(104.3 The Score) The Bears (3-2) will visit the Atlanta Falcons (2-3) on Sunday, with kickoff set for noon from Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Our 104.3 The Score pregame show with Zach Zaidman, Olin Kreutz and Patrick Mannelly will begin at 9 a.m. and last until kickoff. Our postgame show will begin around 3 p.m., just after the final buzzer. You can listen to the pregame and postgame show on 104.3 FM or the Audacy app. You can also watch our postgame show on our YouTube and Twitch channels.
You can check out all of The Score’s preview coverage of the Bears-Falcons matchup by clicking here. Below are game predictions from our Score hosts, producers and writers.
David Haugh (3-2): Bears 28, Falcons 27
Everything hinges on Caleb Williams’ return. The threat of Williams could impact the Falcons defense almost as much as the real thing by limiting Atlanta’s ability to load up to stop the run. Defensively, the Bears will benefit from their offense’s ball control and do just enough to slow down the talented Falcons.
Matt Spiegel (2-3): Bears 27, Falcons 24
The Bears respond and improve to 4-2.
Chris Emma (2-3): Bears 25, Falcons 24
This is going to be a weird, back-and-forth game between two teams needing a win. I’m not quite sure how, but the Bears will earn the victory.
Alex Kuhn (2-3): Bears 31, Falcons 21
Expect points here. The Bears’ defensive line is going to have a tough time stopping the Falcons’ running game, and a beat-up Atlanta secondary – possibly without starting cornerback C.J. Henderson – is going to be in for a long day assuming Caleb Williams plays. Expect a bull’s-eye to be on Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes and rookie cornerback Avieon Terrell. Williams comes back and doesn’t miss a beat despite the Bears running game perhaps not being at full strength.
Tyler Buterbaugh (3-2): Bears 24, Falcons 21
After the ugly loss last week, I can’t imagine the Bears have that same type of performance against the Falcons. If it isn’t Caleb Williams out there, I believe Case Keenum will get the start and have better control of the offense than Tyson Bagent did against the Packers. As for the defense, if you stop Bijan Robinson, you have a great chance winning this game. I’m interested to see how the Bears’ defensive line will perform without Montez Sweat.
Tyler Ferengul (2-3): Bears 27, Falcons 24
I expect Caleb Williams to be active Sunday. Even if he isn't, the Bears will still find a way to win this game. Yes, the defense will have its hands full with Atlanta’s rushing attack of Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. and without Montez Sweat on the line, but Chicago will respond after a poor performance last week. Ben Johnson will have an offensive game plan ready to attack the Falcons’ defense. In a close affair, the Bears bounce back from an ugly game and move to 4-2 on the season.
Clint Clouse (3-2): Bears 45, Falcons 35
What a stinker of a game last Sunday. It was part of easily the worst two-day stretch of my sports fandom when you include the White Sox losing to the Guardians in Game 5 of the ALDS. Luckily, it sounds like Caleb Williams will be back Sunday. That couldn’t come at a better time as the Bears will be facing quality opponents over the next few weeks. Some say that defense travels, but the Bears defense hasn’t traveled yet in giving up 37 points and 31 points in its two road games this season. This Falcons offense is on a roll and features one of the best running backs in the NFL in Bijan Robinson. I’m banking on Williams playing Sunday because that’s the best chance for the Bears to walk out of Atlanta with a win. There will be points scored, so I’d bet the over Sunday.
Grant Lieder (3-2): Bears 27, Falcons 20
I don’t have a magic wand from last week, but I was the only one to make a correct prediction. This time, I’m going with the Bears. Michael Penix is coming off an injury for the Falcons, and Caleb Williams is pointing in the right direction. Give me Da Bears.
Jakob Stutz (2-3): Bears 34, Falcons 26
Everyone needs to take a deep breath. Ben Johnson and the Bears have responded to rough losses in the past, and this will be no different. Assuming Caleb Williams is back, the offense will be more balanced. If the Bears control time of possession, I think the defense will be good enough to secure a win in Atlanta.
David Dykstra (2-3): Falcons 31, Bears 27
A shorthanded, injured Bears defense can’t keep Bijan Robinson and the Falcons from outscoring the Chicago offense.
