NFL 2024/25: Chicago Bears – Tennessee Titans
When the 2024 NFL season really kicks off in Week 1 on Sunday, there will be a lot of euphoria in Chicago. This is mainly thanks to a new player: Caleb Williams, this year’s first overall pick.
After the failed experiment with Justin Fields, they now hope to have finally found the quarterback of the future and want to start an attack towards the playoffs with the rookie.
To kick off the new season, the Bears will host the Titans and the bookmakers have them as favorites. I come to the same conclusion with my Bears Titans tip and play the bet “Victory Chicago” with odds of 1.53 at Bwin
The hype from the Windy City has of course also reached the best bookmakers, all of whom also offer their customers a great sports betting bonus.
And the bookies have confidence in the newly-formed team from Chicago right from the start. The Bears Titans forecast for a home win has maximum odds of just 1.53.
On the other side, you can get odds of between 2.55 and 2.60 for a win for the visitors. The two teams have only met 13 times in their history. The Titans lead the record by a narrow 7-6 margin.
The last duel in Tennessee in 2020 went to the home side 24-17. The Bears have only won one of the past four meetings
Chicago finished fourth in the AFC North in the preseason with a record of 7-10. They also missed the playoffs by two wins.
At least the defense had improved massively in the second half of the season last year. Head coach Matt Eberflus, who only has a 10-24 record in two seasons in the Windy City, will therefore get another chance.
As Eberflus is one of the few head coaches with a defensive focus, he has also been given a new offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron, who recently got the best out of Geno Smith in Seattle.
And of course the head coach can look forward to his new quarterback. Caleb Williams impressed with his arm and mentality at USC. The 2023 Heisman winner can make big plays, but can also be a consistent ball distributor
In particular, the way the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft can anticipate open receivers and anticipate passing windows long before they’re there is reminiscent of the best of his craft.
The rookie now finds a great environment in Chicago. Tackle Darnell Wright (first-round pick in 2023) and WR D.J. Moore had already developed into important parts of the new offense.
This was further strengthened by WR Rome Odunze (draft), WR Keenan Allen (Chargers) and running back D’Andre Swift (Eagles). The only drawback could be a still uncertain offensive line.
And the defense was the best in the NFL last season, especially against the run. Now the play against the pass needs to improve as well
The Titans finished 4th in the AFC South in the preseason with a 6-11 record. This led to the dismissal of head coach Mike Vrabel. His successor was Brian Callahan
The new head coach was still offensive coordinator in Cincinnati in 2023, but did not call any plays. Now he can prove himself in Tennessee. Those responsible spent a lot of money, especially in free agency.
Only the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers were more generous here. In return, players such as WR Calvin Ridley, C Lloyd Cushenberry, HB Tony Pollard and CBs Chidobe Awuzie and L’Jarius Sneed were signed.
In doing so, Nashville is relying more on experienced players who can be an immediate help. The franchise also wants to find out if Will Levis really has what it takes to be an NFL starter.
The young quarterback has had a wild and mixed rookie season. The 2nd-round pick from 2023 wanted to force a lot of things and threw 22.4 percent of his passes deep (1st place).
After a great debut in Week 8 with four touchdowns, Levis only scored eight TDs in the following nine games. Now the QB is hoping to get more under-center play action under the new HC.
No. 1 wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is coming off a banged-up preseason, but should be able to play on Sunday. On defense, the secondary in particular has been reshuffled.
In addition, Dennard Wilson, who was most recently responsible for the defensive backs in Baltimore, is the new defensive coordinator
Conclusion and Prediction: Two teams that finished bottom of their respective divisions in 2023 and are now looking to improve will meet at Soldier Field. Caleb Williams also has to fight against the first-pick curse of the QBs.
Since 2002, quarterbacks drafted at No. 1 in the draft have gone 0-14-1 in their debuts as starters, but I have faith in the Bears’ new playmaker to break the curse.
It’s been a long time since a rookie QB has found such a strong environment as Williams has in the Windy City. With the new additions, Chicago has the edge over the Titans, especially on offense.
This will be a big challenge for Tennessee’s new secondary. And the Bears’ defense has been reliable in the second half of the season anyway.
My tip for the Bears Titans game is therefore: Victory Chicago
