Bears vs. Steelers Predictions: Caleb Williams, offense look to maintain mojo against Bears killer Aaron Rodgers

LAKE FOREST, Unwell. – Bears quarterback Caleb Williams desires the chance to face off towards one among his childhood idols. However Williams gained’t be between the white traces concurrently Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers till after the ultimate whistle blows on Sunday.

“Throughout the sport and earlier than the sport, it’s us battling versus one another, going to conflict and making an attempt to be 1-0 for our groups,” Williams mentioned Wednesday.

Commercial

Williams’ problem, nonetheless, comes towards a staunch protection hellbent on producing stress on the quarterback.

“They’ve obtained some guys on that facet of the ball,” Williams mentioned. “They’ve obtained some vets. Then additionally they have some actual vets which are playmakers. They only have playmakers on that facet of the ball. Total, the go rush – the 2 guys, 90 and 51.”

No. 90 is T.J. Watt. No. 51 is Nick Herbig. As a go rush duo, they’ve mixed for 12.5 sacks. As a staff, the Steelers have sacked the quarterback 33.0 instances by 11 weeks. Final season, they mixed for simply 40.0.

“Watt is slippery,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle mentioned Thursday. “He performs with excessive effort. They’ve elite get-off, each edge gamers; they’re actually good, and (Watt) will get the soccer out. That’s actually the largest factor about their protection, is the takeaways that present up. However he’s a man that you must account for on each snap. We’ve gone towards these guys a number of totally different instances, and that’s at all times been sort of a key to their protection, is the sting gamers and the get-off.”

Commercial

That go rush towards the Bears’ much-improved offensive line might be a conflict within the trenches. And it’ll be the Bears’ first check towards a staff with a successful document since Week 2 — once they misplaced to the Detroit Lions by 31.

“It’s an ideal problem for us,” Williams mentioned. “We’re excited to go on the market and compete towards them and be capable to present who we’re.”

That brings us to our predictions for Week 12 …

Adam Jahns

2025 document: 8-2

The Bears are lacking their three beginning linebackers and their go rush hasn’t produced a lot however so what? They’ve handled accidents all season lengthy and so they’ve nonetheless discovered methods to win in dramatic vogue. The onus might be on the offense to ship extra towards a Steelers protection that blitzes lots however is suspect in elements. If Caleb Williams could make extra performs than 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers and defend the soccer, Sunday could possibly be a superb day on the lakefront.

Commercial

Bears 27, Steelers 26

[READ | Why the Bears’ offensive line is the driving force behind everything under Ben Johnson]

Adam Hoge

2025 document: 8-2

Nearly each ounce of my mind is telling me to not choose the Bears when Aaron Rodgers might be going through a protection with out their prime three linebackers. Maybe Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon will return and the Bears will play with seven defensive backs on the sector. Unlikely. Nonetheless, you may belief Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen can have a plan — and we’re not used to saying that round right here. This can be a nice alternative for Caleb Williams to place the staff on his again and beat his childhood idol.

Commercial

Bears 24, Steelers 23

[READ | Insider Analysis: Caleb Williams vs. Aaron Rodgers should be embraced, not feared]

Mark Carman

2025 document: 7-3

No linebackers, no downside. Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph. No matter. Can someone say 25-6? Let’s do that.

Bears 24, Steelers 17

Greg Braggs Jr.

2025 document: 7-3

No matter who performs quarterback for the Steelers, the Bears might need run into some good timing, whether or not it’s Aaron Rodgers enjoying with a damaged bone in his left hand or a backup in Mason Rudolph. A struggling Steelers offense can have one other hurdle to beat. If the Bears can defend their QB, Caleb Williams, then I believe they’ll be capable to transfer the ball and rating some factors. It might be actually cool to see Jaylon Johnson make his return as effectively. And so, the streak of me choosing the Bears in each sport this season continues! Why not? Staff of future? Possibly I’ve been hanging round with Adam Rank an excessive amount of with these picks!

Commercial

🥩🏈🌴4LIFE

Bears 27, Steelers 21

Corey Wootton

2025 document: 6-4

TBD

Jerry Azumah

2025 document: 6-4

Bears 24, Steelers 23

Patrick Norton

2025 document: 5-5

Unquestionably, this was a sport Aaron Rodgers had circled on his calendar the second he signed with the Steelers. Assuming that is actually his final hurrah within the league, what higher option to ship the previous Packers’ QB into retirement with a passing-of-the-torch second to Caleb Williams?

Williams has had some signature moments however remains to be on the hunt for that signature win. Might or not it’s Sunday with an entire efficiency towards a protection identified for getting after the quarterback? He’ll want his receivers to provide him a hand — or two, ideally – and make the catches they’re imagined to make. However it’s doable — and winnable.

Commercial

The harm report is a priority however Dennis Allen has achieved wonders shorthanded and within the face of adversity this season.

Bears 33, Steelers 27

Stephen Nicholas

2025 document: 5-5

If Lance Briggs isn’t on our postgame present on Sunday, it’s most likely as a result of the Bears wanted him to play linebacker. Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell are ALL out towards the Steelers. That would make for a extremely tough day for a protection that’s already been slightly too reliant on takeaways. I don’t suppose it is a classic Aaron Rodgers vs. Bears sport for the 41-year-old, however I believe he does simply sufficient to eke by the Bears.

Commercial

The Steelers permit probably the most receiving yards per sport to opposing broad receivers. However Joey Porter Jr. is NOT a matchup to use. He hasn’t allowed a catch within the final 2 weeks. He additionally has but to concede a TD on the season. I anticipate him to largely cowl Rome Odunze, however DJ Moore will see a few of him as effectively. That leaves me taking a look at Luther Burden III for the second consecutive week. The over on his receiving prop that I really helpful final week narrowly hit. I’m going again to the effectively on that and predicting that he burns Brandin Echols for a giant play or two. Echols has allowed 18 receptions on 24 targets within the final 3 weeks.

Steelers 22, Bears 19