sunday.

Teams will continue to blitz until the Bears prove they can stop it, so the line, Williams and his receivers must take advantage of the areas exposed by the blitz (and run well) to slow the pressure. If protection gets stabilized, Williams will have a chance to do his thing and get the Bears offense going.

3. How significant is the Jonathan Taylor effect?

This Jonathan Taylor guy…he’s that dude. He had 103 rushing yards against the Packers…on 12 carries. To borrow from Bluey – yep, I’ve got kids – for real life. The Bears have been good against the run, save the opening half of Week 1 against Titans runner Tony Pollard.

Taylor is a tough, physical back who can take over a game if allowed. He can wear you down over a high volume of carries, but getting on the right side of the score line and keeping the Colts in tough third-down situations with good play on earlier downs can mitigate the Taylor effect.

It will be important, especially early in the game, to make Taylor work for every yard. That’s a whole team effort, but the front seven can take control by closing gaps and tackling hard. That’s within the Bears wheelhouse, but still a difficult prospect that will play a major factor in this game.

4. Can an opportunistic Bears defense prey on Anthony Richardson?

Last year’s No. 3 overall NFL draft pick has so much talent. Have you seen him run? Did you know he can absolutely chuck it, to the tune of 60-plus yards? Yeah. The Bears better be ready.

They should also be ready for him to make some high-risk, low-percentage throws that can get picked. The Bears are excellent capitalizing on mistakes, especially when the pass rush makes a quarterback run.

The back five is second to essentially no one, and this secondary is aggressive as any you’ll find. If the Bears can avoid blown coverages and recognize when to make a play, interceptions could prove a deciding factor in what should be a close game.

5. How can Rome Odunze impact this game?

Playing receiver as a rookie in the NFL is no easy task. Not even for a top 10 pick. There’s so much involved in that position, from a mental, physical and precision perspective. Even the smallest error in one of those areas can make you unavailable.

Now imagine dealing with all those factors with a sprained MCL. That’s what Rome Odunze is dealing with early in his NFL career. We’ve talked a ton about Caleb Williams leaning on his offensive line, but his receivers will play a factor in helping a quarterback, too. Williams needs some available on-schedule targets and he needs his receivers to make some big plays down the field. With Keenan Allen out, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze need to step up. We know Moore will be that guy, but Odunze also must make some big plays. If he’s a threat and even an asset on non-perfect throws, this passing game could ignite in a way that was expected but hasn’t yet been seen thus far.

Follow Bears Insider Scott Bair on X @ScottBairNFL. Also, Bair Mail is coming! Join the conversation by submitting a mailbag question or comment to mailbag@marqueesportsnetwork.com for a chance to be included in this new content series.