The 7-3 Chicago Bears, who are playing like one of the hottest teams in the NFL at the moment, are hoping to extend their winning streak to four games with a matchup at home against the streaky 6-4 Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bears are coming off a last-second win on the road against the Minnesota Vikings that moved them into first place in the NFC North. On the other side, the Steelers manhandled the Cincinnati Bengals at home, 34-12.

The Bears almost lost to the Vikings last weekend after kicker Cairo Santos missed a 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of that game. However, he redeemed himself by connecting on a 48-yard field goal as time expired for a 19-17 win.

“That’s who he is. He's a high percentage field goal kicker anyway, so I've got a lot of confidence in him,” said Chicago head coach Ben Johnson during the Week 11 postgame press conference. “He's proven that over the course of the season. And really, he's been doing this for a long time. He doesn't let one miss phase him. We know it's a high likelihood he'll make the next one. He really kind of embodies what we are as a team: very resilient.”

Though he's injured, the Bears are still preparing for a familiar foe in Aaron Rodgers. He might be dealing with a slight wrist fracture in his non-throwing hand, but that doesn't make Rodgers any less dangerous, explained Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

“When you play Aaron Rodgers, he's a hell of a quarterback [and] a veteran player. He's seen it all. It's hard to fool him,” Allen said. “You have to be able to affect him in the pocket.”

Thankfully for Chicago, Dennis Allen will have his guys ready to go regardless of who the Steelers' starting quarterback is on Sunday.

“Obviously, there's a little uncertainty in terms of what (Rodgers’) availability is going to be,” Dennis Allen explained. “So, you're studying, in particular, the scheme, and then you're preparing for the scheme. Yet, you understand how each quarterback likes to operate. There's plenty of tape on Mason Rudolph and, obviously, plenty of tape on Aaron, too. We spent a lot of time on it. As a defensive coordinator, your job is to work with whatever you have out there.”

Whether his number is called or not, backup quarterback Mason Rudolph has been in this position before. He has played in 32 games since being drafted in 2018 and has a record of 9-8-1 as a starter.

“I think I got a lot of different experiences to draw from, whether you find out the day before the game, or you're thrown into the game, first quarter, second half, or you get the whole week of reps,” Rudolph told reporters. “You definitely draw from those experiences.”

One of the most important matchups in this game will take place in the trenches. The Steelers' defense is tied for third in sacks (33), while Chicago has allowed the fifth-fewest quarterback takedowns this season (16).

“They’ve got some werewolves on the outside,” Ben Johnson joked. “Between 56 (Alex Highsmith) and 90 (T.J. Watt), it's some of the best first steps I think you'll see in this league. When you have both sides that you're concerned about, that's where you’ve got to be pretty creative as a play designer to make sure that they don't affect the game in a negative fashion.”

The Bears invested a lot of money and draft capital in their offensive line, but the elusiveness of Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams has also contributed to the team's improved sack numbers.

“His escapability is second to none,” Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said of Caleb Williams. "I think he does a great job of really moving around the pocket, buying extra time. A couple times, especially on the edge, he's able to turn his shoulders when guys aren't getting to their upfield shoulder. He’s spinning out. There's kill shots that guys have had, but he's really just been a magician getting out of it. You can't just take for granted that you have a free rush, and they're leaving you open. He's going to make you pay.”

Prediction for Pittsburgh Steelers @ Chicago Bears (-2.5)

Aaron Rodgers' availability in this game will be the difference between a Steelers win and a Steelers loss. Considering how familiar Rodgers is with the Bears (26-5 all-time), it seems highly likely that Pittsburgh will find a way to win if he can go on Sunday. Assuming Rodgers plays, then the Steelers steal a victory on the road. However, if Mason Rudolph gets the start, then Pittsburgh will undoubtedly lose. Rodgers will not miss the chance to beat the team he has clowned for so many years, so I assume he starts and the Steelers win.

Prediction: Steelers 24 - 20 Bears

How to watch Pittsburgh Steelers @ Chicago Bears (-2.5)

Steelers @ Bears starts at 1:00 p.m. EDT at Soldier Field. You can watch it on CBS or stream it via the Paramount+ app or YouTube TV.

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