Schrock’s game-by-game predictions for Bears’ 2024 season after NFL schedule release originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The long wait finally ended Wednesday when the NFL officially released the entire schedule for the 2024 season, including the path Caleb Williams will have to travel in a highly-anticipated rookie season.
The Bears are projected to face the third-easiest schedule, but the NFL season never goes according to plan. A handful of teams always surprise, and a few expected contenders flop for one reason or another.
Williams and the Bears have cross-division matchups with the AFC South and NFC West. They will also see the New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, and Carolina Panthers, all of whom finished last in their respective divisions in 2023.
We have the opponents and the cadence now, which means it’s time for way-too-early predictions for the Bears’ 2024 season.
Here are my game-by-game predictions for the Bears’ 2024 season after the schedule release. (Editor’s note: Author is not liable for predictions made in mid-May.)
The Caleb Williams era will get a soft launch as Will Levis, Brian Callahan, and the rebuilding Tennessee Titans visit Soldier Field to open the season.
The Titans signed Calvin Ridley in the offseason and replaced Derrick Henry with Tony Pollard. But they also downgraded at head coach by letting go of Mike Vrabel. Callahan could wind up being a good head coach, but the Bears will get him and a young, unproven quarterback right out of the gates.
Tennessee’s defense ranked 17th last season in total defense and 18th in pass defense. But the Titans added cornerbacks L’Jarius Snead and Chidobie Awuzie, as well as linebacker Kenneth Murray this offseason, so their defense should have more teeth in 2024.
That being said, the Bears need to open the season with a win against a team expected to be among the NFL’s worst in 2024.
Williams throws for 290 yards and two touchdowns, and Kyler Gordon picks off Levis in a sweat-free win.
Bears…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/schrocks-game-game-predictions-bears-022447763.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2024-05-16 02:24:47
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