For several different reasons, Sunday's bout between Steelers And Bears will be one to watch.
Firstly, this is a match between the teams that took first place. Chicago (7-3) currently leads Packers And Lions V NFC North Division table. Pittsburgh (6-4) holds a one-game lead over a surging team in the AFC North. Crows.
There's still a ghost Aaron Rodgers and whether he will meet his longtime formal rival or not. Coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Friday that Rodgers doubtful for this game after he suffered a fractured left wrist during Pittsburgh's Week 11 win over the team Bengals. Rodgers did not practice Wednesday but was a limited participant Thursday and Friday.
“We’ll see where the weekend takes us,” Tomlin said.
Aaron Rodgers won't be the first high-profile Steelers quarterback to play with a broken left wrist.
Brian DeArdo
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Steelers vs Bears: Need to Know
- Rodgers definitely owns the Bears. The former Packers quarterback hopes to torment longtime rival Green Bay once again on Sunday. Including the playoffs, Rodgers has a 25-5 lifetime record against the Bears.
- No love in the Windy City. While Rodgers was successful in Chicago, the same cannot be said for the Steelers. Pittsburgh is 1-12 in games played in the Windy City, with its lone win coming during the 1995 season. The Steelers won 37–34 in overtime en route to their first AFC title since 1979.
- Moving down. Under the guidance of a new coach Ben JonsonChicago is on the verge of its first winning season since 2018. After an 0-2 start, the Bears have won seven of their last eight games. The biggest reason for the Bears' success was their ability to control the ball and make passes. Chicago has committed just three turnovers since Week 3 and committed 21 turnovers in that span, good for a turnover rate of +18.
- Captain Comeback. The Bears' success was also a byproduct of some late-game heroics from the sophomore quarterback. Caleb Williamswhose five winning games this season are a franchise record.
- Rudolph is ready. Pittsburgh's offense will be led by Mason Rudolph if Rodgers can't play. Rudolph, 30, has an 8-5-1 record as the Steelers' starting quarterback. He has won his last three starts for Pittsburgh, each coming at the end of the 2023 season. The only quarterback to start a playoff game for Pittsburgh since then. Ben RoethlisbergerRudolph went 12 of 16 for 127 yards and a touchdown in the second half of the Steelers' win over Cincinnati.
- Chicago Ballhawks. Whoever Pittsburgh's QB is will have his work cut out for him against the Bears' opportunistic pass defense. There have been as many as 15 interceptions in Chicago this year. Kevin Byard (5), Tremaine Edmunds (4) and Nachshon Wright (4) they account for 13 such elections.
- Wounded bears: Chicago will be without each of its starting linebackers due to injury on Sunday. Edmunds is being treated for a groin injury. TJ Edwards has arm/hamstring injuries, and Noah Sewell treating an elbow injury.
- TJ approaches JJ. TJ Watt just one bag away from a passing older brother JJ Watt. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt has 114.5 sacks in his 12-year career.
Steelers vs. Bears Prediction, Picks
While they haven't lived up to expectations yet, the Steelers defense has nonetheless had its moments this season. They had five turnovers in their second week of victory over Patriotssix wins in week nine over Colts and scored two defensive scores in last week's win over the Bengals.
If the Steelers defense can produce a similar performance on Sunday, it should be enough to help Pittsburgh win its second game in Chicago, regardless of Rodgers' status. Pick: Steelers -2.5; Less than 44.5
