Last week was somewhat of an embarrassment across the board for the Chicago Bears. After firing Matt Eberflus the day after Thanksgiving, Chicago had an opportunity to prove it would not only survive but get better in the absence of the former head coach.
Instead, Chicago’s offense fell flat under the direction of interim head coach Thomas Brown, and the defense, which had been Eberflus’ saving grace through 14 wins in just shy of three seasons with the Bears, allowed 38 points to an offense that scored six against the Rams on Thursday night.
Not great.
Now, Chicago faces its second eight-game losing streak in three seasons. In 2022, the last time Chicago lost eight straight, the Bears finished the year on a 10-game skid resulting in the first pick overall which was traded to Carolina.
Currently, the Bears hold the ninth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but games against Minnesota, Detroit, Seattle and Green Bay could help their draft stock significantly in the final weeks of the season.
Just where we thought we’d be: talking about another top pick after a catastrophic year. Who needs the playoffs when you can win the offseason? Anyways…
Adam Hoge (6-7)
It’s hard to imagine the Bears’ defense slowing the Vikings down with the way both units are trending. Explosive plays for Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson should be aplenty. Perhaps Thomas Brown and Caleb Williams will recapture their momentum that stalled last week in Santa Clara, but if you haven’t noticed, the Bears have topped 20 points just once during this seven-game losing streak (albeit to the Vikings).
Vikings 38, Bears 20
Nicholas Moreano (7-6)
I’m not picking the Bears in this second matchup with the Vikings. Yes, the first game went into overtime, but there is no way I see Brian Flores’ defense giving up 27 points again. This time around, Flores will unleash the exotic blitz packages, and you can only hope that Caleb Williams comes out of this game healthy. Justin Jefferson was held to two receptions for 27 yards in Week 12 at Soldier Field. That also isn’t happening again.
Vikings 30, Bears 20
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Mark Carman (10-3)
When will it end? Let’s hope for Week 1 in 2025 at the latest. The Minnesota Vikings are on a 6-game winning streak. Sam Darnold has thrown 11 TD passes and 0 INT’s in his last 4 games. I do expect a better effort from the Bears than they gave in San Francisco. I do not expect them to do enough to win.
Vikings 27, Bears 19
Greg Braggs Jr. (7-6)
The Bears should’ve been beaten convincingly the first time around at Soldier Field if not for Caleb Williams, the offense and a fortuitous onside kick that helped a comeback down 11 points with 20 seconds left in the game. Yet, the Bears still went on to lose in overtime. You had your chance then, doubtful you have a chance now as they head to Minnesota on the primetime stage. Overall, I’m just hoping for anything that resembles a pulse in the first half as opposed to last week’s embarrassment in San Francisco.
Vikings 31, Bears 20
Patrick Norton (7-6)
Keep Caleb Williams in your prayers this week. After absorbing seven sacks last week against a San Francisco pass rush that was missing Nick Bosa, the quarterback faces Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy defense for the second time this season. Williams was only sacked three times in their first meeting, including one in overtime, which might be the worst play of his rookie season.
Things aren’t great in Bear Land right now. Everything out of Halas Hall is subject to ridicule right now. And as we’ve seen several times this season, this team does not handle adversity well. Hopefully the Bears put up more of a fight against the Vikings than they did against the 49ers last week. Otherwise, we’re looking at a possible embarrassment on the national stage. Nothing new.
Vikings 27, Bears 13
Corey Wootton (8-5)
Brian Flores brings the house this week as usual. Vikings at home – that crowd is going to be rocking. The Bears’ offense and defense continues to struggle. Only silver lining? Higher draft pick!
Vikings 34, Bears 14
Stephen Nicholas (8-5)
The last time the Bears played the Vikings, Justin Jefferson was held to 2 catches for 27 yards. That’s not going to happen twice. The Bears remain competitive in this one with Cole Kmet finding the end zone, but the combination of Jefferson and Aaron Jones (12 TDs in 14 career games vs Bears) prove to be too much as the losing streak moves to 8-straight games.
Vikings 27, Bears 21
Kevin Kaduk (7-6)
The win here for the Bears is that they don’t embarrass themselves on a national stage, but they won’t walk away with an actual victory either.
