The Chicago Bears play host to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday to kick off the 2024 season. Each team has high expectations. Each has uncertainty at quarterback. This game offers the first opportunity to prove something. Starting a season off with a win is so important to success down the stretch. Chicago has just two opening day wins in over a decade. Can they overcome that track record this time? Here is a breakdown of where the teams stand and how the game likely goes.
The Chicago Bears face an interesting challenge with the Titans.
Backstory:
Both teams finished 2023 with the same record (7-10), but both approached the off-season in far different ways. Tennessee fired their entire coaching staff, spent wildly in free agency, and tailored their new hires around maximizing young quarterback Will Levis. Chicago chose stability, keeping Matt Eberflus in charge, limited spending in free agency, and instead made calculated moves on the trade market (Keenan Allen). They coupled this with the arrival of #1 overall pick Caleb Williams at quarterback to finally push them over the hump. Stability vs. widespread overall.
Injuries:
DT Zacch Pickens (groin) - The Bears have questions about their interior defensive line depth. They'd hoped Pickens and Gervon Dexter could take a step forward to bolster such a critical area. Now it's uncertain where the former 3rd round pick stands ahead of the opener. That could force Chris Williams, who just recently arrived via trade, to play considerable snaps despite limited knowledge of the system.
S Jamal Adams (hip) - No part of the roster was overhauled more this summer by the Titans than the secondary. Former Pro Bowl safety Adams was one of the key additions alongside Quandre Diggs, L'Jarius Sneed, and Chidobe Awuzie. The problem is Adams hasn't been able to stay healthy since getting traded to Seattle a few years ago. He missed the first day of practice this week with a hip issue, which isn't a good omen for Sunday.
Key matchups:
WR D.J. Moore vs. CB L'Jarius Sneed - Tennessee has said they fully aim to play press coverage a lot this year. That is why they acquired Sneed via trade from Kansas City. If that is the case, it falls on the Chicago Bears receivers to win those matchups. Moore is one of the best in the NFL at beating press coverage, but he only had one catch for three yards when facing Sneed last year. This time must be different.
DT Gervon Dexter vs. RG Dillon Radunz - One of Chicago's biggest gambles this year was not investing much in their interior pass rush. They believe Dexter, a former 2nd round pick, can make a big leap this season. His first test comes on Sunday. Radunz wasn't that good last season, allowing five sacks and 36 pressures. This is a matchup Dexter has to take advantage of if he's as good as they think he can be.
X-factors:
WR Calvin Ridley - Tennessee paid a lot of money to pry the 29-year-old away from Jacksonville. His explosiveness and route-running skills seem like a perfect fit for big-armed quarterback Will Levis. There is no question the Titans will try to attack down the field with him as the primary target. Keep in mind the Jaguars were 3-1 when Ridley cracked 100 yards last season. Containing him is paramount.
C Coleman Shelton - Center has been a weak spot for the Bears over the past few years. Shelton is a solid veteran they picked up from Los Angeles. That experience will come in handy against a tough Titans defensive front. Not only that, but the belief is Tennessee will blitz a lot in this game, hoping to rattle rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. It rests on Shelton's shoulders to identify where and when the pressure is coming.
Prediction: Bears win 21-17
This feels like a game that won't win awards for style. Chicago has a rookie quarterback starting his first game. Tennessee has a totally new coaching staff and overhauled roster. Neither team has a clear identity yet. One can expect mistakes from both sides. The Bears are at home, though. Five of their seven wins last season were at Soldier Field. The defense should be able to frustrate Levis. If Williams can simply get the ball to his playmakers, a win shouldn't be overly difficult.
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