Sports
Bears vs. Lions: 5 bold predictions for Sunday’s game
It’s been nearly a full month since the Chicago Bears last played at Soldier Field, and quite a bit has changed since their last game. They have a new head coach, a new defensive playcaller, and have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. One thing that hasn’t changed? The losses.
The Bears (4-10) are riding an eight-game losing streak that spans 69 days, most recently losing to the Minnesota Vikings in prime time. They will try and finally end it this Sunday when they welcome the Detroit Lions (12-2) to town, who are hoping to keep pace as the top seed in the NFC after losing a barnburner last week to the Buffalo Bills.
Though it’s been a long time since the Bears got a victory, their home games have been far more competitive than their road games. Perhaps coming back to Soldier Field will light a spark for this Bears team while they take advantage of a Lions squad that continues to lose playmakers to injury. Even with the record disparity, this should be a close game with some memorable moments. Here are our bold predictions for Bears vs. Lions:
1. Caleb Williams throws 3 touchdowns
Quarterback Caleb Williams’ last couple of games at Soldier Field may not have ended in wins, but he did show he was able to lead multiple comebacks against good division opponents. Can he do it for a third time when he takes on the Lions? He’ll have to deal with the elements as the temperature at kickoff is set to be around 30 degrees. I’m confident Williams can overcome the cold, though, and do enough to toss three touchdowns.
The Lions defense has been ravaged by injuries, and opposing offenses have had success in recent weeks against them—including the Bears. Williams threw three touchdowns in their first meeting, all of them coming in the second half. With how much the Bears are throwing the ball, there will be opportunities for big plays. Williams will get settled earlier than usual and find his weapons for three touchdowns in a bounce-back performance in front of the home crowd.
2. D’Andre Swift totals at least 50 receiving yards
One of those weapons Williams will be relying on is running back D’Andre Swift, who had his best game in weeks on Monday night against the Vikings. Now, he gets another crack at facing his former team, and the Bears may have the blueprint when it comes to getting the most out of him.
The Bills utilized running back Ty Johnson in the passing game last week, and he delivered in a big way. Johnson totaled five catches on five targets for 114 yards. He made big plays out of the backfield that put the Bills in prime scoring position, and it seems as if interim head coach Thomas Brown took notice. “We might have a plan for it,” Brown said when asked about Swift’s role as a pass catcher Sunday. I believe him and think Swift will total at least 50 yards as one of the primary receivers.
3. Jared Goff throws 2 interceptions
Say it with me, everyone: “Jared Goff doesn’t play well in cold weather.” The Lions quarterback is notoriously poor in frigid temperatures, dating back to his early days with the Los Angeles Rams. Those concerns haven’t exactly been quelled in recent years, as Goff struggled last year in Chicago, tossing multiple interceptions. That’s been the story for Goff when playing in less-than-ideal conditions. In December and January regular-season games, Goff has completed 162 of 293 passes for 1,602 yards, six touchdowns, and nine interceptions for a passer rating of 64.9.
This Bears defense is a shell of what it was even a month ago when they were able to keep teams out of the end zone for extended periods of time. But coming back home to Soldier Field will help step their game up, and they will take advantage of a couple of mistakes by Goff.
4. Ben Johnson chants break out at Soldier Field
At this point during the season, are Bears fans really going to boo if the team comes out struggling? I can’t see that happening given that changes are already coming for them in the near future. Instead, what if the fans made it known they want the Bears’ next head coach to be Ben Johnson, who will just so happen to be in the building?
Johnson, the Lions offensive coordinator, is the hottest coaching candidate thanks to how successful he has been with Detroit the last few years. Most Bears fans have him as their top choice to be the team’s next head coach, and I have to imagine those in attendance would welcome the opportunity to let him know. At some point on Sunday, an audible “We want Ben!” chant of some kind will break out during the game.
5. Bears finally end their losing streak
The boldest prediction of them all! The losing streak has to end sometime, and given the injuries the Lions are dealing with, the fact their quarterback struggles mightily in the cold weather, and the Bears coming home for the first time in weeks, it will all set up one of the most improbable victories of the season. It will be a Christmas miracle that, for a moment, takes away the dark cloud hanging over this team.
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