This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns take on the Chicago Bears. Below, we analyze a few advantages, disadvantages, or general thoughts about the two teams before getting to our predictions for the game.
Cold Temperatures, But the Same Goal
Temperatures are expected to be frigid for this Sunday’s game against the Bears, as it’s calling for 11 degrees (feels like -3 degrees). It shouldn’t be too windy, and there shouldn’t be precipitation. The goal for the rest of the season remains the same, though: I don’t really care if the Browns win or not,
I just want to be captivated by Shedeur Sanders. We want to continue to see him take steps to put his best resume out there that he should be the Browns’ starting quarterback in 2026, as opposed to needing to draft a quarterback. For a fifth-round pick, that might sound ridiculous, but we all know Sanders is a different bird with respect to his draft story.
Sanders’ game last week wasn’t an in-game fluke. His throws were excellent, he recognized things better, and showed escapability. Now, there are much better defenses in the NFL, so the thing we’re seeing now is how does he do when there is a greater sample size? Or how does he do when opposing defenses sniff out some of his strengths and adapt to them better? Sanders really picked apart man coverage last week, but how would he do against more zone, or more pressure?
Defensively, last week’s game was a downer with the big run plays allowed. For records sake, we can still root for Myles Garrett to chase the NFL sack record, but those plays need to come naturally instead of really trying to show the wide rush in an attempt to force things. Cleveland’s lack of execution in key third down situations the past two weeks has also been pretty poor, and Chicago has been one of the best offenses in the NFL this season. This has the potential to be a fun matchup on paper, but with the way things have gone the past couple weeks and the Browns’ special teams unit continuing to be an issue, it’s hard to picture a road win here.
Quick Hitters
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz talked about the two big run plays given up last week:
“Yeah, the run defense was really two plays. It was a 65-yarder, our longest play the whole year, where we looked like Keystone Cops on that one – we ran into each other on two different times, knocked each other off – just a really bad play for us. And then the 33-yarder, I think it was 33, which was a blitz, and we got cut out of the gap, and when you get cut out of a blitz, there’s nobody that can make you right, and we paid the price for that one. You know, when it was all said and done, the rest of the runs was something like, I think like 2.6 yards a carry. So, the biggest point there is you can’t let your guard down. It’s like being a boxer and you’re winning on points, but you get knocked out – not a good result. And for us, when you’re on offense and you run up 500 yards of offense, but you throw four interceptions, you can’t say, ‘well, we were great except for the four interceptions’. And that’s the way defense is, too. And not only a big emphasis on the run game…these guys can run the ball – I mean, they ran up almost 300 yards rushing on Philly (Eagles), so it’s enough to get your attention. It’s December football, it’ll be cold in the game, and run defense is going to be important. We need to play all our plays the way we played most of our plays, and we can’t let our guard down for one second or we pay the consequences.”
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was asked about the interception that Shedeur Sanders threw last week:
“One of the things that we had talked about throughout the entire game is like, he was making great decisions, right? When to scramble, when to step up, when to throw it away, when to play the play as it’s intended to be played. Like, just continue to make those great decisions, right? Like, don’t get bored with making the right decision. You know, we had hit a good chunk there to Harold two plays, three plays before. We come right back to a run. We get called for a holding. Now we’re first and 20. We’re incomplete on first and 20. Now we’re second and 20 and don’t feel like we need to press. Let’s just get half of it back. We’re kind of right there on the fringe of field goal range. So, like all those situations that come up in a game, they’re learning opportunities for him. Like, ‘Hey, if we get half this back, we’re back in scoring position or third and manageable to continue the drive going.’ Don’t need to get it all back at once. Just continue to make the right decisions. Let the game come to you, and you’ll know when the plays are there to be made, and you’ll know when to make the right decision and, you know, find the outlet.”
Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone talked about the muff issues for Gage Larvadain on punts:
“Honestly, it’s a young player that needs experience. I think it comes down to… I mean, the two balls that he muffed were not, like, balls where he was having to track these balls and run over space to get them. He’s clearly set on the ball, just comes down to…it’s concentration and focus on looking the ball in. It’s like, just catching a flat route or a hitch. You’re set on the ball, and you just gotta look the ball in and finish the catch.”
Some other notes to look forward to:
- Even though he only had three catches last week, Jerry Jeudy had his most 2025-like game yet. I think there has to be a degree in the confidence he has in the quarterback to get him the ball in some situations. He has great route-running skills, so maybe some of that effort will be greater now if he believes it’ll be paid off.
- With the turnover on the offensive line, I’m not sure if we’re going to see the run blocking improve any time soon. Oddly enough, though, the pass protection almost seems better with some of these reserves.
- The Browns are more short-handed this week, as Jack Conklin, David Njoku, Dylan Sampson, Wyatt Teller, and Denzel Ward are all out. Several players are also questionable. Even though Ward has not had the best season, his absence will probably be felt most this week.
Predictions
Here are predictions from multiple staff members at DBN:
Chris Pokorny: “I remain excited to see Shedeur Sanders, and I anticipate the Bears having some success to where they get ahead early. That may put Cleveland in the same boat as last week to where Sanders is being aggressive and given chances to throw the ball, which is kind of what I want to see. With him missing a few offensive weapons, the run defense struggling last week, and the Bears likely to take advantage of Ward being out, Chicago should be able to come away with a win here.” Bears 24, Browns 17
Jared Mueller: “Anything is possible with the Browns, especially after Shedeur Sanders’ performance last week. That said, the Bears have a lot to fight for and are at home. Cleveland is worse on the road, and the frigid cold will make it far more difficult for the team that has nothing to play for. Caleb Williams could make some bad decisions against Myles Garrett and company, but Chicago is a ground-based offense setup to play well in the weather.” Bears 20, Browns 17
Who do you think will win, Browns fans? Let us know in the comments section below.
