LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Bears quarterback Caleb Williams wants the opportunity to face off against one of his childhood idols. But Williams won’t be between the white lines at the same time as Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers until after the final whistle blows on Sunday.
“During the game and before the game, it’s us battling versus each other, going to war and trying to be 1-0 for our teams,” Williams said Wednesday.
Williams’ challenge, however, comes against a staunch defense hellbent on generating pressure on the quarterback.
“They’ve got some guys on that side of the ball,” Williams said. “They’ve got some vets. Then they also have some real vets that are playmakers. They just have playmakers on that side of the ball. Overall, the pass rush – the two guys, 90 and 51.”
No. 90 is T.J. Watt. No. 51 is Nick Herbig. As a pass rush duo, they’ve combined for 12.5 sacks. As a team, the Steelers have sacked the quarterback 33.0 times through 11 weeks. Last season, they combined for just 40.0.
“Watt is slippery,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said Thursday. “He plays with high effort. They have elite get-off, both edge players; they’re really good, and (Watt) gets the football out. That’s really the biggest thing about their defense, is the takeaways that show up. But he’s a guy that you have to account for on every snap. We’ve gone against these guys a few different times, and that’s always been kind of a key to their defense, is the edge players and the get-off.”
That pass rush against the Bears’ much-improved offensive line will be a war in the trenches. And it’ll be the Bears’ first test against a team with a winning record since Week 2 — when they lost to the Detroit Lions by 31.
“It’s a great challenge for us,” Williams said. “We’re excited to go out there and compete against them and be able to show who we are.”
That brings us to our predictions for Week 12 …
Adam Jahns
2025 record: 8-2
The Bears are missing their three starting linebackers and their pass rush hasn’t produced much but so what? They’ve dealt with injuries all season long and they’ve still found ways to win in dramatic fashion. The onus will be on the offense to deliver more against a Steelers defense that blitzes plenty but is suspect in parts. If Caleb Williams can make more plays than 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers and protect the football, Sunday could be a good day on the lakefront.
Bears 27, Steelers 26
[READ | Why the Bears’ offensive line is the driving force behind everything under Ben Johnson]
Adam Hoge
2025 record: 8-2
Almost every ounce of my brain is telling me not to pick the Bears when Aaron Rodgers will be facing a defense without their top three linebackers. Perhaps Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon will return and the Bears will play with seven defensive backs on the field. Unlikely. Still, you can trust Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen will have a plan — and we’re not used to saying that around here. This is a great opportunity for Caleb Williams to put the team on his back and beat his childhood idol.
Bears 24, Steelers 23
[READ | Insider Analysis: Caleb Williams vs. Aaron Rodgers should be embraced, not feared]
Mark Carman
2025 record: 7-3
No linebackers, no problem. Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph. Whatever. Can somebody say 25-6? Let’s do this.
Bears 24, Steelers 17
Greg Braggs Jr.
2025 record: 7-3
Regardless of who plays quarterback for the Steelers, the Bears might have run into some good timing, whether it’s Aaron Rodgers playing with a broken bone in his left hand or a backup in Mason Rudolph. A struggling Steelers offense will have another hurdle to overcome. If the Bears can protect their QB, Caleb Williams, then I think they’ll be able to move the ball and score some points. It would be really cool to see Jaylon Johnson make his return as well. And so, the streak of me picking the Bears in every game this season continues! Why not? Team of destiny? Maybe I’ve been hanging around with Adam Rank too much with these picks!
🥩🏈🌴4LIFE
Bears 27, Steelers 21
Corey Wootton
2025 record: 6-4
Even with the LBs out, the Bears still find a way to get it done. A-a-ron is nursing that bad wrist/hand, and the Bears would love nothing more than to spoil his return. Bears run the ball, control the clock, and get the W. Ben Johnson and this team have found a way to close out the close ones.
Bears 23, Steelers 20
Jerry Azumah
2025 record: 6-4
Bears 24, Steelers 23
Patrick Norton
2025 record: 5-5
Without a doubt, this was a game Aaron Rodgers had circled on his calendar the moment he signed with the Steelers. Assuming this is truly his last hurrah in the league, what better way to send the former Packers’ QB into retirement with a passing-of-the-torch moment to Caleb Williams?
Williams has had some signature moments but is still on the hunt for that signature win. Could it be Sunday with a complete performance against a defense known for getting after the quarterback? He’ll need his receivers to give him a hand — or two, preferably – and make the catches they’re supposed to make. But it’s doable — and winnable.
The injury report is a concern but Dennis Allen has done wonders shorthanded and in the face of adversity this season.
Bears 33, Steelers 27
Stephen Nicholas
2025 record: 5-5
If Lance Briggs isn’t on our postgame show on Sunday, it’s probably because the Bears needed him to play linebacker. Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell are ALL out against the Steelers. That could make for a really rough day for a defense that’s already been a little too reliant on takeaways. I don’t think this is a vintage Aaron Rodgers vs. Bears game for the 41-year-old, but I think he does just enough to eke by the Bears.
The Steelers allow the most receiving yards per game to opposing wide receivers. But Joey Porter Jr. is NOT a matchup to exploit. He hasn’t allowed a catch in the last 2 weeks. He also has yet to concede a TD on the season. I expect him to mostly cover Rome Odunze, but DJ Moore will see some of him as well. That leaves me looking at Luther Burden III for the second consecutive week. The over on his receiving prop that I recommended last week narrowly hit. I’m going back to the well on that and predicting that he burns Brandin Echols for a big play or two. Echols has allowed 18 receptions on 24 targets in the last 3 weeks.
Steelers 22, Bears 19
Lance Briggs
2025 record: 5-5
Bears 25, Steelers 17
