Frigid weather sets stage for Bears’ run-heavy game plan vs. Browns

The Chicago Bears (9-4) will welcome the Cleveland Browns (3-10) to Soldier Field in Week 15 in a game that will test everyone’s tolerance for the cold.

Like, the really, really cold.

It’s going to be so cold that the Bears issued important safety and weather updates for fans ahead of Sunday’s game.

The high will be 11 degrees, and with wind gusts up to 22 mph, it’ll feel like 1 degree.

One degree!

As a result, don’t expect a high-flying passing duel between Caleb Williams and Shedeur Sanders. Instead, the Chicago Bears will lean on what’s become their identity in 2025: the running game.

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“I feel like that’s our personality as a team,” D’Andre Swift said this week. “Physically tough.”

The Browns won’t be pushovers on defense, however, even if Cleveland just allowed Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard to go wild for 161 rushing yards in Week 14.

“They got great players all around, especially 95 (Myles Garrett),” Swift said. “He’s been doing it at a high level for a long time. They’ve got a great group, but not even just the front. The back end has been playing real good–linebackers, their rookie over there (LB Carson Schwesinger) is playing a high level of ball.”

The Bears have run the ball as well as any team in the NFL this season. In fact, they rank second in the league in rushing yards per game (152.6).

Ben Johnson’s play calling, combined with improvements along the offensive line and breakout seasons by Swift and rookie Kyle Monanga, has led to the running game’s success. Monangai, in particular, has been a real find. The seventh-round pick has 135 carries for 648 yards and five touchdowns entering Week 14 and has emerged as arguably the top rookie runner in the NFL.

Expect a heavy dose of the Bears’ bruise brothers on Sunday.

“We have to go back to focusing on what makes us, us,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said. “What we want to show up in the run game.”