Bears 2024 game-by-game season predictions

The Chicago Bears will open the season against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, which will feature the debut of No. 1 pick quarterback Caleb Williams.

In addition to facing their NFC foes twice, Chicago will play the NFC West and AFC South next season, which includes home games against the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars, as well as away games against the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans.

With the Bears finishing fourth in the NFC North, they’ll also face the same-place finisher in the NFC East and NFC South. With that additional 17th game, they’ll host the AFC East same-place finisher.

Before the Bears kick off the regular season, here are my game-by-game predictions for the 2024 season:

Week 1: Bears vs. Titans

The Bears will open the 2024 season at home against the Titans, which gives quarterback Caleb Williams the perfect game to ease him into his rookie season. Chicago’s new-look offense, also featuring Keenan Allen, rookie Rome Odunze and D’Andre Swift, will make its debut under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The Bears defense, coming off an impressive conclusion to 2023, will have an opportunity to bring the pressure on quarterback Will Levis.

Prediction: WIN

Week 2: Bears at Texans

Chicago’s first prime-time appearance comes in Week 2 when they travel to Houston to face the red-hot Texans, led by reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, quarterback C.J. Stroud. This will be a must-watch Sunday Night Football matchup between two young, ascending quarterbacks in Stroud and Williams. But the Bears defense will face an early test about Stroud and his crop of weapons, including newcomer Stefon Diggs. For now, the Texans get the edge as Stroud outduels his opposing rookie counterpart.

Prediction: LOSS

Week 3: Bears at Colts

Former Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus makes his homecoming to Indianapolis as his Bears look to record their first road win. Chicago’s defense will face a talented young quarterback in Anthony Richardson, who missed most of his rookie season due to season-ending shoulder surgery. Williams and the Bears’ offense will face a tough challenge against this Indy defensive front, but they’re able to pull out a win in an Eberflus revenge game.

Prediction: WIN

Week 4: Bears vs. Rams

The Bears will host the Rams in Week 4, where Chicago will have to contend with Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford. While Los Angeles is without Aaron Donald following his retirement, there’s still a wealth of talent on this roster that the Bears will have to contend with. Chicago has lost three straight to the Rams dating back to 2019. While this is a game that Chicago could certainly win, I’m predicting it as a loss right now.

Prediction: LOSS

Week 5: Bears vs. Panthers

The Bears get another crack at the Panthers to show just how thankful they are for last year’s trade of the No. 1 pick, which resulted in the additions of DJ Moore, Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson and now Caleb Williams. While last year’s game was much closer than it should’ve been — even as Chicago eked out the win — this is an opportunity for Williams and the Bears to make a statement with a convincing win. And it’ll serve as a nice lead-up to Chicago’s trip across the pond the following week.

Prediction: WIN

Week 6: Bears vs. Jaguars

The Bears will host the Jaguars in an international game in London, introducing the world to Caleb Williams and this young, ascending team. They’ll face a talented Jacksonville squad featuring fourth-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and we could be looking at a shoot-out between another pair of exciting, young quarterbacks. This game could go either way. But when making my predictions, I had a ceiling for my projected win total for Chicago, which is why I have this labeled as a loss in a game they should win.

Prediction: LOSS

Week 7: BYE WEEK

Record: 3-3

Week 8: Bears at Commanders

The Bears will face the Commanders for the third straight season, but this matchup will be hotly anticipated given it’ll feature the top two quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL draft: Caleb Williams vs. Jayden Daniels. While both are talented, the edge goes to Williams, who has a better situation in Chicago with an arsenal of weapons and a top-10 defense.

Prediction: WIN

Week 9: Bears at Cardinals

The Bears are back on the road against the Cardinals in Week 9. This is a game that Chicago needs to win, especially as they look to stand in contention for the playoffs during an easier stretch of the season. While Kyler Murray will present a challenge -- along with No. 3 pick Marvin Harrison Jr. -- this defense will once again rise to the occasion as Chicago secures a much-needed win.

Prediction: WIN

Week 10: Bears vs. Patriots

The Bears will host the Patriots in what's expected to be a battle between top-three rookie quarterbacks, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye (assuming Maye surpasses Jacoby Brissett at this point). New England’s defense has some talent, but this is an opportunity for the Bears defense to make a statement against a rebuilding Patriots squad with huge holes along the offensive line. Chicago has just opened their window while New England is rebuilding — without Bill Belichick. The Bears should cruise to victory in this game.

Prediction: WIN

Week 11: Bears vs. Packers

Chicago won’t play its first division game until Week 11, when they host Green Bay. It’s a rarity: I’m picking the Bears to beat the Packers. It’s no secret Green Bay has dominated this rivalry, but the tide has to turn at some point, right? Caleb Williams makes a bold statement in leading his squad to their first win over the Packers in six years. It certainly helps that this game won’t come in the season opener, as Williams will have 10 weeks under his belt and this offense should be clicking on all cylinders. This won’t be easy, but I think Chicago stuns the NFL world with its first win over Green Bay since 2018.

Prediction: WIN

Week 12: Bears vs. Vikings

The Bears will host the Vikings in what should've been a matchup between rookie quarterbacks with Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy. But with McCarthy already out for the year, Williams will battle Sam Arnold. While this Minnesota team still has some playmakers, including most notably Justin Jefferson, this offense will look at lot different without Kirk Cousins, who’s now in Atlanta. This is an opportunity for Chicago to make another statement within the division as they look to contend for a playoff spot.

Prediction: WIN

Week 13: Bears at Lions

After not playing a division game for 10 weeks, the Bears will face all three NFC North rivals in consecutive weeks, including a Thanksgiving matchup against the Lions in Detroit. This marks the sixth time the Bears will play on Thanksgiving since 2014 — and the fifth time against the Lions. Considering Chicago nearly swept Detroit last season, there’s no reason to believe they can’t challenge the reigning NFC North champions, especially with an improved roster. But the edge goes to the home team, as I can't quite pick the Bears to sweep the Lions yet (more on that below).

Prediction: LOSS

Week 14: Bears at 49ers

Chicago will face the reigning NFC champions, the San Francisco 49ers, in Week 14. The Bears won the previous meeting — held in a monsoon in 2022 — but this game will prove to be a huge test for Chicago and where they stand in the NFC. The Bears defense will contend with a dominant San Francisco offense, including weapons like Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, while Chicago’s offense faces a challenge against a talented 49ers defensive front. Unfortunately, the Bears aren’t quite on the 49ers level.

Prediction: LOSS

Week 15: Bears at Vikings

The Bears are back on the road to Minnesota to face the Vikings on Monday Night Football in Week 15. What else is there to say but the NFL loves Bears-Vikings on MNF. Chicago will have played Minnesota on Monday night now six times in the past nine seasons. I think it’s very possible that the Bears sweep the Vikings. But, as mentioned previously, I’m not going over my ceiling of wins. As always with division contests, it’s anyone’s game.

Prediction: LOSS

Week 16: Bears vs. Lions

After back-to-back road games, the Bears will host the Lions at Soldier Field in Week 16. It’ll mark the second time in four weeks that these two teams will square off, and it should be another close battle (just like in 2023). Chicago should’ve swept Detroit last season — and with a worse roster. So it’s not out of the question to believe that’s a possibility, but it’ll be a challenge against this talented Lions roster. I’m expecting another close game, where the Bears get their revenge with a win in front of the home crowd.

Prediction: WIN

Week 17: Bears vs. Seahawks

Chicago will conclude its prime-time slate (barring their season finale being flexed into prime-time) against the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. It’ll mark a homecoming for Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who served as Seattle’s OC for the previous three season. His offense — which will be tested by a talented Seattle defense — will get him a victory in his Seahawks revenge game in the TNF season finale.

Prediction: WIN

Week 18: Bears at Packers

I might’ve picked the Bears to break their losing streak against the Packers earlier in the season, but I will not pick Chicago to sweep Green Bay until they prove it’s something they’re actually capable of. There’s a reason the Bears and Packers will close out the season for the second straight year: This game could very well have playoff implications. Heck, it might even be flexed to prime time If that’s the case, the hope is Chicago will rise to the occasion rather than crumble like they did last season in what was a winnable game.

Prediction: LOSS

Final record prediction: 10-7

The Bears haven't played any regular-season football yet, so I tried my best to keep it realistic and fair with my predictions at this point. Essentially, I landed at my middle ground with 10 wins. I believe the floor is nine and the ceiling is 11 wins. There are some favorable matchups on the schedule, but there are also some difficult stretches in the latter half of the season. That includes not facing an NFC North rival until Week 11 and playing six division games in the final eight contests. The good news: Chicago was at its best at the end of last season, including when the playoffs were still within reach. A strong start to the season will serve them well, especially as Williams gets acclimated to his rookie season, and should put them in contention for a playoff spot.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears 2024 game-by-game season predictions