{"id":9057,"date":"2025-06-06T15:25:57","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T15:25:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umyonews.site\/index.php\/2025\/06\/06\/2025-bears-game-by-game-predictions-playoffs-in-year-1-under-ben-johnson\/"},"modified":"2025-06-06T15:25:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T15:25:57","slug":"2025-bears-game-by-game-predictions-playoffs-in-year-1-under-ben-johnson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/umyonews.site\/index.php\/2025\/06\/06\/2025-bears-game-by-game-predictions-playoffs-in-year-1-under-ben-johnson\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Bears game-by-game predictions: Playoffs in Year 1 under Ben Johnson?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Carmen<\/div>\n
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\n Carmen Vitali\n <\/p>\n

\n NFL Reporter\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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I\u2019m optimistic about the Chicago Bears<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a sentence I haven\u2019t said in a while. They\u2019ve done everything right (and differently!) this offseason, and it looks like they\u2019ll be much improved this season.<\/p>\n

However, that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean the Bears will be in the playoffs or win the NFC North. They still have to walk before they can run. After winning just five games last season, the bar for improvement is pretty low. I think they\u2019ll surpass their 2024 win total, but let\u2019s not get carried away with expectations again in Ben Johnson\u2019s first year as head coach. There will still be an adjustment period as the team gets used to his system and as he learns his roster.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, here’s an early look and prediction for each game on Chicago’s schedule.\u00a0<\/p>\n

CHI -115, MIN -105<\/i><\/p>\n

At home in what will presumably be Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy<\/a>\u2019s first start, I think the Bears have the upper hand. That is, if Brian Flores\u2019 defense isn\u2019t already in midseason form.<\/p>\n

Result: <\/strong>Win, 1-0 record<\/p>\n

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The Bears lost both their games against the Vikings last year and have dropped seven of eight in the series. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n

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Week 2: at Detroit Lions<\/a>, Sunday, Sept. 14 (FOX)<\/h2>\n

CHI +180, DET -218<\/i><\/p>\n

The NFL schedule makers wasted no time bringing Ben Johnson back to Detroit, and there\u2019s going to be so much extra juice there that I think the Bears can propel themselves to a win for their new coach. It also may take some time for the new coordinators in Detroit to get their footing,<\/strong> as well as defensive end Aidan Hutchinson<\/a> to return to form.<\/p>\n

Result: <\/strong>Win, 2-0 record<\/p>\n

Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys<\/a>, Sunday, Sept. 21 (FOX)<\/h2>\n

CHI -155, DAL +130<\/i><\/p>\n

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott<\/a> will be back from injury and a couple of weeks into the groove of the new season. Dallas added more weapons for him as well as help up front, so I would count on a strong start to the season for the Cowboys.<\/p>\n

Result: <\/strong>Loss, 2-1 record<\/p>\n

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CHI -120, LV +100<\/i><\/p>\n

This is a complete toss-up with the overhaul that happened in Vegas this offseason. I\u2019m betting it\u2019s early enough in the season that the Raiders haven\u2019t found their stride quite yet. On paper, Chicago has the better team, too.<\/p>\n

Result: <\/strong>Win, 3-1 record<\/p>\n

Week 5: BYE<\/h2>\n

CHI +164, WSH -198<\/i><\/p>\n

Chicago will be itching to avenge last year’s loss to Washington on an insane Hail Mary, but as the Rolling Stones told us, you can\u2019t always get what you want. The Commanders only got better from last season and still have a ton of momentum coming off a deep playoff run that saw them challenge for the NFC title way ahead of schedule.<\/p>\n

Result: <\/strong>Loss, 3-2 record<\/p>\n

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The Commanders took down the Bears when the teams met last season thanks to a game-winning Hail Mary touchdown. (Brian Cassella\/Chicago Tribune\/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n

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CHI -325, NO +260<\/i><\/p>\n

This is one of the only benefits of this year\u2019s fourth-place schedule. The Saints will presumably be relying on a rookie to be their starting quarterback, and they still have holes all over their roster. It doesn\u2019t seem like their bounce back is coming this season, so this should be a win for Chicago.<\/p>\n

Result: <\/strong>Win, 4-2 record<\/p>\n

CHI +245, BAL -305<\/i><\/p>\n

Playing Lamar Jackson<\/a> is always a challenge, but playing him in Baltimore will be especially difficult.<\/p>\n

Result: <\/strong>Loss, 4-3 record<\/p>\n

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Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson finished second in the voting last season despite being first-team All-Pro. (Photo by Michael Owens\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n

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CHI +136, CIN -162<\/i><\/p>\n

Getting the AFC North was really a tough straw to draw for the NFC North, which is already the toughest division in football. Sure, the Bengals finished in third place in their division last season, but with some shakeups and retentions this offseason, I don\u2019t expect Cincinnati to be down for long.<\/p>\n

Result: <\/strong>Loss, 4-4 record<\/p>\n

Week 10: vs. New York Giants<\/a>, Sunday, Nov. 9 (FOX)<\/h2>\n

CHI -218, NYG +180<\/i><\/p>\n

There are a lot of question marks with the Giants still, perhaps not who will start at quarterback in Week 1 but certainly in Week 10. They also still need a ton of help along the offensive line, so this should work in Chicago\u2019s favor.<\/p>\n

Result:<\/strong> Win, 5-4 record<\/p>\n

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Will rookie QB Jaxson Dart be starting for the Giants by the middle of the season? (Photo by Adam Hunger\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n

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Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 16 (FOX)<\/h2>\n

CHI +110, MIN -130<\/i><\/p>\n

I think it\u2019s a pipe dream for any NFC North team to sweep a division rival this year. The Bears have been the division punching bag for the past few seasons under Matt Eberflus, so splitting the season series in Johnson\u2019s first year is a big win for them.<\/p>\n

Result: <\/strong>Loss, 5-5 record<\/p>\n

CHI -130, PIT +110<\/i><\/p>\n

The Steelers’ defense is still formidable, but I think any team can win against them as long as they don\u2019t have a franchise guy under center. It’s hard to say what exactly Aaron Rodgers is at this point.<\/p>\n

Result:<\/strong> Win, 6-5 record<\/p>\n

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Aaron Rodgers has tortured the Bears throughout his career. Will he do so again in 2025? (Photo by Joe Sargent\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n

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CHI +250, PHI -310<\/i><\/p>\n

A year ago, Chicago came out of Thanksgiving weekend in search of a new head coach, so a date with the defending champs at their place actually marks a slight improvement. The Eagles never seem to take a true step back, even after reaching the mountaintop thanks to general manager Howie Roseman\u2019s team-building efficiency.<\/p>\n

Result: <\/strong>Loss, 6-6 record<\/p>\n

CHI +154, GB -185<\/i><\/p>\n

Winning back-to-back games at Lambeau would really solidify Johnson and quarterback Caleb Willliams as the future of the Bears franchise. For that reason, I think there remains some mystery about Chicago losing to the team up north in their first meeting of the season.<\/p>\n

Result:<\/strong> Loss, 6-7 record<\/p>\n

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The Bears won at Lambeau Field last season for the first time since 2015 \u2014 but it came in Week 18 with the Packers pulling their starters early. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n

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Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns<\/a>, Sunday, Dec. 14 (FOX)<\/h2>\n

CHI -298, CLE +240<\/i><\/p>\n

I want there to be hope for the Browns, but I just don\u2019t think that happens as long as they\u2019re hamstrung by Deshaun Watson<\/a>\u2019s contract. Next year should be a fresh start, but until then, I think they\u2019re the game every team is circling as a win on their schedules.<\/p>\n

Result:<\/strong> Win, 7-7 record<\/p>\n

Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Dec. 20 (FOX)<\/h2>\n

CHI +100, GB -120<\/i><\/p>\n

The Bears get to avenge their loss at Lambeau with a win at Soldier Field \u2014 a place Jordan Love<\/a> is unbeaten at. That\u2019s encouraging in its own right as the Bears start to wrap up the first season of the Johnson era.<\/p>\n

Result:<\/strong> Win, 8-7 record<\/p>\n

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CHI +150, SF -180<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a tough trip, and the 49ers shouldn\u2019t be a rollover opponent despite their fourth-place finish in the NFC West last year. They\u2019re the reason this is not the year to be playing a last-place schedule.<\/p>\n

Result:<\/strong> Loss, 8-8 record<\/p>\n

Week 18: vs. Detroit Lions, TBD<\/h2>\n

CHI +102, DET -122<\/i><\/p>\n

It can\u2019t all be a fairy tale. With a potential playoff berth on the line, Chicago again draws one of its toughest opponents. The Lions will have found their groove by this point and probably be staring down another postseason berth, too, if not the NFC North crown.<\/p>\n

Result: <\/strong>Loss<\/p>\n

Overall record: 8-9<\/p>\n

Carmen Vitali<\/u><\/i><\/a> is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. Carmen had previous stops with The Draft Network and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She spent six seasons with the Bucs, including 2020, which added the title of Super Bowl Champion (and boat-parade participant) to her r\u00e9sum\u00e9. You can follow Carmen on Twitter at <\/i>@CarmieV<\/u><\/i><\/a>.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

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