Yahoo Sports Bears vs Packers picks: Can Chicago finally snap losing streak?
The Chicago Bears (4-12) will battle the Green Bay Packers (11-5) in Week 18, where Chicago is looking to snap a 10-game losing streak in their final regular season game.
The Bears are coming off an ugly 6-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. While the defense had a respectable performance -- holding the Seahawks to six points -- the offense was atrocious. They managed just a field goal 11 first downs, seven punts and 179 total yards. While Caleb Williams continued to make incredible plays, he was sacked seven times, which now totals 67 on the season, the most ever in franchise history.
Heading into this Week 18 matchup, the Bears are looking to end their 10-game losing streak as the regular season comes to a close. Can Chicago finally snap their losing streak, get their first road win of the year and snap their losing skid against Green Bay? Our Bears Wire staff share their game picks for Sunday's matchup.
Alyssa Barbieri (10-6): Packers 28, Bears 17
It feels like a lifetime ago since the Bears last won a football game, but it's been even longer since Chicago last defeated the Packers. Even if Green Bay were to rest starters with the playoffs locked up -- although the No. 6 seed is up for grabs -- it's hard to imagine the Bears snapping an 11-game losing skid against their arch rivals. Sure, Chicago should've won the last meeting, but that was a different team just seven weeks ago. This game could get ugly, and it would be a fitting end to what's been the franchise's worst season in recent history.
There is one thing worth watching in this finale: Quarterback Caleb Williams, who becomes the first Bears quarterback to start every game in a season since Jay Cutler in 2009. And it's a miracle considering he's been sacked a league-worst 67 times. Still, the Bears haven't won a road game this season -- and they haven't won a road game on a Sunday since Matt Nagy was leading the charge in his final season. Hard to imagine that changing until real change is made within the organization.
Brendan Sugrue (9-7): Packers 31, Bears 10
I don’t know what else needs to be said at this point. This team is mentally cooked, and they’re all probably just looking towards the offseason where they can unwind. I don’t blame them, either. It’s been a long and frustrating season that came crumbling down in late October and hasn’t stopped unraveling. Of course, the players had a major part in that, but collectively, it feels like most people are going through the motions. There is no postseason to play for, no winning record within reach. The only carrot is finally beating Green Bay for the first time in over six years, and they have plenty on the line as they look to earn the 6th seed in the playoffs.
I could list out specific stats to show just how much better Green Bay is than Chicago, but you don’t need to see those to know how this game is going to end. The Bears will sleepwalk towards the offseason, Caleb Williams will make a couple of nice throws while getting beaten up in the pocket, and the Packers will exploit the weak links of the defense to generate explosive plays. At least we won’t have to worry about a close loss that ends with a blocked field goal or something.
Lucas Hunt (8-5): Packers 30, Bears 13
Bears fans, give yourselves a pat on the back. If you’re reading this article, it means you are truly a diehard fan. You’ve endured week after week of abysmal, embarrassing losses, yet you unflinchingly clicked on this post and read about all the ways Chicago will get walloped on Sunday, sharing in our pain. Good for you.
The Bears, conversely, will receive no such praise, as any positive aspects of this year’s team have long since withered and died. Although they utilize their stadium and wear their colors, the product we’ve seen over the last few months is not the Chicago Bears, not truly. Even in Chicago’s worst seasons, both the coaches and players left everything on the field, even when there was nothing to play for. The level of passion and effort on display the last few months is not just inexcusable, it’s downright disrespectful to the storied franchise they represent. There are talented, young players at key positions that have better days ahead, there’s no arguing that, but Chicago has a lot of house cleaning to do this offseason before they are ready to compete with the likes of the Packers.
Speaking of which, yeah; the Bears are going to get destroyed. While the outcome is already a foregone conclusion, I just hope the aforementioned talented key players have a moment or two that gives their fans a glimpse of how things may begin to turn around in 2025 and beyond. Green Bay chokes the last breath out of Chicago 30-13, putting the Bears’ 2024 season at a merciful end.
Vinnie Parise (11-5): Packers 31, Bears 6
This is going to be an absolute blowout at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. They are an elite team coming off a close loss to an actually respectable division rival. The Bears are the perfect team to be on Green Bay’s schedule for a tune up ahead of the playoffs. Don’t be surprised if the Packers start benching guys as the game winds down due to preserving health. That won’t stop them from beating their biggest rival by multiple scores.
The Bears can’t score and their defense is firmly broken right now. Jordan Love and the Packers have what they need to keep that from happening. Thomas Brown’s last game with the Bears is unlikely to be a memorable one as he has yet to win as the interim head coach. This won’t be the one either. Beyond replacing Brown, Chicago has a lot of work to do.
Mike Pendleton (8-8): Bears 27, Packers 21
Here’s hoping that the Packers are more focused on the playoffs, than the rivalry matchup, where they can put a stamp on an embarrassing Bears season. The silver lining is the first time these two teams played this season, is that even without throwing a touchdown pass in the game, Caleb Williams was able to will the team in position to potentially win the game, only to be failed by coaching malpractice.
After throwing his first interception in nine games, Williams should let it rip and throw all over the field, and the team should let him. There’s nothing more to lose other than just another game, but if Williams puts on a throwing performance to remember, it could help in the pursuit of the team’s next head coach.
I believe Chicago will keep it close and then Green Bay will pull their starters, giving the Bears even more opportunity. It may very well be a disgusting and ugly performance, but I’ve continued to say the losing streak was going to end, and this is last chance fans will have to see them win, except it’s in enemy territory. A win in Green Bay has been hard to come by, but I think the team will play freely and wildly, allowing themselves the opportunity to put some good game tape together. It’s more than likely false hope, but at least there is hope to be had in Week 18.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs Packers picks: Can Chicago finally snap losing streak?
