Todd Monken makes his debut as the Cleveland Browns' head coach when he leads his team onto Soldier Field in Chicago against the Chicago Bears on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET (NFL Network).
With Monken planning to play his starters, including QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland is a 3.5-point favorite. But my Browns vs. Bears predictions and NFL picks expect Tyson Bagent to keep Chicago in it during a rainy day in the Windy City.
Browns vs Bears predictions
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Who will win Browns vs Bears: Bears +3.5
Although the Cleveland Browns are playing their starters against the Chicago Bears, Monken has implied that it may not be for more than a series. So while the Bears won't be playing any key starters, Cleveland doesn't have a clear advantage by giving its top veterans less than a quarter of work.
And at this point, Deshaun Watson isn't a QB worth believing in, even in the preseason. Monken said the former Pro Bowler will play the first half, but this will be his first action since 2024, when he tore and re-ruptured his Achilles. And he's been unplayable in Cleveland, with nearly as many turnover-worthy plays (18) as TD passes (19).
Meanwhile, the Bears' backup, Tyson Bagent, has been a preseason star in Chicago. The Bears are 6-0-1 over his last seven preseason games, and he's thrown for 718 yards with eight total touchdowns.
The Bears boast an interesting mix of talent around Bagent, too, including Scotty Miller, Zavion Thomas, and Roschon Johnson. That should help him put pressure on the Browns' second- and third-string defense that includes plenty of undrafted rookies.
Browns vs Bears Over/Under pick: Over 40.5
Ben Johnson didn't mess around on offense last preseason, with the Bears going 2-0-1 in his first preseason as head coach and averaging 30.3 points per game. And that was with Bagent playing the bulk of the QB snaps.
On their home field with playmakers around Bagent, Chicago should be able to put up points on a Browns team that could have as many as four undrafted rookies in the secondary during the second half.
But the Browns have some real offensive talent to flex, especially at wide receiver. Rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston might play significant first-half snaps with Watson at QB, and those two are capable of exploiting a banged-up Bears secondary.
Monken also has interesting depth at QB and receiver for the second half of the game, too. Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel both have starting experience, and rookie QB Taylen Green is dynamic with 4.36 speed.
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Browns vs Bears weather
The weather could play a major role in the matchup, with a 40% chance of precipitation at kickoff and potential thunderstorms around halftime. Soldier Field is a natural-grass field, and damp conditions could impact footing, especially for defenders.
How to watch Browns vs Bears
| Location | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Saturday, Aug. 15 2026 |
| Kickoff | 1 p.m. ET |
| TV | NFL Network |
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