The Chicago Bears saw their five-game win streak come to a halt in Week 14, falling 29-21 to the Green Bay Packers. And this wasn’t just any loss-it was a divisional gut punch.
With that win, Green Bay leapfrogged Chicago to take over the top spot in the NFC North. Now, the Bears are looking to bounce back in Week 15, and on paper, they’ve got a golden opportunity to do just that against a struggling Cleveland Browns team.
Cleveland enters the matchup at 3-10, and the injury report is starting to look like a grocery list. On Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that starting center Ethan Pocic tore his Achilles, ending his season.
That’s a massive blow to an already depleted offensive line. Veteran guard Wyatt Teller is also out for Sunday, and right tackle Jack Conklin is currently in concussion protocol.
Translation? The Browns are likely rolling into this game with a patched-up line protecting a rookie quarterback.
That’s where the Bears’ defense has a real chance to take over.
Games are won and lost in the trenches, and this week, Chicago’s defensive front could be in prime position to dominate. If the Bears can generate consistent pressure and keep rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders uncomfortable, it could be a long afternoon for the Browns’ offense. Sanders is still getting his NFL legs under him, and doing that behind a makeshift offensive line is no easy task.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves-this isn’t an automatic win for Chicago.
Despite the record, Cleveland still brings a few serious threats to the table, starting with their defense. Myles Garrett is a game-wrecker, plain and simple.
He’s the type of player who can singlehandedly flip a game script, especially if Chicago’s offensive line doesn’t come prepared. Caleb Williams has shown poise beyond his years, but if the Bears can’t keep Garrett out of the backfield, the rookie QB could be in for a rough day.
And then there’s Sanders. The rookie quarterback might be stepping into a tough situation, but he’s showing flashes that can’t be ignored.
In Week 14, he racked up nearly 400 total yards and four touchdowns-even while working behind a line full of reserves. That kind of production, under that kind of pressure, speaks volumes about his upside.
If Sanders can carry that momentum into Week 15, the Bears’ defense will need to be sharp. Chicago has the edge on paper, especially in the trenches, but this isn’t the time to take their foot off the gas. The NFC North is still within reach, but every game from here on out carries weight-and Cleveland, despite their record, isn’t just going to roll over.
Bottom line: the Bears have a chance to bounce back, but they’ll need to earn it.