Bears vs. Packers predictions: Can Caleb Williams end the season on a high note?

Week 18 is finally upon us.

What an eventful, often miserable, but mostly entertaining season of Chicago Bears football. Entertaining from a “show content” standpoint, not entertaining like a Ben Johnson offense.

When the Bears march into Lambeau Field on Sunday, they’ll have an unlikely shot to end some nasty streaks.

It’ll be:

• 1,106 days since the Bears’ last road win on a Sunday – December 26, 2021
• 2,212 days since the Bears last beat the Packers – December 16, 2018
• 3,328 days since the Bears last won in Green Bay – November 26, 2015
• 5,103 days since the Bears last won a playoff game – January 16, 2011
• 14,994 days (41 years) since the Bears last won a regular-season finale against the Packers – December 18, 1983.

Chicago is 0-7 against Green Bay in season finales since 1983. Mike Ditka was the Bears’ head coach and Jerry Vainisi was the team’s general manager. Maybe if Chicago pulls off the surprise upset on Sunday, they’ll be on track to win the Super Bowl in 2026.

But it’s a bittersweet ending to the season. Sure, it means the Bears are one step closer to the future, but it’s also the last time we’ll see Caleb Williams in his rookie season. Yes, that rookie season has seen Williams sacked 67 times and counting, but we’ve also seen the growth and maturity of the hopeful franchise cornerstone.

On Wednesday, Williams fell on the proverbial sword for his line, telling reporters, “The stupid connotation behind my offensive line being bad is not the truth. I’ve taken a good amount of sacks that have been my fault.”

The results haven’t always been there for the No. 1 overall pick in this past year’s draft, but the demeanor has never wavered.

Here’s to 2025 and a season of predictions with fewer sacks and more wins.

Adam Hoge (9-7)

The way the Bears defense played against the Seahawks provides a glimmer of hope that this season could potentially end with a win over the Packers. Logic says that’s a longshot though. There doesn’t seem to be anything left to squeeze out of the offense this season, and the Packers need this one if they want to avoid going to Philadelphia next weekend.

The only path to victory would appear to involve scoreboard-watching. If Washington goes up big on the Cowboys, would Matt LaFleur remove some key starters in the second half? It’s a possibility the Bears can only hope for if they want to end their 10-game losing streak overall and their 11-game losing streak to the Packers.

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Packers 20, Bears 10

Patrick Norton (10-6)

I think I’m on an island with this take, but thank goodness the Packers have something to play for and have to play their starters. Sure, Green Bay has clinched, but at noon on Sunday, they won’t have their seeding locked up in the NFC playoff picture.

Green Bay is looking at either the No. 6 or 7 seed with the Philadelphia Eagles on deck in the wild card round should the Packers slip to seventh. To avoid the city of brotherly love, the Packers must win on Sunday and have the Cowboys beat the Commanders, which also kicks at noon.

It’s not much, but it gives the Bears an outside shot to play spoiler. At the very least, it guarantees Chicago won’t be sent home with an 11th consecutive loss at the hands of Green Bay’s second-stringers.

Unfortunately, that means Green Bay won’t have the patience to toy with their food. This could get ugly. Last time around [Week 11], I was the only person to pick the Bears against the Pack. I was a Cairo Santos blocked kick away from glory. Alas, let’s play it safe and get to 10 wins on the graphic for the year.

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Packers 29, Bears 16

Mark Carman (13-3)

The Packers are playing for playoff seeding. The Bears are playing for Cancun. On to the offseason, please.

Packers 34, Bears 16

Corey Wootton (11-5)

Been a tough year for the Bears and it’s not getting any better this week. On to next year! Bear down!

Packers 31, Bears 10

Greg Braggs Jr. (9-7)

An 11-game losing streak to end the year. If that doesn’t leave a bad taste in the organization’s mouth to right many wrongs from the 2024 season, nothing will. Hard sell to not only keep but extend Ryan Poles as GM with a 14-game losing streak and an 11-game losing streak on his résumé. Whichever head coach ends up in Chicago will have a steep hill to climb to fix this mess. All we can do as fans is hope they get it right.

Oh yeah, the game! As if that really matters. The only thing that truly matters in Bears vs Packers is making sure your key players, including Caleb Williams, come out of it healthy.

Shoutout to 2025! Because 2024 absolutely sucked.

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Packers 27, Bears 17

Stephen Nicholas (11-5)

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 11 times, shame on you, Bears. The 12th time isn’t the charm for the Bears as they lose yet again to the hated Green Bay Packers. In my lifetime, the Bears are 14-49 against the Packers. Maybe I’m the problem. I’m not angry. I’m just disappointed. Actually, I’m angry too. End this damn season, and hire a coach that can beat these guys!

Packers 34, Bears 16

Kevin Kaduk (10-6)

The most disappointing year in Bears history – yes, I said it – comes to an end with the 12th straight loss overall and the 12th straight loss to the Packers. Let the coaching search begin.

Packers 28, Bears 7

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