LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Sandwiched between two pivotal games against the Green Bay Packers, the Bears can’t afford to look ahead.
“The only focus we’re on right now is Cleveland,” defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said Thursday. “That’s the only game we have any control over. So our sole focus is on these guys. And it’s a laser focus this week.”
It’s a matter of the job not being finished.
“We will be a playoff team once we earn enough wins to become a playoff team,” coach Ben Johnson said after Sunday’s loss to the Packers. “Right now we are a nine-win team and I don’t think nine wins is going to get you in this year so we have to do what we can to get enough wins to find a way to get into the tournament.”
When it’s a matter of playoff life and death, trap games don’t exist. A critical game and a chance for revenge against the Packers in one week will have to wait; it’s full-steam ahead on quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the scrappy Cleveland Browns.
“I don’t really believe in trap games in the league,” safety Kevin Byard III said Wednesday. “I think every single week you have to bring your best ball regardless of records. This is the National Football League, and every team and everybody is playing for something regardless of what their record is. I remember us last year not having a great record, but every single week we went out there, we played for the name on the front of the jersey, the name on the back of the jersey, playing for pride. We cannot take this team lightly at all.”
Against the Tennessee Titans last week, Sanders picked up 364 yards and three touchdowns through the air in a losing effort. But in just three NFL starts, Sanders is turning heads.
“I see a guy that plays with a little bit of a swagger,” Allen said. “He’s got a little moxie to him. I think he brings a little bit of excitement to that football team. I think what you’ve seen is each week he’s gotten a little bit better. In some tough conditions last week, I thought he played really well.”
But he’s still an inexperienced NFL quarterback.
“Think he does a good job,” Allen said. “Obviously, you still see some signs of a rookie quarterback. But in terms of being a rookie and composure in the pocket. I think you have one pass to Fannin down the defensive left side line, where he stood in the pocket, took a shot in the pocket, yet presented a really good ball for the receiver to catch.”
That brings us to our Week 15 predictions …
Adam Hoge
2025 record: 10-3
While I understand the fears of this being a “trap” game, I look at it as more of a perfect bounce-back opportunity against a young team that is banged up. The Bears should be able to sit back in more zone looks to confuse Shedeur Sanders and eventually get him to turn the ball over.
And while the Browns make it hard to go the full length of the field on them, they will give up points off turnovers. I expect the defense and special teams to do enough to set Ben Johnson’s offense up to run the ball to victory.
Bears 27, Browns 13
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Adam Jahns
2025 record: 9-4
This game is going to be played in a freezer – and it will affect the game. The Bears, though, should be able to lean on running backs Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift and their offensive line. The Browns rank 13th in run defense this season. But last week, Titans running back Tony Pollard ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns against them. It came after the Browns lost defensive tackle Maliek Collins to a season-ending injury a week earlier against the 49ers. A strong run game will limit Myles Garrett’s game-wrecking opportunities.
Bears 22, Browns 16
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Mark Carman
2025 record: 9-4
I’ll admit to being slightly worried that Shedeur Sanders will be able to take advantage of a Bears pass rush that doesn’t get to the quarterback. But not that much. The Bears are the better, healthier team with everything to play for. I do think it will be close because of the Browns’ D.
Bears 20, Browns 19
Greg Braggs Jr.
2025 record: 9-4
Must win. ‘Nuff said.
Bears 24, Browns 13
Corey Wootton
2025 record: 8-5
Bears control this one with the weather offensively. Ground and pound all day plays in the Bears’ favor. Bears need to knock out the rushing attack and force Shedeur to make plays. Fannin is their best playmaker on Offense. Need to watch out for him in the read zone. Must win for the Bears!
Bears 28, Browns 13
Jerry Azumah
2025 record: 8-5
Bears 24, Browns 14
Patrick Norton
2025 record: 7-6
Starting fast.
It’s something that’s escaped the Bears and quarterback Caleb Williams in recent weeks. Against the Packers, Williams began the game 0-for-5 passing on consecutive three-and-outs.
It won’t be much easier to get rolling in the bitter cold against the Cleveland Browns and defensive end Myles Garrett. Garrett is only 3.0 sacks from breaking the single-season record (22.5) shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.
Williams said on Wednesday that it’s a goal of the offense to make sure that doesn’t happen on Sunday at Soldier Field. Part of that is getting Williams going with short, quick passes before ramping up to the deeper shots.
Williams loves to look for the explosives, and it’s working for the Bears at times and in the win column, but getting back to the basics this weekend is key for the Bears, not only against the Browns, but in preparation for the Packers coming to town next Saturday.
This is a get-right opportunity in every sense for the Bears. They’ll get it done on the frigid lakefront.
Bears 34, Browns 19
Lance Briggs
2025 record: 7-6
Bears 27, Browns 17
Stephen Nicholas
2025 record: 5-8
A lot of debate on the CHGO Bears Podcast on whether this game is a ‘must-win’ or a ‘can’t lose.’ How about just calling it a better win? There’s really no reason not to.
The Browns will be missing their starting center, right guard and right tackle, not to mention their season-opening starting left tackle, Dawand Jones, being out for the year. Their center, Ethan Pocic, being out could be particularly impactful because he was calling slide protections for rookie Shedeur Sanders. That’s an added responsibility for a signal caller making his fourth career start.
It feels odd to say, but I like the Bears’ defense to get to the quarterback this week. There’s just too much inconsistency on the Browns’ O-Line for Montez Sweat not to record at least one sack. In frigid temps, the Bears are the hammer, not the nail, and make it a long day in the pocket for Shedeur.
Bears 27, Browns 10
