Hello, Chicago Bears fans! Welcome to this week’s prediction column where the WCG contributors give us their predictions for this week’s matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Baltimore Ravens, in Baltimore at 12:00pm
CST this Sunday. This week’s predictions came at a time of great uncertainty – some of our contributors made their predictions while Lamar Jackson was still expected to play, but also before Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson were officially ruled out as well. The Bears are down all three starting cornerbacks, in addition to Cole Kmet, Austin Booker, and Braxton Jones. Jones and Gordon have been placed on IR, which means they are both out, at minimum, for the next four games. The implications for these injuries going forward, however, are a matter for another time.
For now, here is how our guys at WCG saw the game, as murky as the available starters for both teams may have been at the time:
GOOCH: 28-10 Chicago Bears. My prediction benefits from knowing both Lamar and the Bears’—checks notes—near entire defensive backs room are out for this matchup. While Lamar is the only injury designation for Baltimore, that one outweighs the Bears’ losses all by itself. Caleb throws for two touchdowns, and one of those is to Luther Burden III for his first. On defense, the Bears win the turnover battle yet again, as Sweat sacks Huntley, and some random defensive back we signed off the street picks him off. The return of Roquan Smith for Baltimore doesn’t prevent the Bears from stacking up another nice rushing game, as KM notches a short-yardage TD and Swift tops 100 total yards on the day.
Jack R Salo: Ravens 28-19. Sometimes wins can mask an underlying problem that needs addressed. The Bears aren’t scoring enough touchdowns on offense, and are skating by with takeaways on defense. Eventually, you have a game where the other team doesn’t throw you the ball, and getting held to field goals bites you in the butt. The Ravens, meanwhile, are finally healthy. And desperate. A loss will force the Bears to clean things up.
EDITOR: Jack’s prediction was before the Jackson news.
Josh: 23-21 Chicago. Caleb can’t find the end zone for two quarters, but field goals and the defense keep them close. Then a pair of drives get touchdowns after halftime adjustments, and the defense seals the game.
Sarah: Bears, 31-24. While the Bears have been struggling with the pass game, the Ravens have a bad defense. The Ravens’ total defense ranks 30th, their passing defense ranks 28th, and their rushing defense ranks 26th.
As the Bears’ run game continues ramping up, I think this can be a big game for our RB room. I also think that Williams has an opportunity to have a big game as the Ravens rank 28th in pressure rate and 31st in sack rate, per Next Gen Stats.
Over the last four games, our defense has given up an average of 19 points per game. Our injured secondary is something to keep in mind. However, if our defense can rally for coordinator Dennis Allen, and our offense can capitalize in the red zone this week, we should come out with a win.
Bryan: Bears win a slugfest 30-26 on an inspiring performance from Caleb and the defense. Caleb visits the blue tent after a TD run with a big hit by Roquan that gets things amped up early, and the D fights all day against King Henry, holding him to 4 yards per carry but 100+ yards and 2 scores. A backup Safety seals the game with a pick in the 4th quarter. Tremaine Edmunds racks up 20 combined tackles, and Swift has 100+ yards and a score of his own. Oh, and Loveland has his first career TD also!
Sam: I am terrified of John Harbaugh’s post-bye week record. I have 27-20 Ravens win. The Ravens are desperate, getting healthier and have a collective chip on their shoulder after their 1-5 start. Can’t win them all, and I think this is another wake-up call that the Bears don’t have the roster or experience to compete with the NFL’s upper echelon.
EDITOR: Jack’s prediction was before the Jackson news.
