Chicago Bears: Sigler’s 2025 game-by-game prediction

On Wednesday, the NFL released the schedule for the Chicago Bears and each team for the 2025 season. New head coach Ben Johnson is inheriting a Bears’ squad that went 5-12 in 2024 under former head coach Matt Eberflus and interim coach Thomas Brown.

The Bears have some momentum entering 2025. Chicago upset the Green Bay Packers 24-22 at Lambeau Field in Week 18. In March, the Bears upgraded the trenches with three starters on the interior offensive line (potentially a new left tackle) and two on the defensive line.

Based on records from 2024, the Bears are tied with the Detroit Lions for having the second-toughest schedule; only the New York Giants have it harder. At $13 million per year, the strength of schedule is no excuse for Johnson not to have Chicago in playoff contention this January.

Chicago Bears 2025 game-by-game prediction

Here are my early predictions for the upcoming season.

Week 1: Vikings at Bears, Sept. 8

Bears win 27-14.

Last season, Caleb Williams lost to two first-round quarterbacks in the 2024 class, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. Williams needs to prove he’s more polished than Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed 2024 with a knee injury he suffered in preseason.

Week 2: Bears at Lions, Sept. 14

Lions win 21-17

The Lions’ offense won’t be the same without Johnson calling the plays, but their defense knows enough of his tendencies to slow Chicago down in the early season.

Week 3: Cowboys at Bears, Sept. 21

Bears win 23-17

The Cowboys have Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens. But they also have Brian Schottenheimer as their head coach. He’s not going to outcoach Johnson? This is a game the Bears win because Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen come up with a strong game plan.

Week 4: Bears at Raiders, Sept. 28

Raiders win 28-23

This game feels like a potential trap for Chicago. The Raiders were awful last year, but they’ve made improvements with head coach Pete Carroll. Quarterback Geno Smith and running back Ashton Jeanty will make the backfield a threat for the Bears, and tight end Brock Bowers can feast against the linebackers corps and safeties.

Week 5 bye

Bad time for a bye. The Bears will have 13 games remaining. Good news, they get an extra week to prepare for a game that they must earn a psychological win.

Week 6: Bears at Commanders, Oct. 13

Bears win 31-28

Last year’s loss via a Jayden Daniels Hail Mary changed the trajectory of the Bears and Commanders. The Commanders made it to the NFC Championship Game. The Bears lost 10 games in a row and fired Everlose. This one will be close again, and Johnson’s aggressiveness allows Chicago to find a way to win.

Week 7: Saints at Bears, Oct. 19

Bears win 38-10

The Saints are tanking for Arch, right?

Week 8: Bears at Ravens, Oct. 26

Ravens 27-24

The Bears find they have the offensive juice to contend with playoff teams. But Johnson & Co. still need to learn how to finish.

Week 9: Bears at Bengals, Nov. 2

Bears win 38-31

The Bengals kept their explosive offense intact by extending the contracts of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and tight end Mike Gesicki. Cincinnati’s defense will still be a glaring issue this season, and they might not have defensive end Trey Hendrickson on the field. Chicago must win a game like this to make the playoffs.

Week 10: Giants at Bears, Nov. 9

Bears win 24-14

The Giants have made improvements this offseason, but Russell Wilson/Jaxson Dart aren’t scaring me, even with Malik Nabers. If the Bears’ improved offensive line can handle their assignments against Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence II, and Abdul Carter, they should win this one easily.

Week 11: Bears at Vikings, Nov. 16

Vikings win 28-24

McCarthy gains confidence through the season working with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. It’s not easy to win in Minnesota.

Week 12: Steelers at Bears. Nov. 23

Bears win 28-17

Remember when the Bears knocked out Brett Favre to end his career? Chicago owns Aaron Rodgers in 2025.

Week 13: Bears at Eagles, Nov. 28

Eagles win 31-17

The Bears just aren’t there yet.

Week 14: Bears at Packers, Dec. 7

Bears win 31-23

The Bears have a better team on paper this year than the Packers. Green Bay has serious issues with the defensive line and secondary. They need to sweep the Pack.

Week 15: Browns at Bears, Dec. 14

Bears win 20-17

This one could turn into a slugfest. The Browns’ pass rush with Myles Garrett will be strong, and their backfield will be better with Quinshon Judkins. But who will be under center for this game?

Week 16: Packers at Bears, Dec. 20

Bears win 27-24

Clean sweep.

Week 17: Bears at 49ers, Dec. 28

49ers win 31-24

The Bears make this one a lot closer than 2024’s 38-13 beatdown, but Kyle Shanahan’s team prevails at home.

Week 18: Lions at Bears, Dec. 4

Bears win 34-24

Johnson has the team motivated to knock off his former team at Soldier Field and notch a berth in the postseason. This time, the Bears leave no doubt with an emphatic win over Detroit.

Bears 2025 record: 11-6

The Bears have the roster talent to win 10-11 games this season. They’re paying Johnson enough to make it happen. 11-6 is what Jim Harbaugh was able to make happen in his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers. Johnson has no excuses not to be coaching football after Week 18.

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