The Chicago Bears penultimate game of the season against the Atlanta Falcons is shaping up to be in the teams favor.
The Bears are coming into this matchup on a heater after winning three of their last four. Their only loss came against the Cleveland Browns on a failed Hail Mary pass that could've been the play of the season for the Bears.
While the Falcons are fighting for the NFC South division with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they haven't looked like a division winner in recent weeks. They've lost two of their last four games and dropped a game to the two-win Carolina Panthers. They're also 2-4 on the road this season and will try to improve on that record in Soldier Field in December.
Expect this game to be filled with tons of smashmouth football. Both of these teams love running the ball and are in the top 10 in yards gained by a team this season, per StatMuse. After Week 16, the Bears are second in rushing yards by a team, and the Falcons are in eighth place.
Ever since Bears head coach Matt Eberflus took over, the Bears have consistently ranked as one of the best rushing teams in the league. They rushed for a league-leading 3,014 yards last season and are looking at another top-five finish in 2023.
If the Bears win, they don't have to worry about it affecting the draft because they own the rights to the Panthers' pick, which is projected to be the first overall pick, per Tankathon.
Let's take a look at three bold predictions for the Bears-Falcons game.