The Chicago Bears are favored for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. That’s something that really hasn’t happened too often in the last several years, and when it has, it seems like the Bears found
a way to Bear it up.
But that was before Ben Johnson.
We’ve already seen his team do some things that past teams rarely have done, but it still feels weird to see Chicago come back. Or fight through adversity. Or get a big play when needed. Or manage late half situation intelligently.
So, winning a game they are favored in should be something we, dare I say it, expect now?
Here’s how some of the WCG crew believe this game will go.
GOOCH: 38-17, Bears. Fresh off two nail-biters, the Bears put in a dominating performance. Caleb rebounds from an inconsistent Monday night performance to go 32-40, for 330 yards and 3 touchdowns. Austin Booker joins in on the fun with a sack, and Tez notches his second (I’m sticking with ya Tez). Bears pick off Rattler twice as he looks rattled on the road in Chicago. Rome returns to his TD catching form, and Loveland gets his first NFL TD. Luther Burden breaks a big one. It may be raining on Sunday, but it is all sunshine for the Chicago Bears in this one.
Sam Householder: I’m still getting used to seeing the Bears as favorites. But as the culture changes, so too do the expectations. They lost some games they were supposed to lose. Then they won a game that was a toss-up and won two games late that they shouldn’t have won. Let’s see them take care of business at home. I’m not going to go crazy, but let’s say 28-20 Bears. The Saints are good (for a 1-win team) and competitive. I don’t think they’ll roll over, but I don’t think the Bears will have too much trouble.
Gary Baugher Jr.: I’m going 31-21 Bears. Ben Johnson won’t let us fall for “trap” games, the Bears are a more skilled roster from bottom to top. Hopefully, this is a good get-right game for the pass rush as we face a bottom-5 pass-blocking unit. Rattler turns it over a few times, and QB1 goes for 250+ and 3 touchdowns. Swift and Monangai combine for 100 yards and 1 score.
Josh Sunderbruch: Bears 27-Saints 24 in OT. The game is closer than it should be because, of course, it is. Caleb goes 15/28 for 206 yards and two TDs while running for a pair of critical first downs (PFF Grade 04.3). Loveland and Burden emerge while Odeyingbo actually does something. Dom Rob for the only Bears sack in the game.
Ryan Droste: Bears win, 34-17. The streak of the Bears’ defense forcing turnovers continues, and D’Andre Swift has another strong outing running the ball on offense. Caleb Williams wins the battle against his old teammate Spencer Rattler, tossing three touchdown passes along the way.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: Bears win, 34 to 20, behind another nice game on the ground from D’Andre Swift, but this time Kyle Monangai gets in on the action with his first TD. Caleb has an efficient game by playing point guard, and he benefits from yards after catch from Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland, and Rome Odunze.
Give us your prediction in the comment section.
