Imagine magic words echoing around Millenium Park in Chicago as curious hands rub the air beside the huge polished stainless steel bean. A mysterious mist fills the air, as visions of the future are summoned from within the magical bean. A massive fortune-telling cloud forms, and onlookers hold their breath. Gander deep into the Cloud Gate with them to see the future for the first six games of the 2024 season for the Chicago Bears.
The First Four – Bear Down for the Ride
Week One – Host Tennessee Titans – Sun 09/08 · noon CDT – The game plan for rookie QB Caleb Williams is a nice mix of rushing and pass plays. The short and intermediate pass game takes off, the rushing attack gets chunk yardage and we see at least two deep shots taken down the field per quarter.
On defense, safety Kevin Byard III gets a pick against his former squad and the Defense racks up four sacks on Mayo Man – Titans QB, Will Levis. The Bears’ run defense allows some rushing yardage but stiffens near the goalline – not allowing any rushing touchdowns. Bears cover the 4.5-point spread, the under hits, and the favored Bears win at home 25-19.
Week Two – @ Houston Texans – Sun 09/15 · 7:20 PM CDT – Caleb Williams’s first prime-time game. The playbook is forced to open up because the Bears’ offense needs to keep pace with the Texans’ high-powered air attack. It’s a big game from Rome Odunze and Caleb throws his first interception. With all weapons on display, the Bears barely miss on several game-changing plays, revealing the low volume of playing time the #1 offense has had together through the preseason up to this point.
The Bears’ screen game is a huge factor and Swift gets loose on a couple of big gains. The Bears’ pass defense has a few struggles allowing big yardage and some long touchdowns, but they bolster the run defense. CJ Stroud picks up where he left off last season and finds his new playmakers on offense Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon on short passes throughout the game, opening up Tank Dell and Nico Collins down the field for a few shots that hit. In an exciting game, the over cashes out but the Bears do not cover the spread and lose to the favored Texans 26 – 22.
Week Three – @ Indianapolis Colts – Sun 09/22 · noon CDT – The Bears’ defense makes it another priority to take away the run game against Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, and company. With marginal success – the defense accomplishes its goal and forces the Colts to throw more than they want to. The Colts’ passing game sputters and the Bears hold their #1 WR Michael Pittman Jr. to a season-low in catches.
The game slows down a bit for Caleb Williams and he has his best performance of the year, notching two passing touchdowns and breaking the 300-yard mark for the first time while getting sacked twice and throwing another two interceptions. The Bears get a defensive touchdown in this one and excel in the kicking game, beating the favored Colts at home 26-23. Cash the over in a game that looks ugly at times.
Week Four – Host LA Rams – Sun 09/29 · noon CDT – The Bears are 1.5-point favorites in this one at home, but the Rams come to play on a windy day at Soldier Field. In a surprising offensive stalemate – Caleb plays well, but the offense can’t get much going and the defense carries the team. With more running plays than passing plays, the Bears’ offense moves the ball slower than the previous games.
Special teams are a big factor in this one, with each team allowing a return TD and the field goal kickers Cairo Santos and Rams’ rookie Joshua Karty get a workout. Both teams play relatively well and keep things tight all game long. In an old-school Bears defensive performance, the offense can’t do quite enough and the Bears lose at home, missing a long last-second FG attempt, 21-20. Cash the under.
Bears Find Themselves Against the Panthers
Week five – Host Carolina Panthers – Sun 10/06 · noon CDT – On a bad day to be a Carolina Panther, the Chicago Bears put it together in all three phases of the game, giving Bears fans a show at home. Caleb Williams cracks the 300-yard mark for the second time this season and D.J. Moore finally has one of his signature games, scoring twice and going for over 130 receiving yards. Caleb Williams has a career-high in rushing yards and Khalil Herbert gets loose on one receiving and one rushing score.
The Bears get another defensive touchdown, via a fumble recovery, and Cairo Santos is perfect on PAT and FG attempts. Bryce Young struggles with forcing balls to receivers who can’t get any separation from the Bears’ secondary and the front seven shuts down the run. Sacks, fumbles, and picks in this one as Chicago wins big 42-13. Bet the over to make some cash, and the Bears go to 3-2 on the season as they head across the pond to play the Jags in London.
Oi Bruv! Good to be a Footballer, Innit?
Week six – “Host” Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun 10/13 · 8:30 AM CDT – Chicago flies to England for a “home” game riding the confidence from last week’s win. Though the field will be painted in Bears colors – the Jaguars play in England every season, so it’s more like a game in front of their home crowd. Caleb Williams and the Bears don’t care. Williams takes his stoic attitude and steady nerves to the next level and has stellar back-to-back performances, throwing for over 250 yards and no interceptions. The ground game gets going for the Bears as they take advantage of fewer defenders in the box with Jacksonville choosing to try and tame the Bears’ passing attack.
Roschon Johnson gets the nod in this game and has the most totes for the most yards. All runningbacks are productive as the screen game also pays dividends. Caleb takes the most sacks as he has all season, largely due to good coverage and the Jags’ pass rush getting home – not due to his rookie tendency of climbing the pocket unnecessarily. Chicago’s defense plays well but does give up a few big plays to Jags TE Evan Engram. Travis Etienne has a nice game rushing for the Jags, but the Bears keep him out of the endzone. Trevor Lawrence plays OK, but the Bears secondary lock down Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis, forcing other Jags to make plays.
The Jaguars were one-point favorites in this game when this article was written, so the chances of that changing to favor the Bears are good. Watch the odds to swing in this one. Chicago Bears win this game in an entertaining matchup for the NFL fans in London, 33-30 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Smash the over in this matchup and watch the point spread, but the Chicago Bears will be heading into their bye week 4-2, and right in the thick of things in the NFC North.
Conclusion
In an up-and-down start – the Bears catch their stride earning back-to-back wins heading into their week seven bye. Not a bad place to be, especially since they do not play their first division game until week 11 against the Packers at Soldier Field. The Bears return from their bye week in week eight on the road at the Washington Commanders for a tilt with fellow first-round rookie QB, Jayden Daniels. What will the magic bean say about the middle third of the Bears’ season? Stay tuned for the second installment of “Chicago Bears Fortune Teller”.
For More Great Content
Are you desiring top-tier content that covers everything? From thrilling sports and intoxicating entertainment news to gaming tips and professional betting advice, Total Apex covers it all. Delve into our no-fluff articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the latest scoops in the gaming industry that will take your experiences to the next level.
Finally, our betting advice will give you a decisive edge over the competition and increase your odds of beating the books. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, Total Apex is your one-stop shop for all things compelling and relevant. Don’t forget we cover Fantasy Sports, too!
Check out all our sites: Total Apex Sports, Total Apex Fantasy Sports, Total Apex Entertainment, Total Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Gaming. Out of the ashes of obscurity will rise a beast. Always remember to Respect The Hustle! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports to stay informed.
