(670 The Score) The Bears (1-1) visit the Indianapolis Colts (0-2) on Sunday, with kickoff set for noon CT.
Our 670 The Score pregame show with Mike Mulligan, Olin Kreutz and Patrick Mannelly will start at 9 a.m. and run until kickoff. Our postgame show will begin around 4:45 p.m. after the conclusion of our Cubs broadcast on the airwaves. You can listen by clicking here or by downloading the Audacy app.
You can check out all of 670’s preview coverage of the Bears-Colts matchup by clicking here. Below are game predictions from our 670 hosts, producers and writers.
David Haugh (2-0): Bears 26, Colts 17
Expect the Bears to find their identity 150 miles south on I-65. The Colts struggle stopping the run, which is an invitation for the Bears to get well offensively. Take the pressure off Caleb Williams, hand the ball to any one of three running backs and run all over Indy. Meanwhile, the defense will do what the Bears defense does, and young quarterback Anthony Richardson will be in a giving mood.
Matt Spiegel (2-0): Bears 24, Colts 16
The Bears defense does its job, giving up just one touchdown and three field goals. The Bears' running game doesn’t get two-hundo, but 125 on the ground will do.
Chris Tannehill (2-0): Bears 20, Colts 13
Until the Bears figure out what their identity on offense is, I feel comfortable in viewing their defense as my North Star. They’ve been better than anyone could've imagined through two games. They’re going to have to carry this team Sunday, and I think they will.
Chris Emma (2-0): Bears 23, Colts 16
While the Bears are the underdog, this matchup favors them on both sides of the football. Chicago’s defense will dictate the game against Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor and Indianapolis’ offense, while Caleb Williams and D’Andre Swift will do enough to move the football efficiently.
Paul Pabst (2-0): Bears 27, Colts 13
A beatable Colts team is exactly what the Bears need to get on track. I think the Bears’ offensive line will be better – not necessarily because it did anything to improve but because it won’t be going against the Texans’ pass rush. DeForest Buckner is out for Indy, which is a godsend to Chicago. The Bears defensive backs are going rough up Anthony Richardson and pick him off at least twice.
Evan Thomas (1-1): Colts 24, Bears 21
The Colts are allowing 163 passing yards per game, while the Bears have struggled through the air. The Bears’ offensive line struggles and lack of production on that side of the ball doesn’t make this a great matchup for them.
Kevin Lapka (2-0): Bears 27, Colts 22
If there was ever a get-right game for this Bears offense, it's this week against the Colts, who have allowed an NFL-worst 237 rushing yards per game through two weeks and will be missing star defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. The Chicago ground game gets going and aids the passing game in a more enjoyable Bears win.
Alex Kuhn (2-0): Bears 17, Colts 16
The Bears will have another maddeningly frustrating offensive performance, but the defense will win this game. I expect more of a concerted effort by the Bears to get their running game going – but also a ton of inconsistency in that department. On the flip side, the Bears defense will be all over Anthony Richardson, who will take some hits. This will be a nailbiter.
Tyler Ferengul (2-0): Bears 17, Colts 9
It’s clear through two games that each of these teams hasn’t found its offensive identity with a young quarterback under center. That’s why I believe it’ll be another low-scoring game. The difference? The Bears know their defensive identity, unlike the Colts, who have struggled mightily in defending against the run. The Bears’ stingy defense gives Anthony Richardson fits all game long and keeps the Colts offense out of the end zone. Chicago forces multiple turnovers, including one that goes back for a touchdown, in a game that has the markings of being ugly. It could be a game in which we see Caleb Williams and the Bears offense start to find their rhythm, but I think it’s more likely they ride the heels of their star-studded defense to improve to 2-1.
Robbie Triano (2-0): Colts 24, Bears 20
Football is a simple game. You take a ball and cross a painted line for six points. And as of right now, the Bears are really bad at that simple task. The reason? Well, just like the game of football, that's also simple to figure out. The Bears offensive line has completely stunted this team from running, passing or protecting its rookie quarterback. Last time I checked, you need to do that to score points. Thankfully, the Bears play defense, which has carried this team. But until this Bears team learns to cross that damn goal line, I don’t trust them.
Tyler Buterbaugh (2-0): Bears 17, Colts 7
The Bears offense showed some progress in Week 2 but couldn’t get the running game going or give Caleb Williams enough time to throw. The Colts' defensive line isn’t nearly as tough as the Texans’, especially with DeForest Buckner sidelined by injury. That will give the Bears offense more time to get moving. Anthony Richardson didn’t look good against the Packers. The Bears defense is better and will give Richardson a tougher time.
Sean Sears (2-0): Bears 24, Colts 9
Caleb Williams should take a page out of Aaron Rodgers' book *ducks* and tell everyone to R-E-L-A-X. This should be the week the Bears offense has success running the ball. With a successful rushing attack, I expect Williams to take some deep shots and hopefully connect on a few. This does have the makings of a trap game for the Bears, but I like the matchup of their secondary against Anthony Richardson and the Colts’ passing attack. If Bears win the turnover battle, they’ll win this game. I expect that to happen as the Bears improve to 2-1.