Week 8 Preview
The Chicago Bears are aiming to keep their winning streak alive as they travel to face the Baltimore Ravens in a Week 8 showdown.
After starting the season 0-2, the Bears have bounced back impressively with four consecutive victories. Meanwhile, the Ravens are struggling through a tough stretch, dropping four straight games and managing only 13 total points over their last two outings. However, there's a glimmer of hope for Baltimore, as star quarterback Lamar Jackson could return to the lineup this week. (Still iffy) This is your week 8 preview.
When/Where
🗓️: Sunday, October 26
⏱️: Noon
📍: M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore, MD
🌡️Weather: 63 degrees Precipitation: Slight chance of rain showers Wind: 7 mph from the northeast.
💰The Odds
Bears +6.5 (-110)some books have dropped it to 6
Bears: +240 ML
Ravens -6.5 (-110) some books have dropped it to 6
Ravens: -310 ML
Total
49.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Ravens have a 63.2% chance to beat Bears on Sunday
The Bears have a 36.5% shot at winning the NFL Week 8 game
🐻Our Bears:
Ben Johnson’s ground game has found its rhythm with over 180+ rushing yards per game at 5.5 YPC in the last two contests and that matches up perfectly against a Ravens defense that’s bottom-five in every run metric (Rush EPA, SR, YPC allowed).
Baltimore’s lack of pass rush has also haunted them a bit. (30th in pressure rate) This just means Johnson can stay balanced and not have to rely on obvious passing downs. Losing Odafe Oweh their only consistent edge threat, really gutted what little juice they had on the pass rush.
Baltimore’s offense has been its own worst enemy.
The Ravens’ 16.1% turnover rate (31st) is brutal, especially if their running backs and receivers keep coughing it up. Lamar Jackson’s been relatively clean, but the rest of the offense hasn’t. Chicago’s defense has been opportunistic lately (leading the league in takeaways) they just need to finish drives off with points especially against Baltimore.
If the Bears can dictate tempo on the ground and keep Lamar off the field, they’ll shorten the game and force Baltimore into must-pass situations exactly where their offense has struggled.
It also helps that Chicago’s offensive identity under Johnson feels sustainable: physical, creative, and built to travel.
If the Bears get an early lead and stick with the run, this really could be the moment they shake off the “almost respectable” tag
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears are taking it away and locking teams down across the board. Over the last month the Bears rank 3rd in total yards allowed, 5th against the pass, and 12th against the run, while giving up just 19 points per game (8th in the NFL). Chicago’s defense has also produced 8 interceptions, 10 sacks, and has been dominant on third downs allowing conversions on just 29.7% (11 of 37). Simply put, after a slow start, Dennis Allen has this defense cooking as they head into an incredibly tough matchup against Baltimore.
The Ravens:
The desperate Ravens come off their bye week hoping to reset their season and get back on track. The good news for Baltimore: Lamar Jackson is expected to return at quarterback after missing the past two games. The bad news? Rust could be a factor, and this Chicago defense isn’t the easiest group to shake it off against.
Jackson hasn’t suited up since injuring his hamstring in Kansas City on Sept. 28. Lamar is expected to return from a hamstring injury after missing the Ravens’ last two games, a stretch during which Baltimore’s offense clearly struggled, managing just 10 points against the Texans and only a field goal versus the Rams.
Under Jackson, the Ravens have averaged 32.7 points per game across his four starts (131 total points), including two outings of 40+ points. If Jackson can find rhythm early, Baltimore has the firepower to stress any defense. Derrick Henry anchors the ground attack with 439 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and Zay Flowers continues to lead the receivers with 34 catches for 423 yards.
There’s no question Jackson is the engine that drives this Ravens offense. While injuries have piled up across the roster, Jackson remains the centerpiece. The Ravens are also expected to get some big returns on both sides of the ball this weekend.
The Bears just gave up 233 passing yards and two touchdowns to Spencer Rattler last week, a concerning sign with a dynamic dual-threat like Jackson potentially returning. He’ll be the obvious no 1 player to watch in this Sunday’s matchup.
On the defensive side, Roquan Smith and Chidobe Awuzie are expected to return for Baltimore, giving the Ravens a much-needed boost in leadership and coverage. We’ve already gone over how rough the numbers have been for this defense, but with those reinforcements, expect a more energized unit. Coming off the bye, Baltimore should come out fired up and looking to reassert itself on that side of the ball.
💪Keys to the upset:
Da Bears path is clear on how to pull the upset
1. Run the ball early and often. Make Baltimore’s struggling front defend 60 minutes of downhill football.
2. Control the clock. Limit Lamar’s possessions and force him into long, must-pass situations.
3. Protect the football. Baltimore thrives when it can flip field position — don’t give them that chance. At the same time, the Bears feed off creating turnovers, so when you take it away, finish the drive in the end zone, not with a field goal.
If the Bears can execute that formula, this game could mark a real turning point not just for their season, but for their identity. A win over Baltimore wouldn’t just be an upset. It would be a sign that the Bears are finally building something sustainable, physical, disciplined, and tough.
🔮The Prediction:
Lamar Jackson’s return completely changes the tone of this matchup. His mobility and command of the offense give Baltimore a clear edge, especially when paired with Derrick Henry’s power on the ground. If the Ravens can control time of possession and keep the Bears’ offense off the field, they’ll have the upper hand.
That said, Chicago comes in playing with confidence and momentum. The Bears’ defense has been outstanding, taking the ball away at an impressive rate, a key factor against a Ravens team that’s struggled with turnovers. Derrick Henry, as dominant as he’s been, has had some fumbling issues this season, (3 fumbles 2 lost) something Dennis Allen’s opportunistic defense will be watching closely.
If Lamar Jackson suits up, Baltimore deserves to be favored at home. The Ravens are desperate to save their season and make a late playoff push, while the Bears are trying to prove they can hang with the league’s elite. Expect a competitive, physical game that could swing on a late turnover or red-zone stand..
I’m not saying it’s impossible for the Bears to upset a Lamar Jackson led Ravens squad, far from it. But if the former league MVP is on the field, I expect him to put this Ravens team on his back and deliver a much-needed win.
With Lamar Jackson: Ravens 38, Bears 31
Without Lamar Jackson: Bears 31, Ravens 17
