Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs: Week 3 Prediction

The Chicago Bears went 3-14 last season. Now they're in real danger of starting 0-3 this season. Both of their games in 2023 were double-digit losses. Green Bay thumped them 38-20. Tampa Bay won 27-17, and the game was never really that close. This team is desperate for some kind of spark. Unfortunately, they're unlikely to find it against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus have tried to project calm amidst the turmoil. That isn't proving easy. Most fans have already written the season off. They know what's coming on Sunday. Are they right?

The Chicago Bears face another must-win in Kansas City.

Backstory:

It doesn't get much uglier than this. The Bears already had enough to deal with after starting the season 0-2. Now, multiple controversies get thrown on top of the bonfire. Justin Fields appeared to call out his coaching staff for making him too "robotic" as a player. Alan Williams resigned as defensive coordinator under mysterious circumstances. Distractions like this are hard enough to deal with during an off-season, much less in the middle of a game week. Those players must navigate it all while understanding they're about to face the defending Super Bowl champs in their building.

Injuries:

Braxton Jones (neck) - The left side of the offensive line was already in a tough spot, with Teven Jenkins hitting IR before the season began. Now, their left tackle is also out for at least the next month. Reports are Jones had battled the issue for some time, but it appears the pain finally became too much. Larry Borom will have to step in against a talented Chiefs defensive front in one of the loudest stadiums in the league. Thankfully, he has experience, but Jones played pretty well through the first two games.

Nick Bolton (ankle) - Kansas City's star linebacker is a huge part of both their steady run defense and their exotic blitz packages. If he's out for the game, that is a notable loss for them as it opens up chances to maybe run the ball well both with Fields and the backs. It might also be a way to get the tight ends more involved. Not that this team has done the best job of exposing such matchups. Still, Bolton being out would be a potential benefit.

Key matchups:

Chris Jones vs. Ja'Tyre Carter - Interior pressure has been the biggest issue for the Chicago Bears offensive line through the first two weeks. So it's not great that Jones, arguably the second-best interior rusher in the league, awaits them. Carter got the start in relief of the absent Nate Davis last weekend in Tampa Bay. The former 7th round pick played surprisingly well. He will need to bring his absolute best if he's going to survive this one. Otherwise, it will be a long afternoon for Fields.

Tremaine Edmunds vs. Travis Kelce - Kansas City has significant question marks at wide receiver this year. Thankfully, they still have Kelce, and he appears to be healthy after a knee issue slowed him the first two weeks. They will get him plenty of looks in this game. Chicago signed Edmunds to help their coverage over the middle, thanks to his size and range. He has a long history with Kelce, so the two are sure to cross paths multiple times. The Bears linebacker has to make the star tight end work for it.

X-factors:

Yannick Ngakoue - Nothing the Bears defense does in this game will matter if they can't get to Patrick Mahomes. If he's allowed to sit calmly in the pocket, he'll slice and dice them at will. They must at least make him uncomfortable. Ngakoue is their best pass rusher and has had the most consistent presence in that department through two weeks. He missed multiple sack opportunities on Baker Mayfield last week. That can't happen this time around.

Justin Watson - While the wide receivers haven't stood out like usual, Watson has been by far their most explosive weapon with 107 yards on five catches. Mahomes loves to take the deep shot, and it appears the 27-year-old has become his favorite option in that department. Chicago's secondary is banged up with Eddie Jackson likely out for the game. They must have the safeties monitor Watson as often as possible. Mahomes will look for him down the field more than once.

Prediction: Chiefs win 40-14

Everything about this game looks bad for the Bears. Start with the distractions. They have zero momentum and are now swamped by multiple controversies. It's on the road in a raucous venue with a quarterback that struggles with pressure. Last but not least, the Chiefs have the best QB on the planet and a decisive advantage in the trenches on both sides of the ball. It feels like it would be a miracle if the Bears kept this within 10 points. History says not to bet on it.