LAKE FOREST, Ill. – There’s playing shorthanded, and then there’s what the Bears‘ secondary will endure against the Baltimore Ravens.
Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson left last Sunday’s game in the second half with a shoulder injury. He did not practice this week. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson is still on injured reserve as he recovers from surgery on his groin.
Add Kyler Gordon to the list of defensive backs who’ll miss Week 8 in Baltimore. Gordon, who made his season debut in Week 6 against the Washington Commanders, was added to the practice report on Thursday and ruled out on Friday for Sunday’s game with a groin injury.
Gordon missed the first four games of the season with a hamstring strain.
It certainly doesn’t help that the Ravens will likely have two-time MVP Lamar Jackson back at quarterback on Sunday. Jackson exited a Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs early with a hamstring injury. In two games without Jackson, the Ravens totaled 280 team passing yards and scored just 13 points.
Jackson is officially listed as questionable but was a full participant at practice on Friday.
(Update on Sat. Oct. 25 at 1 p.m.: Jackson was retroactively downgraded to a limited participant in Friday’s practice and was officially ruled out for Sunday’s game.)
That brings us to our predictions for Week 8…
Adam Jahns
2025 record: 5-1
I’m picking the Bears to beat the Ravens regardless of Lamar Jackson’s status. The Ravens might be a desperate team but they still have one of the worst defenses in the league. Linebacker Roquan Smith’s return won’t fix everything.
Baltimore’s defense ranks 32nd in scoring, 30th in net yards allowed, 26th vs. the run, 28th vs. the pass and 27th on third downs. The Ravens are tied for last in the league with eight sacks, too. It takes a few more good players to fix all of that.
Bears 27, Ravens 23
Adam Hoge
2025 record: 4-2
I’ve been operating under the assumption that Lamar Jackson will play, but I also think it’s very possible he is not 100 percent, which will limit his effectiveness as a runner.
That said, this game matters A LOT to the Ravens and John Harbaugh is 14-3 following bye weeks. I thought the defense played better in their last outing against a good Rams team, and they are even healthier now.
The Bears need to prove they can limit penalties, and I think they’ll miss Tyrique Stevenson and Cole Kmet in this one. If the Bears win, it will be because they rack up the takeaways again and Caleb Williams throws the ball much more accurately.
I have to go with the Ravens on the road.
Ravens 24, Bears 21
Mark Carman
2025 record: 4-2
The line has not moved all week. Ravens are a 6.5-point favorite. Where is the respect, Bears fans? Four wins in a row in the NFL is hard to do, even if it did not come against a team that is currently over .500.
It also seems to indicate that Lamar Jackson will play, although we have gotten conflicting opinions on that this week. The Bears seem like they should win the game. Keep the running game going against a poor rush defense. Get Caleb back cooking through the air a la Dallas.
Alas, this feels like a do-or-die for the Ravens and Roquan Smith wants his payback. I think it’s back and forth.
Ravens 26, Bears 25
Greg Braggs Jr.
2025 record: 4-2
I am making this pick under protest until the Ravens announce who the starting quarterback is.
Regardless, no Jaylon, no Tyrique and out of nowhere… no Kyler. Too much to overcome for the defense.
Ravens 27, Bears 20
Update: Lamar is out.
Bears 27, Ravens 20*
(editor’s note: Greg decided to make up new rules despite the fact Jackson was questionable throughout the week and being ruled out was always a possibility).
Patrick Norton
2025 record: 3-3
Regardless of what happens this week, I wouldn’t be worried that the result of this game will suddenly spur a ten-game losing streak. This team has a certain swagger right now. They’re not overly confident, but the locker room is one. Winning helps.
The Bears’ secondary is ridiculously depleted, but that entire Ravens defense is old and bad. Kyle Hamilton and Roquan Smith returning from injury stings, but it’s not the end of the world, either. Now it’s up to Caleb Williams to be on his Ps & Qs on Sunday. If that happens, I like the Bears’ chances in a high-scoring affair.
Bears 34, Ravens 27
Stephen Nicholas
2025 record: 3-3
Believe it or not, the Bears preparing all week for Lamar Jackson just for him not to play actually helps the Bears’ game prep. Tyler “Snoop” Huntley plays a very similar game to Lamar, albeit the ‘lite’ version of it. The Bears are still going to get a heavy dose of Derrick Henry, who I expect to find paydirt.
Meanwhile, Baltimore is allowing 67 ypg to opposing TEs (6th-most). With only one true pass-catching tight end healthy this week, I think we finally see Colston Loveland’s first career TD. Bears sweat it out but get the “W” for the fifth consecutive time.
Bears 27, Ravens 24
Corey Wootton
2025 record: 3-3
With Lamar out, the Ravens are going to struggle moving the offense along. This week, Caleb and the offense will have a more consistent passing attack. They’ll get the run game going and work the boots and play-action, which is what Caleb looks comfortable doing.
Bears 31, Ravens 19
Jerry Azumah
2025 record: 3-3
Bears 23, Ravens 20
Lance Briggs
2025 record: 2-4
Bears 24, Ravens 17
