Rookies to provide Bears key to victory over Giants in Week 10
Just as it was in 2024, the NFC North is far and away the NFL's toughest division. It's the only division in which every team has a .500 or better winning percentage. The Chicago Bears currently sit at 5-3, which lands them in third place; however, a golden opportunity in Week 10 affords them the chance to take the lead in the division race, if only temporarily.
The Bears welcome the 2-7 New York Giants to Soldier Field on Sunday, and even though the Bears are heavily favored, this won't be a cakewalk. Giants pass rusher Brian Burns leads the league in sacks and is
It won't be an easy game, but the Bears still ought to win this one, especially if they hit on these keys.
1. Force three turnovers, including two interceptions
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has been sensational for the Giants, posting 15 total touchdowns in his first six starts. Even with Malik Nabers on season-ending IR, Dart already has the talent to carve up Chicago's injury-depleted secondary. This defense can't allow that to happen.
NFL experts predict a big day for an opportunistic Bears' defense, with Kevin Byard III and Tremaine Edmunds adding to their league-leading interception totals. The Bears have won every game this year in which they registered multiple takeaways, and that's what they must do on Sunday to secure a win.
2. Stop Brian Burns by any means necessary
Burns has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks all season, and while I trust right tackle Darnell Wright to handle him in 1-on-1 matchups, rookie left tackle Theo Benedet will almost certainly struggle. He's going to need help from Cole Kmet or Colston Loveland when Burns is on his side, or with a running back to chip in the backfield.
Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams must also account for this threat to the passing game. Johnson should call some quick-hitting plays early to keep the Giants' pass rush honest, and Williams needs to make sure he's getting the ball out on time and not trying to do too much in the backfield; Burns will make him pay for that.
3. Rookies must step up
As aforementioned, Benedet is likely to have a bad day at the office, but if he can have a breakout game, it will free up another pass catcher for the offense. Likewise, rookie pass catchers Loveland and Luther Burden III need to live up to the standard of top draft picks on Sunday, especially with Rome Odunze currently in a slump.
D'Andre Swift is active after missing Week 9, but the Bears' plan on how to use Swift and Kyle Monangai in Week 10 will likely see Monangai once again in the starting role. Ben Johnson confirmed on Friday that he believes "in a guy having the hot hand", and a hand doesn't get much hotter than Monangai's astonishing 176-yard performance in Week 9.
Final Prediction: Bears win 34-27
While it may not be the kind of heartstopper that we saw in Week 9, I expect this game against the Giants to be another nail-biter. Even if the Bears' defense takes the ball away two or three times, they've given us no reason to trust them after giving up 72 points in their last two games. The Giants will likely move the ball at will and dominate in the red zone.
This means it all comes down to the offense, which will need big contributions from its rookies. If Benedet can hold his own and keep Williams upright, he should be able to find Loveland and Burden early and often, leading to big plays and splashy touchdowns. Meanwhile, I expect Monangai to once again be a wrecking ball, keeping the Bears in second-and-short situations, which opens up the entire offense.
A late touchdown from Jaxson Dart pulls the Giants within one score, and they'll trot out the onside kick team, but this time the Bears will recover and kneel it out for the win.
Spencer Rattler Breaks Silence: “NFL Doesn’t Care About Your Pain — You Have to Play Anyway”
In an emotional revelation that’s shaking the NFL to its core,
Rattler, who briefly played alongside Kneeland during his time with the New Orleans Saints, called the loss of his former teammate “devastating” and a stark reminder of the unspoken pressure NFL players face. But it wasn’t just about the grief — it was about the expectation to perform no matter what:
"Everyone thinks the NFL is just about football. But the truth is, they don’t care what you're feeling. They just expect you to show up and play. We’re told to shut off our emotions, but that’s not realistic. I feel like we’re not allowed to grieve the loss of a brother because we have to get ready for a game. That’s the cold reality of this league."
A Wake-Up Call to Fans: "We're Not Machines"
Rattler’s shocking admission sheds light on the emotional toll that NFL players endure, often sacrificing their own mental well-being for the sake of the game. As the
"We’ve got to put our feelings aside for the fans, for our coaches, and for our teammates. But losing someone like Marshawn—it’s like losing a brother. It’s not just a game. People don’t understand how much time we spend with each other, and now I have to focus on beating the Packers while mourning my friend. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do."
A Brotherhood in Crisis?
As the NFL grapples with the tragic loss of Kneeland, Rattler’s powerful words are raising serious questions about the emotional cost of playing professional football.
Is the NFL a family, or is it a brutal machine that demands players sacrifice everything — including their emotions — for the game? The death of Kneeland is only the latest in a long line of heart-wrenching moments that show just how much players endure off the field.
