The Chicago Bears (7-3) will battle the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) this Sunday, where Chicago is looking to win their eighth game in the last nine while maintaining first place atop the NFC North.
The Bears are coming off another comeback win, this time against the Minnesota Vikings, where Chicago booted a game-winning field goal to take sole possession of first place in the division. It also marked their fifth fourth-quarter comeback of the season, which leads the NFL. The Bears offense struggled to score touchdowns and had to settle for field goals while Chicago’s defense did its part, including forcing two more turnovers. But special teams saved the day with Devin Duvernay’s big return and Santos’ game-winner.
Now, the Bears will face a Steelers team that leads the AFC North and possesses a defense that’s among the best in getting after the quarterback. And they’ll also (potentially) face a familiar foe in Aaron Rodgers, whose status is still up-in-the-air.
Can Chicago get their first win over (possibly) Aaron Rodgers since 2018 and maintain their standing in first place in the NFC North? Our Bears Wire staff make their game predictions for Bears-Vikings in Week 11:
Alyssa Barbieri (7-3): Bears 27, Steelers 24
There have been plenty of people questioning just how good the Bears are after escaping with close wins en route to their 7-3 record and first place in the NFC North. Sunday’s game against the Steelers would be the perfect opportunity for Ben Johnson’s team to make yet another statement as they look to retain their playoff positioning heading into a rough stretch of games.
The biggest storyline surrounding this game is whether Aaron Rodgers will suit up as he’s dealing with a left wrist injury. And Chicago might have a better chance of beating the Steelers if Rodgers is playing, as crazy as that sounds. He’s struggled this season, and it’s clear he’s not the same player he was in his prime. Then again, Chicago has some injuries at linebacker with Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell that could make things rough on defense as Pittsburgh deploys their tight end trio in the middle of the field.
But the Bears could also be getting back Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who’s been on injured reserve since Week 3 after groin surgery. Cornerback Kyler Gordon, who’s also back at practice, is more of a longshot to play. But the secondary is getting healthier. Still, this feels like a game where Chicago’s offense needs to step up to carry the team amid defensive injuries and facing a Mike Tomlin-led team. The Bears settled for too many field goals in last week’s win, and that won’t fly against this Steelers team.
With that said, this feels like one of the more winnable games left on the Bears’ schedule heading into this final stretch of games. It won’t be easy by any stretch of the imagination — when has it been this season? — but who am I to pick against a Bears team that’s won eight of their last nine games.
Brendan Sugrue (6-4): Steelers 23, Bears 20
There’s nothing quite like the buildup to a Bears-Packers game, but this matchup against the Steelers isn’t far behind. Bears fans have had this one circled for months ever since it became obvious that Aaron Rodgers would become the Steelers quarterback. And now it’s here with playoff implications for both teams well into the season. You’ve got to love it.
While these two teams match up against each other very well, I was feeling optimistic about the Bears’ chances for much of the week. Rodgers is banged up and may not play on Sunday, while the Bears are getting healthier in the secondary with Jaylon Johnson possibly returning. Then I saw the injury concerns surrounding the linebackers, and my whole tune changed.
When it comes to this matchup, the Bears linebackers are the key to defending Rodgers and the Steelers offense. They consistently attack the flats and the middle of the field with their three-headed monster at tight end, as well as their running backs. If Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards, and Noah Sewell all can’t go, Rodgers is going to be a master manipulator with the likes of Amen Ogbongbemiga, D’Marco Jackson, and Ruben Hyppolite. Even if he’s banged up with a broken wrist.
It will be up to the Bears offense to make magic happen, and while I believe Caleb Williams and Co. will do enough to keep them in the game, their fourth-quarter magic won’t be enough this time. The Steelers have a ferocious pass rush (33 sacks), and facing two aggressive fronts in consecutive weeks will be too much to overcome for the young quarterback. A late Steelers field goal, thanks to some all-too-familiar slicing and dicing from Rodgers, will be the difference.
Mike Pendleton (7-3): Bears 31, Steelers 17
Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger are not walking through that door, and if it’s Aaron Rodgers, I’m not sold on carrying over his success against the organization from his time with Green Bay to this year with the Steelers. Pittsburgh has played well this season, well enough to get into first place in the AFC North, but the Ravens are on their heels and they look like the team that is getting better as the season goes on more than Pittsburgh is.
Chicago’s injuries to the linebacker position are going to be critical, especially with the Steelers ability to use three different tight ends and run the ball. The secondary could see a big boost in returns from either Jaylen Johnson or Kyler Gordon, possibly both, and that could make a world of difference.
If Rodgers is under center on Sunday, Pittsburgh has much more of a fighting chance, but I’m still confident that Chicago will get the victory at home. If Mason Rudolph is under center, I believe Chicago rolls.
Vinnie Parise (6-4): Bears 21, Steelers 20
There has been a lot of noise surrounding Aaron Rodgers and his injury to his wrist. Is he going to play against the Chicago Bears? Is Mason Rudolp going to get the nod in his place?
Rodgers, throughout his career, has tortured the Bears as the leader of the Green Bay Packers. Now, he’s on a farewell tour with the Steelers after two years with the New York Jets.
The Bears defense thrives on turning the ball over, and Rodgers is elite at protecting the football, even in 2025. That is the main difference between facing him and Rudolph. It feels like Rodgers is going to give it a go, so Chicago has to be prepared for that.
Through it all, this is Chicago’s final chance to give Rodgers a loss in Chicago. They haven’t done it much. Although most of the players on the team weren’t there for much of Rodgers’ tenure in Green Bay, they are well aware of what this matchup means. In the end, they will find a way to narrowly get it done.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Steelers predictions, picks: Who wins in Week 12?
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Brendan Sugrue, Mike Pendleton and Vincent Parise, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
