The full 2025 NFL Schedule dropped on Wednesday, May 14. With it comes a wave of predictions for how each team will perform this year.
The Bears have successfully improved the talent and competition across their entire roster this offseason. In fact, they might have done the impossible; they have a strong claim for being crowned as the offseason champions.. for the third year in a row. In all seriousness, they look like legitimate contenders on paper.
While the team (and, more importantly, the coaching staff) might be improved, the road ahead will be difficult in Ben Johnson’s first year at the helm. They are tied for the second most difficult strength of schedule based on last season’s results. That should come as no surprise considering they were in the cellar of the division with the best winning percentage in NFL history. There is, however, reason for optimism about what lies ahead.
Week One vs. Minnesota
The schedule makers threw the Bears a bone with this one. Not only will it be JJ McCarthy’s first game, but it’s also in the not-so-friendly confines of Soldier Field… against a talented (and hopefully more opportunistic under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen) Bears’ defense on primetime. McCarthy will show flashes, and Kevin O’Connell will definitely make life as easy as possible on his young QB, but it’s safe to say Ben Johnson will do the same.
The Vikings have only given up 30 points seven times since Brian Flores arrived in the Twin Cities. Ben Johnson-led offenses were responsible for four of those instances. I think he goes for a fifth on September 8th.
Bears win 31-23
Week Two @ Detroit
Fans won’t have to wait long for the Ben Johnson revenge game, as the Bears head to Detroit in Week Two. Honestly, I’m a bit surprised the league didn’t put a star by this matchup as a primetime showdown, but I digress. The loss of Johnson will hurt the Lions offense (like, a lot), just like the loss of their defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will hurt their defense (about the same amount).
However, extremely talented teams find ways to come out on top, even through coaching changes. The Lions definitely fit that billing. Oh, and I’m sure Lions fans’ newfound hatred of Johnson will create a difficult environment for the coach looking for his first road win.
Lions win 27-24
Week Three vs. Dallas
Speaking of difficult environments, the Cowboys should be in for one when they travel to the Windy City in Week Three. Not only will they be on the road, but they will be facing off against Ben Johnson after a loss. The Lions have had nine losses since Week Nine of the 2022 season (when Detroit experienced a massive turning point and finished the year 9-8 after starting 1-6) and they followed up those losses by scoring 30 or more points six times. They also hit the 40-point mark on three occasions.
I know those are a lot of words to say that Johnson tends to cook after an L, but I felt the context was important. Comparing the two situations may be like comparing apples to oranges, but Johnson has always been that guy. Dallas has some offensive firepower of their own, but I think they’re in for a rough one.
Bears win 31-24
Week Four @ Las Vegas
Chicago will stay in the winning column for their Week Four matchup in Vegas. The Raiders added some much-needed talent to the offensive side of the ball this offseason, but they didn’t really move the needle on the defensive side. They may have some blue-chip talent along the defensive line, but their back seven leaves an awful lot to be desired. I think the Bears’ talented group of weapons will be too much for the Raiders to overcome.
If the Bears want to eclipse the 40-point mark this year, I think Las Vegas will give them their best chance to pull it off.
Bears win 41-26
Week Five Bye
The Bears got shafted with an extremely early bye week, especially with a loaded back-end of the schedule. However, they are at least sitting pretty at 3-1. Optimism is flowing and Ben Johnson eats for free in the city.
Week Six @ Washington
The Bears will have a chance to avenge last season’s heartbreaking loss to Washington after the Bye Week. I think this sets up well for Chicago, as Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen will have two weeks (and a day) to go to work and study up on the Commanders’ game film. I know what you’re going to say; Didn’t they face off against Washington after the Bye Week last year too? Yes smart***, and the Commanders escaped with one of the luckiest wins in recent memory. That was also with Matt Eberflus and Shane Waldron calling the shots on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
Do you know who else remembers the Landover Lob? Caleb Williams. I promise he has this matchup favorited. The Bears will find a way to pull off the upset on primetime.
Bears win 31-30
Week Seven vs. New Orleans
The Saints probably won’t win many games this year, and I definitely don’t think they’ll come out in the winning column when they make the trip to Chicago in Week Seven. The QB battle between Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener is bound to be one for the ages. Great for entertainment value (if you’re going up against them), but bad for their chances to field a quality offense.
The Bears get the job done here. They move to 5-1 on the season with an impressive victory over a somewhat rudderless team.
Bears win 27-13
Week Eight @ Baltimore
The Bears are off to an extremely hot start thus far, but they are bound to run into some turbulence eventually. The Week Eight matchup against the Ravens will definitely provide that test. In fact, I would go as far as to say that I’d be shocked if Chicago goes into Baltimore and knocks off the Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry-led Ravens. They’re just too well-rounded, consistent, and downright dominant.
They will hold their own and stick around for a while, but will ultimately fall to 5-2 and get knocked down a peg here.
Ravens win 31-17
Week Nine @ Cincinnati
The Bears have another difficult matchup in Week Nine when they travel to Cincinnati. The Trey Hendrickson contract situation is one of the biggest storylines across the entire league. He’s a legitimate game-breaker who has had 17.5 sacks in each of the past two years. Their pass rush and defense, as a whole, will take a massive hit without him in the lineup (as he has threatened if he doesn’t get a new deal).
I still think Hendrickson will end up playing out the final year of his deal and will be in the lineup against Chicago. That will make it difficult for Chicago to come out with a win.
Bengals win 27-20
Week Ten vs. New York Giants
The Bears should get back into the winning column via a Week Ten home matchup against the Giants. New York’s new-look defense might give Ben Johnson’s offense some trouble, but the Bears defense should hold their own against whoever comes out on top of one of the most entertaining QB rooms in recent memory.
Whether it be Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, or Jameis Winston, under center for New York I don’t expect the Giants to come out on top in Chicago. The Bears are relieved to get back into the winning column ahead of their most difficult stretch.
Bears win 20-14
Week Eleven @ Minnesota
The Bears were lucky to get McCarthy in his first career start, but they won’t get so lucky the second time around. The second-year signal caller should find his footing by this point, and that’s not ideal for a Bears team looking for a win on the road. The Vikings will have this game circled after losing the opener, and they will definitely come ready to play.
I think it will be a close game, as well as a highly entertaining one. However, I’m not ready to predict a sweep over Minnesota. They’re just far too talented and their coaching is just too good.
Vikings win 31-20
Week Twelve vs. Pittsburgh
The Bears have been waiting a loooooong time to get their revenge on Aaron Rodgers. Rumor has it they might finally get their chance to do so when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12. I assume he will eventually put pen to paper there because he’s their only chance to win more than four games and they’re his only chance to start a game. It’s kind of like an arraigned marriage.
The Steelers have talent across the board, but I don’t think it will be enough to overcome a motivated (Rodgers may be wearing a different uniform, but he’s still the guy who claimed ownership over the franchise in his last road game against the team), and equally talented Bears team.
Bears win 23-20
Week Thirteen @ Philadelphia
The Bears currently sit at 7-4 heading into their most difficult matchup to date (although the Ravens game was close). It will be a good litmus test to see whether they can make some noise in the playoffs or are still a year away from being a true contender. Unfortunately for Chicago, the Eagles are far too talented to lose a home game to this Bears team.
It’s a good thing this game will be on Black Friday instead of Thanksgiving because I don’t think Bears fans will have much to be thankful for after this one.
Eagles win 30-20
Week Fourteen @ Green Bay
Green Bay week! Remember when I said Ben Johnson tends to go to work after a loss? I’m not sure he will get much sleep from November 28 to December 7. I fully expect the first game of the Matt LaFleur and Ben Johnson rivalry (it’s going to be a thing because we are going to make it a thing) to be a good one.
The Bears were a blocked field goal away from sweeping the Packers for the first time since 2007 last year. That was with an inept coaching staff and much less talent. I really think this team can pull off the upset and get a win in enemy territory.
Bears win 31-27
Week Fifteen vs. Cleveland
Remember when I said the Giants might have the most entertaining QB room in NFL history? Well, the same can be said for the Browns. I don’t have a clue who will be under center for Cleveland in December.. but I don’t think it will matter much when they travel to Chicago in December.
The Browns are always chasing their next quarterback and, somehow, I think they still might be a QB away from fielding a competitive roster. Their defense is legit though. They’ll give the offense some issues.
Bears win 20-14
Week Sixteen vs. Green Bay
The schedule maker’s decision to have the Bears and Packers face off twice in three weeks was an interesting one, to say the least. I know Ben Johnson had a 5-1 record against the Packers while he was Detroit’s offensive coordinator, but I think a motivated Packers team will get their lick back the second time around. LaFleur is a great offensive mind in his own right and I think he will want to put that on display in this one.
The Bears will have to wait a bit longer to pull off the sweep.
Packers win 27-23
Week Seventeen @ San Francisco
The 49ers are one of the more interesting teams in the league. I could see them finishing the year with as many as 13 wins and as few as 5 wins. Can Brandon Aiyuk succeed as the unquestioned number-one receiver? Can Christian McCaffrey stay healthy? Will he still be the same after an injury-marred 2024 campaign? Do they have enough talent on the defensive side of the ball to be true contenders?
I ultimately think they will have a bounce-back season (assuming CMC answers the aforementioned questions affirmatively). It will be tough for Chicago to go into San Francisco and come out with a win. It should be a competitive game though.
49ers win 28-23
Week Eighteen vs. Detroit
Have you ever heard that Ben Johnson is a DOG coming off a loss? I’m calling my shot now.. the Bears’ season finale matchup against Detroit will be flexed into the Sunday night time slot. Not only will it be a fun matchup with potential playoff implications (which is essential to the season finale primetime conversation), but the Ben Johnson revenge game narrative will also feed families.
I have the Bears heading into the matchup with a 9-7 record, and they would probably have to come out on top to grab a Wild Card spot. Believe it or not, I think they will pull it off. Johnson’s first season in Chicago will have some bumps in the road, but he will inject excitement into the fanbase and turn the Bears into a playoff-caliber team that can go toe-to-toe with some of the best in the league.
Bears win 31-28
