NFL
After a much-needed bye week for the Baltimore Ravens last week, the Ravens return to the field in week 8 for a matchup with the Chicago Bears. This bye week for the Ravens couldn’t come at a better time, as the team is getting healthy coming out of the bye, and more importantly, with the return of star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.
This matchup in week 8 is a must-win for the Baltimore Ravens to salvage their 2025 season, which is off to a 1-5 start, their worst start to a season since 2015, when they finished 5-11. But this bye week in week 7 could be what they need to jump-start their season, make a run at the postseason, and have Super Bowl aspirations. In contrast, the Chicago Bears started the season 0-2 and have now won 4 consecutive games under new head coach Ben Johnson and 2nd-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Both teams are coming into this game knowing a lot is at stake in their postseason push. And whoever wins will have more aspirations for the postseason.
The Baltimore Ravens are coming into week 8 knowing that the team is getting healthier, and star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is coming back from a hamstring injury after missing the two previous games, could be the spark the Ravens need to turn their season around. The Ravens have been playing some of their worst football since 2015, when they finished the season with a 5-11 record. The 1-5 start has been on a couple of things, first, the defense ranks at the bottom of the barrel in every single defensive category, and they have been averaging giving up at least 35 points per game in every one of their five losses, except for their last game against the Rams where they only gave up 17 poins which is good but needs more of that. And, the offense has been struggling without Lamar Jackson in these last two games, scoring only 10 points against the Houston Texans and 3 points against the Los Angeles Rams. Still, the offense this week is likely going to change with Lamar Jackson coming back. And if he plays like the Lamar of old, then the NFL will need to watch out.
The Chicago Bears, on the one hand, have been playing some excellent football over the last four games after starting the season off 0-2 and now have won 4 consecutive games, thanks to the offensive talents of quarterback Caleb Williams and rookie head coach Ben Johnson. They also have a very underrated running back in D’Andre Swift, who, so far through 6 games, has over 400 yards running the ball, and a running back who can catch the ball as well, when he caught a passing touchdown in a win against the Washington Commanders 25-24. And now he and Caleb Williams look to continue their path to the playoffs as we head to November and December. And when you look at their schedule, it seems favorable not only to make the playoffs but also to win the NFC North and have a home playoff game in January at Soldier Field.
Looking at this game, it could be a matchup that could push the Chicago Bears into a playoff-contending team and the Baltimore Ravens as a team that could be looking at 2026 instead, or it could be the other way around. But it will all depend on Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Lamar Jackson’s playing status this Sunday against the Bears. And if Lamar Jackson plays, then the Ravens have a chance to get their season back on track after their 1-5 start. While Caleb Williams is having a great 2nd year with new head coach Ben Johnson, if he continues this promising start, this Bears team could make a run in the postseason. Overall, with the Ravens looking more and healthier after the bye week, this game will get the Baltimore Ravens’ season back on track.
