The Chicago Bears may be staring down a 3-10 Cleveland Browns team this week, but don’t let the record fool you - this matchup is anything but a breather. Between a defense anchored by one of the league’s most disruptive forces and a rookie quarterback who’s starting to flash serious upside, the Bears have their hands full.
Let’s start with the obvious: Myles Garrett is still Myles Garrett. The Browns’ All-Pro edge rusher is three sacks away from breaking an NFL record, and he’s capable of wrecking a game plan all by himself. But while Garrett remains a game-wrecker, it’s the guy under center who’s starting to turn heads - and the Bears are taking notice.
Shedeur Sanders, the Browns’ rookie quarterback and fifth-round pick, is coming off his most impressive outing yet. In Cleveland’s narrow 31-29 loss to the Titans in Week 14, Sanders threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns, completing just under 55% of his passes. He also added a rushing score, showing off the dual-threat ability that made him such an intriguing prospect coming out of college.
Bears safety Kevin Byard, one of the league’s most experienced and instinctive defensive backs, isn’t sleeping on the rookie.
“Just 'cause he is a rookie does not mean we can take him lightly,” Byard said. “He is very talented. I think he is really good at throwing the ball on time.”
That’s high praise from a veteran who leads the NFL in interceptions this season with six. And it’s a reminder that while Sanders is young, he’s already proving he can read defenses and make quick decisions - two traits that separate NFL starters from the rest of the pack.
Chicago’s defense will need to be on point, especially after what happened last week in their 28-21 loss to the Packers. The Bears gave up three touchdown passes to Jordan Love - all of them on chunk plays of 23 yards or more. That kind of breakdown in coverage simply won’t fly against a Browns offense that’s starting to find its rhythm, especially with Sanders showing the ability to push the ball downfield.
If there’s a silver lining for Chicago, it’s that this defense has been opportunistic all year. The Bears lead the NFL in takeaways with 27 through 14 weeks, and they’ll need every bit of that ball-hawking mentality to keep Sanders in check. Byard will be key on the back end, but the front seven has to do its part - and that starts with generating pressure.
Montez Sweat has been the Bears’ most consistent pass rusher since arriving in Chicago, but he can’t do it alone. The team needs more from its supporting cast, including rookie Austin Booker, who’s flashed potential but hasn’t been able to consistently disrupt opposing quarterbacks. If Sanders gets time in the pocket, he’s shown he can carve up a defense.
In a lot of ways, Sanders brings a similar skill set to what the Bears are hoping for in their own rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams - mobility, poise, and an ability to create when the pocket breaks down. But where Williams thrives on improvisation, Sanders has looked a bit more comfortable operating from structure, especially when he’s protected.
This game is shaping up to be a bigger test than many expected. After the loss to Green Bay, the Bears can’t afford another slip-up if they want to stay in the playoff mix or continue building momentum into the final stretch. The defense has been the backbone of this team all season, and it’ll need to rise to the occasion again - this time against a rookie QB who’s starting to look like he belongs.