The Chicago Bears (4-6) are coming off a deflating 17-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams (6-4), a loss that essentially ended any playoff hopes in a stacked NFC.
The Bears will be looking to get back on track against the struggling New York Giants (2-8), who have lost six straight games.
While this is definitely a game that the Bears should win, that hasn’t been the case this season. Chicago will need to reduce the missed opportunities and self-inflicted mistakes that doomed them against the Rams if they’re going to beat the Giants.
Here are four bold predictions for the Bears’ Week 12 matchup:
1. Bears defense holds Saquon Barkley under 70 yards rushing
Despite losing defensive tackle Akiem Hicks to injured reserve, the Bears run defense has remained solid this season. But they’ll face a familiar challenge this week when they go up against New York Giants running back Saturn Barkley.
Last season, Barkley rushed for 125 yards on a Bears defense that included Hicks. But it won’t be a cakewalk for Chicago’s defense, who nearly gave up 100 yards on the ground to Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley last week.
After starting the season with back-to-back 100-yard performances, Barkley hasn’t been able to surpass 72 yards since returning from an ankle injury. And the trend will continue as the Bears will hold him to under 70 yards on Sunday.