5 Bold predictions for Bears vs. Packers
There’s rarely any shortage of drama, big plays, or juice when it comes to the Chicago Bears taking on the Green Bay Packers. Even over the past decade, when the historic rivalry has been one-sided, big moments and incredible plays (both good and bad) have been prevalent. But now as Green Bay turns the page to the Jordan Love era while Chicago continues developing Justin Fields, those moments will still remain and perhaps even favor the Bears for the first time in years.
The Bears and Packers are set to square off to open the 2023 NFL season on Sunday at Soldier Field, and it’s anyone’s guess as to what we’re going to see when the ball is finally kicked off. But we’re doing our best to predict the big moments and performances that will take place.
Our weekly bold predictions series returns for the start of the regular season, and we’re feeling optimistic about those moments and performances going the Bears way this weekend.
1. The Bears score a touchdown on their opening drive
The Bears offense struggled more often than not in 2022, even with the heroics from Fields in the running game. But the one area they excelled in was opening possessions. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy showed a knack for developing a solid script for games, as the Bears scored on 12 opening drives last season in 17 games. With ample time to prepare for this matchup, Getsy does it again.
With a few big runs by both Fields and the running backs, combined with timely completions that move the chains, the Bears will march down the field to score a touchdown on the first drive. That will set the tone for the rest of the afternoon and force Green Bay to play catchup.
2. Robert Tonyan scores against his old team
Could the Bears opening touchdown be a pass to tight end Robert Tonyan? Perhaps it could, but even if he’s not the first one in the end zone, Tonyan will find a way to score against his old team on Sunday. Chicago brought in the former Green Bay Packers tight end in free agency this past March to complement Cole Kmet in the passing game, and he’ll get his chance to make plays.
Tonyan was sensational during the 2020 season when he caught 11 touchdowns, but thanks to injuries, he hasn’t been able to replicate that success. He’s found the end zone just four times in the last two seasons. But if anyone knows how to use him effectively, it’s Getsy, who was with Tonyan in Green Bay for a few years. The Bears will create mismatches with Tonyan down in the red zone, leading to his first score of the season against his old team.
3. D.J. Moore eclipses 100 receiving yards
Did you know the Bears failed to produce a 100-yard receiver in any game last season? That includes wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs. You probably did know that considering how inept the passing game was for much of the year, but in today’s NFL, it’s a sad stat that will not happen again this season. Not with D.J. Moore in the fold.
Bears fans saw glimpses of Moore’s effectiveness during the preseason when he scored on a 62-yard screen pass and had a 40-yard catch and run. But what will he look like for a full 60-minute game? With how Fields has connected with him so quickly, a 100-yard receiving game is certainly on the table. Especially considering Moore has 15 receptions for 251 yards in two career games against Green Bay. He’s going to draw all of the attention from the Packers secondary but it won’t matter. No. 2 is going to be involved early and often to get him over 100 receiving yards.
4. Tyrique Stevenson gets his first career interception
The Bears secondary could be a major strength of the team this year, with defensive backs such as Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, and Eddie Jackson all patrolling the field with the ability to disrupt plays. If the Packers are smart, they will take their chances passing the ball against rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. But even that will come back to bite them at some point.
Stevenson has had ups and downs during the preseason, but that’s to be expected for a rookie cornerback. He bounced back from some rough reps with an interception during the team’s final preseason game and will look to use that momentum this Sunday. He’s going to take his share of lumps as a boom-or-bust defender, but he will capitalize on a poor decision by Love to create a turnover. Especially if the Packers don’t have their full complement of receivers due to injuries.
5. Cairo Santos kicks a game-winning field goal
As if the Bears and Packers games couldn’t get any more dramatic, this one will be a nail-biter all the way to the end. Both teams will trade blows all afternoon, with Green Bay taking the lead late in the fourth quarter. It’s a similar story to what transpired in quite a few games last year, with the Bears falling behind late and not being able to mount one final scoring drive. We even saw it against these Packers at Soldier Field in December. Not this time, though.
Fields and the offense will get one final possession late in the game, and thanks to clutch receptions by players like Moore, Kmet, and Darnell Mooney, plus the gains on the ground with quarterback runs, the Bears will be set up for the go-ahead field goal. Cairo Santos takes care of the rest, converting a field goal attempt to give the Bears the lead and seal a 20-19 victory.
