Folks, strap in, because we’re headin’ to Arrowhead Stadium for a Friday night showdown that’s gonna bring the heat like a summer barbecue! It’s the Chicago Bears takin’ on the Kansas City Chiefs, August 22, 2025, kickin’ off at 7:20 p.m. CT on NFL Network. The Bears are rollin’ in with a 1-0-1 record after a tie against Miami and a dominant win over Buffalo, while the Chiefs are 0-2, lookin’ to shake off losses to Arizona and Seattle. This ain’t about the stars – most of ‘em are sittin’ pretty on the sideline – it’s about those roster hopefuls, the bubble guys, fightin’ tooth and nail for a spot on that 53-man squad. Boom! That’s the pulse of this preseason finale – pure hustle, big plays, and a few surprises that could ripple into Week 1. Let’s break it down like we’re callin’ it from the booth, with that Troy Aikman precision and John Madden passion.
Bears’ Side: Chicago’s Depth Showin’ Out
The Bears are comin’ off a strong preseason under new head coach Ben Johnson, flexin’ some serious depth. They played Miami to a 24-24 draw in Week 1, where rookie QB Caleb Williams looked polished, goin’ 6-for-10 for 107 yards and a touchdown. Last week, they steamrolled the Bills 38-0 at Soldier Field, with backup QB Tyson Bagent throwin’ for 205 yards and RB Ian Wheeler rippin’ off 80 yards and two scores. Williams and most starters are sittin’ this one out, so it’s Bagent, Brett Rypien, and maybe Austin Reed under center, battlin’ to lock in the backup job.
What’s got me fired up is the run game and defensive depth. RB Velus Jones, a wideout-turned-back, ran for 111 yards and a score against Buffalo, makin’ a case for a roster spot. At receiver, guys like Nsimba Webster and Tyler Scott are scrappin’ for the final slots – Scott had six catches for 99 yards last week. Defensively, the Bears have been lights-out, holdin’ opponents to 24 points total in two games, with Reddy Steward pickin’ off two passes and returnin’ one for a TD against the Chiefs last year. No major injuries, but LT Larry Borom’s questionable with an ankle issue, so Theo Benedet could see big snaps. Special teams is a hot spot too – DeAndre Carter’s muffed punt last year was a fluke, but he’s gotta prove he’s reliable. After that Bills blowout, Chicago’s got swagger, but they’re on the road against a Chiefs team hungry to avoid an 0-3 slide.
Chiefs’ Side: Kansas City’s Hunt for a Preseason Win
The Chiefs, meanwhile, are still searchin’ for that first preseason W under Andy Reid. They dropped a tight 20-17 game to Arizona in Week 1, then got outclassed 33-16 by Seattle last week. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones might see a series or two tonight – Reid’s hinted at givin’ starters a quick spin – but it’s mostly about backups like Carson Wentz, Gardner Minshew, and Chris Oladokun. Minshew threw a TD against Seattle, but the offense’s been stuck in neutral, averagin’ just 16.5 points per game.
The key battles are at running back and in the secondary. Rookie Carson Steele ran for 50 yards and a score against Chicago last year, includin’ a 31-yard tackle-breakin’ run, and he’s pushin’ to back up Isiah Pacheco. At receiver, Nikko Remigio’s a special teams dynamo fightin’ for a spot, while Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore need big plays to secure depth roles. Defensively, the Chiefs’ rookie class struggled against Seattle, with linemen gettin’ pushed around and DB Nohl Williams leavin’ with a concussion. No major injuries reported, but CB Jaylen Watson’s comin’ off a shoulder issue and needs to prove he’s ready. Special teams could swing it – Harrison Butker missed a 59-yarder last year, and a big return from Remigio might spark the home crowd. Kansas City’s desperate to get right at Arrowhead, where the fans bring that playoff energy even in August.
Key Matchups and Game-Changing Factors
Boom! This game’s gonna hinge on a few gritty battles. The Bears’ run game against the Chiefs’ front seven is huge – if Jones or Wheeler keep breakin’ loose, they’ll control the clock and keep Kansas City’s offense sidelined. On the flip side, the Chiefs’ pass rush versus Chicago’s backup O-line – without Borom, Bagent could be under pressure, and guys like Felix Anudike-Uzomah (questionable, hamstring) could feast. Turnovers are the X-factor; the Bears’ secondary is hungry, and if Minshew or Oladokun force throws, Steward might strike again.
Weather in Kansas City looks warm and humid, typical late-August stuff, which could lead to slick balls or tired legs in the fourth quarter. The Arrowhead crowd, even in preseason, is a force – that noise could rattle Chicago’s backups. With cutdown day loomin’, every snap’s a job interview, so expect high effort but maybe some sloppy penalties from overeager rookies. Special teams could steal the show – a blocked punt or long return might flip momentum in a game where depth rules. And don’t forget last year’s Bears-Chiefs preseason clash: Chicago won 34-21, with Steward’s pick-six and Bagent’s TD run settin’ the tone. That history might give the Bears a mental edge, but Reid’s crew is motivated to flip the script at home.
Final Prediction
Alright, straight from the gut: The Bears’ defensive depth and run game keep it tight, but the Chiefs’ home energy and slight edge in QB play tip the scales. I’m callin’ Kansas City to edge out a 23-20 win, but Chicago covers the spread in a nail-biter decided by a late Butker field goal.
3 Best Bets
- Chiefs Moneyline (-145): Kansas City’s 0-2 but playin’ at home with a chip on their shoulder. They’re the slight favorite to grab their first win.
- Under 38.5 Total Points (-110): Both offenses have been inconsistent, and preseason finales lean conservative with backups. Expect a defensive grind stayin’ low.
- Bears +3.5 (-112): Chicago’s defense and run game keep it close, coverin’ the spread even on the road against a motivated Chiefs squad.
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