The Chicago Bears might have their eyes on a rematch with the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, but if they’re not careful, they could get blindsided in Cleveland first.
Coming off a tough 28-21 loss to the Packers in Week 14, the Bears are undoubtedly itching for payback. But safety Kevin Byard is making sure the locker room doesn’t get ahead of itself. His message heading into Week 15 is clear: the Browns demand full attention.
“I don’t really believe in trap games,” Byard told reporters. “This is the NFL. Everyone is out there playing for something.”
That mindset is exactly what the Bears need right now. The Browns may be sitting at 3-10, but the record doesn’t tell the full story - especially when you look at what they’re doing on defense.
Cleveland enters this matchup ranked second in the league in total defense, allowing just 272.8 yards per game. Even more impressive?
They’re first in the NFL in rush defense, giving up only 165.2 yards per game on the ground.
That’s a problem for Chicago, a team that’s leaned heavily on its run game all season. The Bears have built their offensive identity around pounding the rock, controlling the clock, and setting up manageable situations for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. But if Cleveland shuts down the run early, the pressure shifts squarely onto Williams’ shoulders - and that’s where things get tricky.
Williams has flashed his potential, no doubt. But accuracy issues have crept into his game in recent weeks, and he’s still learning how to adjust when Plan A gets taken away. Against a defense like Cleveland’s, he’ll need to be sharp, decisive, and ready to make plays when the ground game stalls.
On the flip side, the Bears' defense is facing a Browns offense that’s starting to find its rhythm - and doing so with a trio of rookies leading the charge. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders is coming off a breakout performance in Week 14, torching the Titans for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. He’s shown poise beyond his years, and with weapons like running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. stepping up, Cleveland suddenly has a young core that’s clicking.
That said, Chicago’s defense isn’t exactly a soft landing spot. The Bears lead the league in takeaways this season with 27 - four more than the next closest team - and Byard has been a turnover machine, leading the NFL with six interceptions. If Sanders makes rookie mistakes, this Bears defense is well-equipped to capitalize.
This game is going to be a test of discipline and focus for Chicago. The Packers might be looming on the schedule, but the Browns are right in front of them - and they’re not a team to overlook. Cleveland’s defense is elite, their offense is young and surging, and they’ve got nothing to lose.
For the Bears, the path to redemption in Green Bay starts with taking care of business in Cleveland. Anything less than their full attention, and they could find themselves walking into a buzzsaw.