Season Pulse Check
The Chicago Bears are in Baltimore this week to take on the defending AFC North Champion Baltimore Ravens. However, this Sunday will prove to be a defining moment in both teams’ 2025 Campaigns. The Bears come in boasting a 4-2 record in third place in the NFC North while the Ravens sit in last place in the AFC North at 1-5. The Ravens entered the year as a favorite to not only win their division but also the Super Bowl. This team looks nothing like we expected, plagued by injuries, and a defense that can’t stop anything, all sudden Baltimore finds themselves in a must-win game for the rest of the season.
Should the Bears be able to notch a 5th straight win that will surely alleviate the concerns that most Bears fans have knowing that we are sitting in the exact same position as last year at 4-2, before a horrendous collapse. If the Bears can split with Baltimore this week and Cincinnati next week that will surely boost their odds to make the playoffs, currently they sit at a 34% chance to make the playoffs per ESPN.
Bears vs. Saints Recap
The Chicago Bears defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-14, extending their winning streak to four games and continuing a remarkable trend: they’ve scored 21 or more points in every game this season, their best start since 1995. Chicago’s offense leaned heavily on the ground game, racking up 222 rushing yards on 40 carries (5.6 YPC) behind D’Andre Swift (124 yards, 1 TD) and rookie Kyle Monangai (81 yards, 1 TD). The defense was dominant again, forcing four turnovers (three interceptions and one fumble recovery) and sacking Spencer Rattler four times, while holding the Saints to just 44 rushing yards. Special teams chipped in as Jake Moody went 4-for-4 on field goals, capitalizing on short fields created by takeaways.
However, QB Caleb Williams struggled with decision-making, finishing 15-of-26 for 172 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, and a 61.7 passer rating. He missed open reads, held the ball too long, and had two fumbled snaps, leading to stalled drives and field goals instead of touchdowns. While Williams acknowledged his mistakes postgame, his leadership and willingness to improve are encouraging signs. With Chicago’s defense and run game carrying the load, Williams has time to grow, but sharper execution will be critical as tougher opponents like Green Bay and a hungry Baltimore loom.
Bears vs. Ravens Preview
Ravens’ Offensive Identity Without Lamar Jackson: With Lamar Jackson ruled out, Baltimore’s offense shifts dramatically. Tyler Huntley will start, and while he’s a capable backup, the Ravens’ scoring output has plummeted without Jackson—just 13 total points in the last two games compared to 131 points in Jackson’s four starts. Expect Baltimore to lean heavily on Derrick Henry and short passing concepts to Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews. Huntley’s career passer rating (79.0) and limited deep-ball ability mean Baltimore will prioritize ball control and time of possession rather than explosive plays.
Bears’ Opportunistic Defense vs. Ravens’ Turnover Woes: Chicago leads the NFL with 16 takeaways, including at least three in each of their last four games, while Baltimore ranks 31st in turnover margin (-7). Huntley has thrown three interceptions in his last five starts dating back to 2024, and Baltimore’s offensive line has allowed pressure on 34% of dropbacks. This matchup favors Chicago’s aggressive secondary, especially safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III (combined 5 INTs), who will look to bait Huntley into mistakes.
Roquan Smith’s Revenge Game: This is Roquan Smith’s first meeting against the Bears since his contentious trade in 2022 after a contract dispute with GM Ryan Poles. Smith, now a three-time All-Pro with Baltimore, has been vocal about being “excited for the matchup” and wants to show Chicago what they lost. He’s coming off a hamstring injury but remains the centerpiece of Baltimore’s defense, with 34 tackles and a defensive touchdown in limited action this season. Expect Smith to play with extra intensity, especially against Chicago’s surging run game led by D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. His ability to diagnose plays and disrupt blocking schemes could be the X-factor for Baltimore’s defense.
Top Matchups to Watch
Bears’ Run Game vs. Roquan Smith and Ravens’ Front Seven: Chicago has averaged 183.5 rushing yards per game over its last two wins, including 222 yards against New Orleans. Baltimore’s run defense ranks 26th (134.3 YPG allowed) and has surrendered 4.5 yards per carry. With Smith back, the Ravens hope to tighten up, but the Bears’ offensive line has excelled in zone-blocking schemes. If Swift and Monangai continue their hot streak, Chicago can control tempo and keep Huntley off the field.
Bears’ Offensive Line vs. Ravens’ Pass Rush: Baltimore enters this game ranked last in the NFL with only 8 sacks through six games, a glaring weakness for a defense that traditionally thrives on pressure. On paper, this looks like a favorable matchup for Chicago, as Caleb Williams has posted a 105.8 passer rating on third downs (3rd-best in the NFL) when given time to throw. However, the Bears’ offensive line has been plagued by discipline issues that could undermine its solid pass-blocking grades. Chicago ranks 29th in penalties per game (8.6), and the offensive line accounts for a significant share of those infractions: 14 false starts and 8 offensive holding calls, totaling 119 penalty yards.
Individually, RT Darnell Wright leads the team with 6 penalties (including 2 false starts and 2 holdings), while LT Theo Benedet has already been flagged twice for pre-snap mistakes, including an illegal formation that wiped out a touchdown against Washington. These errors often stall drives and negate explosive plays, which is critical against a Ravens defense that struggles to create pressure organically. If Chicago can clean up these mental mistakes, Williams should have time to exploit Baltimore’s secondary—where safeties Malaki Starks and Kyle Hamilton have allowed passer ratings of 129.6 and 137.8, respectively. Conversely, continued penalty issues could flip this matchup, forcing Chicago into long-yardage situations and neutralizing its offensive rhythm.
Bears’ Safeties vs. Tyler “Snoop” Huntley: With Chicago missing CBs Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson, the burden falls on Brisker and Byard to contain Zay Flowers (423 yards) and Mark Andrews. Huntley’s tendency to check down could invite aggressive safety play and disguised blitzes. If Chicago forces Huntley into third-and-long situations, their ball-hawking safeties could swing momentum with turnovers.
Game Prediction
The Bears are primed to secure a 27-17 win over the Ravens, fueled by a bounce-back performance from Caleb Williams, who throws for over 300 yards and connects with Rome Odunze for a touchdown. Expect Chicago’s ground game to complement the aerial attack, with Kyle Monangai finding the end zone behind an offensive line that must eliminate costly pre-snap penalties—already responsible for 14 false starts and 8 holding calls this season.
Defensively, the spotlight falls on Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, whose aggressive play will be critical to containing Derrick Henry and Baltimore’s run-heavy approach without Lamar Jackson. If Chicago maintains discipline up front and wins the turnover battle, they’ll control the tempo and extend their streak. With a victory, the Bears’ playoff chances would surge to roughly 68%, (5-2, which historically gives NFC teams a 65–70% probability of making the postseason, based on ESPN’s Football Power Index and playoff leverage metrics), positioning them as a legitimate NFC North contender.
