The Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears will meet in Week 1 of the 2024 season in a contest that will be the official start of a new era for both teams.
For the Titans, they have a new head coach in Brian Callahan, who is taking over a roster that has seen drastic changes on both sides of the ball. But one thing that has not changed is the quarterback position, where second-year signal-caller Will Levis will look to cement himself as the long-term solution under center.
In Chicago, Bears 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams will make his NFL debut with no shortage of hype. Chicago has done a fantastic job surrounding Williams with weapons and the Bears figure to be quite the test for a new-look Titans defense that will also offer a good first challenge for the rookie quarterback.
"He's everything a No. 1 pick you would expect to be," Callahan said of Williams, according to Nick Suss of The Tennessean. "You have to treat him as such and treat him with that kind of respect. Obviously you have to earn that in this league. He's got to do it in regular-season games. I just hope it isn't in the first week."
Ahead of this matchup on Sunday afternoon, let's see who analysts from different media outlets are picking to win. If you're a Titans fan, the results shouldn't shock you.
Titans vs. Bears picks, predictions Week 1
Sporting News
Vinnie Iyer: Bears (27-24)
"The Titans are feeling some sleeper buzz for their major schematic and personnel newness to lift Will Levis and the defense, but that doesn't compare to the hype Caleb Williams is giving the Bears with a reload of offensive weapons and an upward defense under Matt Eberflus," Iyer wrote. "Williams spreads the ball around well in an auspicious veteran-like debut, but Levis makes it interesting late with his own upgraded firepower."
Bill Bender: Bears (24-21)
"Williams had ups and downs in the preseason, but his playmaking upside is high with an improved supporting cast that includes Keenan Allen and first-round pick Rome Odunze," Bender said. "The defense still needs improvement, however, and second-year quarterback Will Levis will make some plays in a new-look offense with first-year coach Brian Callahan. Tennessee could still pull the upset here, but the Bears get a late turnover to pull off an exciting Week 1 victory."
ESPN
Matt Bowen: Bears
Kimberley A. Martin: Bears
Jason Reid: Bears
Lindsey Thiry: Bears
Seth Wickersham: Titans
CBS Sports
Pete Prisco: Bears (23-21)
"The Bears have received a lot of the hype this summer with the addition of Caleb Williams," Prisco wrote. "But this will be his first start. That's tough for a rookie. The Titans will counter with Will Levis in the first game for new coach Brian Callahan. I think the Titans will keep this one close, but the Bears will win it late. "
John Breech: Bears (19-16)
"Starting in Week 10 last season, the Bears went 5-3 down the stretch, and a big reason for that is because they only surrendered 17.1 point per game, which was the fewest points by any defense in the NFL from Week 10 thru Week 18," said Breech.
"Look, I actually think the Titans are going to be better than most people expect this year, but per tradition, I have to take the Bears, because they were on 'Hard Knocks' team this year and HBO always somehow brainwashes me into thinking that the 'Hard Knocks' team is going to be good."
Number of analysts picking Bears: 8
Number of analysts picking Titans: 1
