LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Stop me if you’ve heard this before: the Bears have a shot at a “get-right” game against a bad defense and backup quarterback.
It’s an eerily similar situation that the Bears find themselves in, facing an underperforming defense and a backup quarterback for the second consecutive week.
Against quarterback Tyler Huntley, running back Derrick Henry and receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, the Bears’ defense allowed 355 yards of total offense and an insurmountable 30 points. Granted, they were without cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon. It still wasn’t good enough.
Even without QB Joe Burrow, former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and running back Chase Brown are a stronger and more experienced group of skill players than the one the Bears faced last Sunday.
In three games together, Flacco and Chase have already connected 38 times for 346 yards, with Flacco targeting All-Pro receiver 54 times.
“Look, [Chase has] got good speed, he’s got a really good catch radius,” Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said Thursday. “He really basically catches anything that’s anywhere near him. And he does a great job of getting in and out of breaks. I mean, his transition skills are outstanding.”
It doesn’t matter how Allen schemes up coverage for Chase, either.
“When you watch the tape, especially over the last few weeks, they’re feeding targets to him,” Allen said. “And there’s times I look on the tape, I’m like there’s two dudes draped all over him and they’re still throwing the ball to him. So they got a lot of confidence in what he can do, and he’s an explosive player and somebody that’s gonna be a challenge for us to have to deal with.”
Just ask one of the guys who’ll be tasked with helping whichever corner is matched up with Chase this weekend.
“We just have to try to disrupt him,” Bears safety Jaquan Brisker said Thursday. “Get hands on him quick, things like that. And depending on the defense, just keep eyes on him.”
Luckily for the Bears, they’ll have Tyrique Stevenson back on Sunday, as well as the recently signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
That brings us to our predictions for Week 9…
Adam Jahns
2025 record: 5-2
The stats favor the Bears’ offense and Caleb Williams again. But this time, linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Kyle Hamilton aren’t coming to the rescue. The Bengals’ defense is one of the worst in the league. According to Pro Football Reference, the Bengals rank 30th in passing yards allowed per game, 25th in opposing QB rating, 32nd in rushing yards allowed per game, 31st in third-down percentage and 30th in red-zone percentage.
This could be a shootout – and one that Williams should win against Joe Flacco, who just lost to Justin Fields and the New York Jets.
Bears 30, Bengals 26
Adam Hoge
2025 record: 5-2
This should be a “get-right” game for the Bears’ offense. The Bengals’ defense doesn’t really do anything well, and their tendencies fit the Bears’ strengths. Caleb Williams should be able to have a strong game on Sunday.
Defensively, a lot will depend on whether or not Joe Flacco plays, but adding C.J. Gardner-Johnson and getting Tyrique Stevenson back will help contain Ja’Marr Chase and give Dennis Allen more tools to put pressure on the quarterback.
The Bengals will have their moments, but I really like how the Bears matchup this week, even on the road.
Bears 31, Bengals 20
Mark Carman
2025 record: 5-2
Get-right week for the Bears. The Bengals’ defense is awful. Joe Flacco probably plays, but how well does his shoulder hold up? Montez Sweat is “ascending” per Ben Johnson. Sweat could make that shoulder not want to play anymore. I am concerned that the Bears will find themselves in a shootout, but I’m hopeful they can keep up.
Bears 32, Bengals 29
Greg Braggs Jr.
2025 record: 4-3
I have yet to pick the Bears to lose. Why stop now? Should I feel annoyed the Bears aren’t 6-1 or thankful the Bears aren’t 2-5? Either way, I’m enjoying the week-to-week journey with Ben Johnson despite the litany of injuries.
The last time the Bears lost, they followed that up with their best offensive performance of the year. I’m hoping that’s the case once again in Cincy.
Bears 30, Bengals 20
Patrick Norton
2025 record: 3-4
I’ve had a really hard time figuring out these Bears — to the point where Adam Jahns considered waiting until I made my pick so that he could pick against me.
Ben Johnson liked the steps Caleb Williams took last week. He should be able to take a few more on Sunday against the Bengals’ putrid defense.
Getting Tyrique Stevenson back into the secondary and adding C.J. Gardner-Johnson into the mix should also make a big difference. I still worry about the lack of a pass rush. Maybe Austin Booker can make a difference in his first action of the regular season.
This should be a comfortable win for the Bears. Then again, I thought the same thing last week.
Bears 34, Bengals 24
Corey Wootton
2025 record: 3-4
The Bears bounce back after the Week 8 loss to the Ravens. Offense gets back to the running game again.
Bears 28, Bengals 24
Stephen Nicholas
2025 record: 3-4
Bears 23, Bengals 21
Jerry Azumah
2025 record: 3-4
Bears 28, Bengals 24
Lance Briggs
2025 record: 2-5
TBD
