Two 5-7 NFC teams fighting for their playoff future square off in the Nation’s Capitol. The game, as was Washington’s Week 13 contest with Buffalo, continues taking a back seat to the tragic murder of safety Sean Taylor. One day after losing to the Bills, the Redskins’ organization traveled to Miami to say goodbye to their close friend and teammate. Then they had to make the best use of their time in a short week to prepare for this important matchup with the Bears. Although impossible to measure the emotional and physical toll the last 11 days have taken on the players and coaches, at least the team is playing at home. They will once again face an opponent as hungry and desperate for a win as they are, and that will give no quarter to achieve victory. I wanted the Redskins to win last week, and it was extremely depressing to see the final score and even more distressing to see how victory eluded them. I am hoping they will be successful this week.

Here are some of the questions the results of this contest will answer.

* Can the Redskins overcome the emotion of saying farewell to their fallen teammate?

* How will the loss of practice time resulting from the tragedy affect their focus and execution?

* Will the players succumb to the burden of playing three games in 11 days while trying to cope with Taylor’s loss and prepare for this game emotionally and physically?

* Have the Redskins been able to push last week’s heart wrenching last second loss to the Bills -- a game they should and could have won, and wanted so desperately to win -- out of their memories?

* Is there any Chicago player besides return specialist Devin Hester that can deliver any offensive firepower for this team?

* Will Washington kick to Hester?

 * If they do, can he again propel the Bears to victory almost single handedly with another return touchdown (or two)?

I expect this to be a low scoring contest with two efficient defenses controlling virtually all aspects of the game against two mediocre (or worse in Chicago’s case) offenses. The Redskins should follow last week's script by jumping off to an early lead thanks in part to the emotional lift they will receive from the home fans as they enter the field. This will force Chicago to play catch-up, something they have not done effectively with quarterback Rex Grossman at the controls. The teams will trade field goals in the first half, which will end with Washington leading by a touchdown. The Bears will finally get their offense untracked early in the second half to score the tying touchdown. The Redskins will settle for their third field goal of the game to take a slim lead in the fourth quarter. With both defenses dominating, the game will be decided in the last two minutes on a Washington punt. Hester, however, will be unable to work his magic and the Redskins will put an end to Chicago’s playoff hopes by holding on for a well-deserved victory. Final score: Washington 16 – Chicago 13.

I will return this weekend to deliver the remainder of the Week 14 forecast.