By: Jack Gold
The Matchup
The Bears come into the 2024 season as a national darling after winning five of their last seven games last season and adding several big names this offseason. The biggest of those names is rookie number-one overall pick Caleb Williams. After winning the Heisman trophy at USC, Williams’ play style drew comparisons to Patrick Mahomes. While Mahomes-level play is an impossibly high expectation, Williams has been viewed as a can’t-miss prospect and the presumed savior of the Chicago Bears.
He will have significant help on the outside with star receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen and rookie top-10 pick Rome Odunze. On the offensive line, Darnell Wright and Tevin Jenkins headline what was a league-average group last season. Free-agent acquisition D’Andre Swift comes off a big year with the Eagles and will be the lead running back in what looks to be a committee with Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson.
For the Titans, second-year quarterback Will Levis is viewed as far less of a sure thing than Williams. Still, the Titans front office has gone all-in on determining whether or not he can be a franchise guy with the investments they’ve made in the offensive line and skill positions. Key additions include receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd and offensive linemen JC Latham and Lloyd Cushenberry.
Defensively, the Bears are a group with high expectations led by stars Jaylon Johnson and Montez Sweat. Johnson is a true number-one corner that the Titans must get creative with to limit his impact. The fifth-year DB signed a four-year $76 million contract this offseason after a season in which he had four interceptions en route to being PFF’s highest-rated cornerback in the NFL.
Sweat was a trade deadline acquisition last year in which GM Ryan Poles gave up a second-round pick. The former first-rounder immediately fit in and established himself as one of the best edge rushers in the NFL, finishing with 16 sacks and 64 total pressures on the year. Sweat signed a four-year contract extension for $98 million, further proving his status.
The Titans’ defense is just as exciting but may take time to mesh after replacing nearly the entire unit. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will have plenty to work with in his first year. The defensive back group is top-notch thanks to Ran Carthon’s work in trading for L’Jarius Sneed and signing Chidobe Awuzie, Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams to play alongside solid starters Amani Hooker and Roger McCreary. Jeffery Simmons and exciting rookie T’Vondre Sweat look to be dominant on the interior, making life easier for pass rushers Harold Landry and Arden Key and new linebackers Kenneth Murray and Ernest Jones in a blitz-heavy scheme.
The Bears opened as 4.5-point favorites at home in what looks to be an evenly-matched opener on paper between teams with a lot to prove in 2024.
Game Information
Tennessee Titans @ Chicago Bears
Time: September @ 12:00 PM CDT
Location: Soldier Field (Chicago, Ill)
TV Broadcast: Fox (WZTV Channel 17 Locally)
TV Broadcast Crew: Adam Amin, Mark Sanchez, Kristina Pink
Radio: Titans Radio (104-5 The Zone)
Radio Crew: Mike Keith, Dave McGinnis, Ramon Foster, Rhett Bryan, Amie Wells
Referee: Shawn Smith
Line: Bears -4.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 45.5 (-110/-110)
Things to Watch
Young QB Matchup
In their first season as week-one starters in the NFL, rookie Caleb Williams and second-year pro Will Levis have much to prove this season. Williams must live up to his generational hype for a historic franchise that’s itching for success. On the other hand, Levis has to show that his flashes in limited action last year weren’t just flashes and prove the Titans’ front office right for building around him. Both have unteachable traits in Williams’ off-schedule playmaking and Levis’ arm talent, but a ways to go before they are crowned as saviors of their franchises.
The Start of the Brian Callahan Era
On Sunday, Brian Callahan will officially start his tenure as the 20th head coach in franchise history. After a long career of being a respected assistant, Callahan will finally get his shot at leading a franchise to glory. Alongside him are several other first-timers: defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, offensive coordinator Nick Holz, and special teams coordinator Colt Anderson.
Bears WRs vs Titans DBs
DJ Moore/Keenan Allen/Rome Odunze and L’Jarius Sneed/Chidobe Awuzie/Roger McCreary are two of the best one through three combinations at their respective position groups in the NFL. How much the Titans’ secondary can limit Caleb Williams and the Bears’ weapons could determine the game’s outcome.
The New-Look Titans Offensive Line
Only one full-time starter from the 2023 Titans’ offensive line returns in 2024: left guard Peter Skoronski. It’s for good reason, as the group was statistically amongst the worst in the NFL last year. Now, the group looks better on paper – at least from the left side to the center spot.
The team drafted Alabama product JC Latham with their first-rounder to play left tackle and signed center Lloyd Cushenberry to a lucrative contract to steady those spots for years to come. The biggest question mark lies on the right side, where former second-rounder Dillion Radunz will get his first chance to start at guard, and Nicholas Petit-Frere will look to solidify himself at tackle in his third season.
The group will have their hands full with Montez Sweat and Co., but solid play in the preseason has led to plenty of optimism surrounding the group.
Titans Rookie Debuts
Several rookies will play key roles in week one for the Titans. First and second-rounders JC Latham and T’Vondre Sweat headline the group as hopeful cornerstone pieces on offense and defense, but other rookies Jarvis Brownlee, Jha’Quan Jackson and Jaylen Harrell will all see meaningful time on the field after impressive camps. James Williams and David Martin-Robinson may see time and will try to show their enticing potential with limited opportunities.
Kevin Byard vs His Former Team
A cornerstone of the past decade of Titans’ football, safety Kevin Byard was traded away to the Eagles in last year’s lost season and signed with the Bears this free agency. Sunday will mark his first time playing against the Titans.
Drafted 64th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Middle Tennessee State product played eight seasons with the team from 2016-23. In 120 games as a Titan, Byard registered 655 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and 27 interceptions, which ranks tied for fourth in team history. Byard also played in seven postseason games with the Titans, collecting 43 tackles and an interception.
DHop in the Record Books
Titans receiver Deandre Hopkins is in a position to move himself up in several historic NFL lists. He can extend his active streak to 163 consecutive games with a reception—every game he has played since he entered the NFL. He owns the third-longest such streak to begin a career in NFL history, behind only Marvin Harrison (190) and Keyshawn Johnson (167).
He can register his 43rd career 100-yard receiving game and only needs one reception to break a tie with Antonio Brown (928) for 21st place on the NFL’s all-time receptions list. One touchdown reception would make him the sixth NFL player since 1960 with at least 10 touchdown receptions in Week 1 games, joining Tim Brown (11), Irving Fryar (11), Rob Gronkowski (10), Randy Moss (10) and Andre Reed (10).
