Final Score Predictions for Every Bears Primetime Game
The full 2024 Bears' schedule was released and they were given three primetime games this year. A year ago, they had four such games and actually went 3-1. However, those wins came against the Commanders, Panthers, and Vikings so not exactly a gauntlet of teams. This year brings huge expectations with a much-improved roster as well as the start to number-one overall pick Caleb Williams' career.
The Bears may still be a few pieces/years away from true contention, but they should definitely be an above average football team this year. In the past 5-10 years I would say Bears fans have dreaded primetime matchups for the most part due to how unsuccessful the team has been - outside of 2018. There is nothing worse than waiting around all day for your team to play and then watching Velus Jones Jr. drop wide open touchdowns in the endzone of a blowout loss to the Chargers.
However, there is also no better feeling than watching your team dominate from the opening kickoff and enjoy the media talks all week about said performance as was the case after the Commanders game last season.
The hope is that this year is the start of something great in Chicago and they can eventually join the 49ers and Chiefs of the world that have six and five primetime slots this season. America wants to watch the best teams play in these prime slots so becoming a true contender will likely get the Bears in the national spotlight more. The Bears have three very winnable primetime games this year against the Texans, Vikings, and Seahawks. Let's predict the final scores of each of those games.
Week 2: Sept. 15 at Houston (SNF)
The Bears will quickly get thrown into the national spotlight as they travel to Houston in week two to face the Texans who are coming off of a great rookie season from C.J. Stroud. The Texans seem to be pushing for true contention with the moves they made this offseason acquiring Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon, and stud pass-rusher Danielle Hunter. This game should be very competitive with it being early in the season and hopefully no injuries on either side.
It is cliche to say, but this game can be won up front in the trenches. The Texans will boast one of the better pass-rushing duos in the league with Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter so it will be crucial that Bears tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright have good games. If they are able to slow the rush of Houston, there are weaknesses on their back end that the Bears skill players can expose. Derek Stingley Jr. is a solid corner, but Jeff Okudah has bounced around teams and not lived up to his 3rd overall selection in 2020 and Kamari Lassiter is only a rookie.
The Bears defense will have their hands full as well dealing with the likes of Diggs, Collins, and Schultz. Week Two might be a little early for Williams to get into a shootout and come away victorious. I can see this game going either way, but will give the edge to the Texans due to QB experience and being the home team.