Late play here with the Steelers getting a full field goal with Aaron Rodgers out and Mason Rudolph starting. There is a drop off between the two – though given Rodgers’ latest performance, perhaps an improvement week over week. Respectuflly, the Bears have been the soldiers of luck all season. That’s not an area in which the Steelers deal. They are a big, heavy, threatening football team that has some issues but should be able to move the ball on the ground and limit explosive plays. Rudolph went 3-1 a starter under Mike Tomlin in 2023, and he's experienced enough to help Pittsburgh keep this around a FG game. The cushion here is necessary if Chicago lucks into another walk-off.

I don't see Mason Rudolph as a downgrade from Aaron Rodgers at this point in their respective careers. The Bears have lived a charmed life so far and the schedule is about to get a lot more difficult for them going forward (hopefully starting this week). Add in a cluster injury situation at LB for Chicago and asking the Bears to win a game by more than a field goal feels like a tight spot. We'll take the dog and hope Mason has success against this Bears' stop unit

Chicago has a chance to create some distance between them and others in the NFC playoff race by getting a huge win at home vs a Steelers squad who will be playing with a banged up Aaron Rodgers. I would expect the Bears to be able to beat the blitz and pressure with their passing game, while their defense continues to make Aaron Rodgers, and his wrist, uncomfortable.

Like to think I am very professional in everything I do here, but this is absolutely a homer pick and I'll just admit it right out of the gate. This is the Bears' season in my mind. You have to scrape by here because you are gonna lose Black Friday in Philly and then probably the next week in Green Bay. So to get to 10 wins and most likely a playoff spot, this is a must. And, again, pardon my unprofessionalism but I despise Aaron Rodgers more than Danica Patrick, Shailene Woodley or his own family does. No way was I not fading him in his likely last trip to Soldier Field. If that chicken even plays (Favre would). Yeah, I'm still bitter :)

Whether Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph start for the Steelers, I like this game to go Under the total. The Bears entire starting linebacker corps is injured, so expect Pittsburgh to go run heavy. The Steelers secondary has improved greatly since Jalen Ramsey moved to safety. Chicago is 3-1 to the Under at home this season, and I think this one could be a war in the trenches.

FanDuel. Despite his fellow tight-end Cole Kmet seeing a full complement of snaps last week, Colston Loveland was on the field for 61% of pass plays. Olamide Zaccheus took a back seat, which benefited Luther Burden, but also Loveland, as the Bears ran even more two tight-end sets. The result was Loveland accruing 40 receiving yards on three catches (four targets). Overall, Loveland has cleared this line in each of his last four games. He gets a very plus matchup against the Steelers who allow both the sixth most targets and yards to the position. I’d bet this up to over 27.5.

The Bears are at home with momentum, coming off three straight wins. Caleb Williams had one of his worst games last week against the Vikings and they still pulled out the win. The defense kept Minnesota out of the end zone until the fourth quarter and they should have success again this week. They're either facing a 41-year old QB with a fractured wrist or Mason Rudolph. On defense, the Steelers have key players banged up -- CB Darius Slay is out, LB Alex Highsmith is doubtful and DT Cam Heyward is questionable. The Steelers are one of the least profitable teams on the road (1-3 ATS.) The Bears should win this and go 4-1 at home.

The Bears will be missing their top three linebackers in this matchup, and cluster injuries typically keep me from backing a team. But I can't get away from this play, as the Bears' quality home field advantage puts these teams as even in market ratings. I disagree. Ben Johnson has turned this into a top-10 offense, and I see the unit having success against a Steelers defense that will remain without Alex Highsmith and with a hobbled Cameron Heyward. Aaron Rodgers would also be playing through an injury if he starts, and while I'd like this pick a lot more if the Bears get at least one of their top two cornerbacks back from IR, I expect they'll be able to score enough to cover.

Will sore-wristed Aaron Rodgers play? It would surely help Pittsburgh's cause, given that he welcomes the sight of Bears uniforms and stands 23-5 SU against Chicago. Still, Mason Rudolph is a capable backup. More important, Chicago's entire starting LB crew is waylaid by injuries. The Bears have ridden a league-best 22 takeaways to their success. The stat tends to revert to the means, so do not count on interceptions thrown by A-Rod or M-Rud, whoever gets the call.

It's unclear if Aaron Rodgers will suit up Sunday. Either way, I like Pittsburgh catching a full field goal against surprising Chicago. The 7-3 Bears lead the NFL with a plus-16 turnover margin and have been outscored on the season. Mason Rudolph is an experienced backup who can limit mistakes, and the Steelers' running game should find success against a banged-up Chicago defense. Three starting linebackers for the Bears were unable to practice Thursday due to injury. Chicago gives up 6.2 yards per play, better than only Washington and Cincinnati.