Bears vs. Colts game picks: Will Chicago bounce back in Week 3?

The Chicago Bears (1-1) will battle the Indianapolis Colts (0-2) in Week 3, where Chicago is looking to rebound after their first loss of the season.

The Bears are coming off a close 19-13 loss to the Houston Texans (2-0) in prime time, where they hung with a Super Bowl contender right up until the final drive. That's because of their dominant defense, which has made a statement in these first two weeks. But the offense, which has struggled, needs to improve help rookie quarterback Caleb Williams with a steady dose of the run game and better pass protection.

Heading into this Week 3 matchup, the Bears have a chance to make strides on offense while continuing their dominance on defense. But will Chicago be able to bounce back after their first loss of the season against Matt Eberflus' former Colts team? Our Bears Wire staff share their game picks for Sunday's matchup.

Alyssa Barbieri (2-0): Bears 20, Colts 17

The Bears have an opportunity to get back on track over the next few weeks against three currently winless teams, and that starts with the Colts on Sunday. The Packers provided the blueprint for the Bears to defeat Indianapolis: Contain Jonathan Taylor and fluster Anthony Richardson into numerous mistakes and turnovers while letting your offense do just enough to pull out a close win.

This could be a very similar game to the Bears' Week 1 win against the Titans, where the defense and special teams handle business and the offense simply has to not make a backbreaking mistake. If Chicago can keep Richardson in the pocket and force him to beat them from there, it could be a long afternoon for the former first-round pick. Although, against a Colts defense that has been among the worst in the league and now missing their best player in DeForest Buckner, you'd also like to see the offense do a little more in the run game and quick passing game with Caleb Williams.

If the offense can step up, much like the defense has in the first two weeks, this could game could be much closer than the one-score affair I'm predicting. But, until the offense proves they can effectively move the ball and score points, better safe than sorry.

Brendan Sugrue (1-1): Bears 24, Colts 19

Is this a “must-win” game for the Bears? It is in the eyes of the fans who were flabbergasted by their woeful performance last weekend. While I predicted a win would happen against the Texans (and it came close), we all knew it was a tough matchup. This week should be a different story.

One of the worst rushing attacks meets the worst run defense. The stoppable force vs. the moveable object. Based on the injuries to the Colts’ defensive line with DeForest Buckner out and Laiatu Latu trending towards missing as well, this matchup favors the Bears. It’s the perfect opportunity to get their ground game right with D’Andre Swift and allow Caleb Williams more breathing room in the pocket. Indy could still generate some pressure, but it would be a shock if they came anything close to what the Texans did. The Colts secondary doesn’t scare anyone either, seeing as they have yet to snag an interception, meaning this truly could be the rookie’s coming-out party.

Defensively, the Bears might make Anthony Richardson’s day a living nightmare. If the front seven can contain Jonathan Taylor and force Richardson to make plays with his arm, it could get ugly. The second-year quarterback is tied for the league lead with four interceptions, and this Bears secondary is playing at an elite level. That bodes very well for Chicago. Richardson certainly has the athletic ability to change a game with his big arm and speed as a runner, but expect the Bears defense to limit those plays.

This sounds like it could be a blowout, and hey, maybe it will be. Perhaps all of the Bears mistakes on offense from the past two weeks suddenly vanish. Or they do enough to get a win on the road and take small but important steps towards solving those issues. I’m leaning towards the latter.

Vinnie Parise (1-1): Bears 24, Colts 17

Once again, the Chicago Bears are going to see their defense do great work against an offense that is up and down at best. Anthony Richardson will make some big plays for the Colts but the Bears defense should keep him from doing anything too crazy over four quarters.

With DeForest Buckner out and Laiatu Latu trending to be out, Indy’s pass rush won’t be the same as the Tennessee Titans or Houston Texans. That’s not to say the Colts will be easy by any means but they don’t have the gamer breakers that those teams have right now.

The offensive line isn’t going to become elite because of it but they need to be much better than they were last week. That should allow Caleb Williams to start moving the ball and looking like the number one pick he was drafted to be. D’Andre Swift may be able to get the running game going as well which is incredibly important.

This offense should finally have some good moments on Sunday. It’s been a long time coming. If they do, they’ll come out of week three with a big win!

Mike Pendleton (2-0): Bears 28, Colts 17

Giving the Bears their potentially highest points total so far this season seems like a wild decision, but it keeps being said that things can only get better for the offense and I believe that. The Colts are also going to be without DeForest Buckner, one of their top defensive linemen and that could further help the offense as a whole, and the running game specifically. If D’Andre Swift can get the production that he’s accustomed to giving, the Bears could open up more opportunities in the passing game.

After Indianapolis fell to the Packers who were starting Malik Willis last week, there was more reason to be optimistic about the Bears’ chances coming into this one. It feels like a  “get right” game for Caleb Williams and the offense, and I believe it’ll happen one every level, including the offensive line.

Preston Comer (2-0): Bears 17, Colts 14

I want to believe that this will be the week the Bears’ offense will turn everything around. But even if they do, it’s not going to be anything magical — especially with Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze still listed as questionable. The Colts are missing a key piece on their defensive line in DeForest Buckner, but I’m not sure how much that will benefit the Bears with how underwhelming their offensive line has performed.

The Colts looked great against the Texans Week 1, but Anthony Richardson struggled last week. I don’t have any concerns about the Bears’ defense taking care of business, but yet again, you have to give your defense some support at some point.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Colts game picks: Will Chicago bounce back in Week 3?