Chicago Bears: Bold Predictions For Week 1 Matchup vs Packers

The Chicago Bears take on the hated rival Green Bay Packers in Week 1 of the season. Here are some bold predictions for the game.

It is here! The start of the Chicago Bears‘ 2023 season is finally upon us. They take on their hated rivals, the Green Bay Packers.

While the Packers have been a real pain to Chicago’s side, the hope is things turn around this season. Gone is Chicago Bears killer Aaron Rodgers. The Packers shipped him off to the New York Jets so he cannot torment the Bears twice yearly anymore.

Now the Bears face Jordan Love. Will Love be the third consecutive great quarterback for Green Bay? The Bears hope not. Whatever happens, this may be the perfect time to see him. He has to build chemistry with his receivers in a real game.

The Bears have a new look. Many of the players who were on the 2022 roster that finished 3-14 and lost their final 10 games are gone. There is an infusion of talent and depth on the roster now.

There is a change in thinking now. Previously, Chicago Bears fans hoped that the team could beat the Packers despite the lack of evidence that they could. Now, however, the Bears have a more legitimate chance of winning.

This will be an exciting and interesting game. Can the Bears show that there is a new era in the rivalry, or will it be the same old story of being close but still losing?

Here are some bold predictions for the game:

Johnson shines

Rookie running back Roschon Johnson had a terrific training camp. He also did well in his appearances in the preseason games. It looks as if he is the future of the Chicago Bears running attack.

While starter Khalil Herbert and main backup D’Onta Foreman have the skills to be successful, it is Johnson who is the complete package. He has the quickness and elusiveness that Herbert has. Additionally, he is a powerful runner like Foreman. He also does something the other two cannot — he is an effective pass-catcher.

That, along with his ability to block for quarterback Justin Fields will help Johnson to eventually take over as the starter. It won’t be right away but it will happen.

Prediction: Johnson runs for 72 yards and a touchdown.

The Bears’ pass rush makes an impressive debut

We all know how horrible the Chicago Bears pass rush was last season. Chicago ranked last in sacks and in quarterback knockdowns. Basically, opposing quarterbacks could eat a sandwich before finding an open receiver.

General manager Ryan Poles wanted to change that. He invested a lot in improving the defensive line. Now, there are two new starters, DeMarcus Walker and Yannick Ngakoue. Rasheem Green and Dominique Robinson are backups.

Additionally, Andrew Billings, Justin Jones, Gervon Dexter, and Zacch Pickens help clog up the middle. The hope is that if the guys in the middle do their jobs and attract double teams, the ends will have plenty of one-on-one battles. They should win more of those this season.

The Bears need to put pressure on Love. If they do, perhaps Love tries to rush and commits a few errors. That could then lead to turnovers.

Prediction: Bears sack Love four times and have two interceptions.

Moore shows out in his Chicago Bears debut

When the Chicago Bears traded the top overall pick in the draft to the Carolina Panthers for picks and D.J. Moore it raised a lot of hope. The offense finally has the WR1 that it desperately needs.

Then training camp began and Moore caught nearly everything thrown his way. That brought more excitement.

When Moore took a screen pass 62 yards for a touchdown on his first target it nearly caused an earthquake in Chicago. The expectations are through the roof now.

Moore won’t disappoint in his debut. Despite being one of the best receivers in the league he did not receive the credit he deserved. Now in Chicago, the third-largest market in the NFL, he will receive that attention. Succeeding in Chicago will certainly raise his profile.

Prediction: Moore has 103 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Fields does his best to finally earn a win against the Packers

Justin Fields knows how big the Chicago Bears/Green Bay Packers rivalry is. He wants to be winning games against them. However, he has not been able to do it. He is 0-4 against Green Bay. There have been some close matchups, but the Packers ended up pulling away late in their matchups.

Now Fields wants to change things. He has more weapons and better protection. He also has a stronger rushing attack. Yes, the Bears led the league in rushing last season. The main reason for that, though, was Fields’ 1,143 rushing yards.

The Bears don’t want to have Fields rushing as much as he did last season. They don’t want him to take the punishment he took in 2022. He could still be an effective runner and not take as many hits.

Fields also has the opportunity to show he can win games with his arm. He showed flashes last season but his lack of confidence in the receivers kept him from being consistent.

With more talent around him, Fields can show what he can do with that arm.

Prediction: Fields completes 65 percent of his passes for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns. He runs for 56 yards and a touchdown.