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Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns: PFM Team Comparison

PFM rates the Chicago Bears higher than the Cleveland Browns overall, with a major advantage. The main reasons are the steadier quarterback room and the more dependable offense.

Current PFM Team Scores

Major edgeCHI

Chicago Bears

83.1PFM Team Score#13 NFL
CLE

Cleveland Browns

71.4PFM Team Score#31 NFL
Swap Teams Clear Comparison
PFM JUDGMENT

Why PFM Rates the Chicago Bears Higher

The Chicago Bears ask fewer questions at quarterback because Caleb Williams sets the floor of the offense. That stability matters when a game moves away from the opening script. Cleveland's strongest counterargument is Defense. The Cleveland Browns have the more dependable defense. It does not need the offense to answer every possession to keep control of a game.

Chicago also brings the more dependable offense. Chicago adds the clearer long-term football direction. That is enough to keep the Chicago Bears ahead.

TEAM DNA COMPARISON

Chicago vs. Cleveland Across the Core Pillars

The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.

CHIChicago Bears
CLECleveland Browns
Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns Team DNA comparisonPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale. QB Stability: Chicago Bears 84.0, Cleveland Browns 66.8, edge CHI +17.2; Offense: Chicago Bears 86.0, Cleveland Browns 70.3, edge CHI +15.7; Defense: Chicago Bears 80.2, Cleveland Browns 84.2, edge CLE +4.0; Coaching Direction: Chicago Bears 82.9, Cleveland Browns 73.0, edge CHI +9.9; Roster Depth: Chicago Bears 79.9, Cleveland Browns 76.3, edge CHI +3.6. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
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THE COUNTERARGUMENT

Cleveland Browns’ Best Argument

The Cleveland Browns own the stronger defense. More dependable stops give the offense better field position and keep one bad drive from controlling the day. That is why the overall gap is smaller than the score first suggests. Chicago still answers with the steadier quarterback room and the more dependable offense, which keeps the overall judgment in place.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

CHI83.1
Chicago Bears 83.1
CLE71.4
Cleveland Browns 71.4
Major Chicago Bears edge

Overall NFL Rank

CHI#13
Chicago Bears #13
CLE#31
Cleveland Browns #31
Chicago Bears ranks higher

QB Stability

CHI84.0
Chicago Bears 84.0
CLE66.8
Cleveland Browns 66.8
Major Chicago Bears edge

Roster Strength

CHI79.9
Chicago Bears 79.9
CLE76.3
Cleveland Browns 76.3
Clear Chicago Bears edge

Coaching Direction

CHI82.9
Chicago Bears 82.9
CLE73.0
Cleveland Browns 73.0
Clear Chicago Bears edge

Recent Performance

CHI78.7
Chicago Bears 78.7
CLE67.4
Cleveland Browns 67.4
Major Chicago Bears edge

Offense

CHI86.0
Chicago Bears 86.0
CLE70.3
Cleveland Browns 70.3
Major Chicago Bears edge

Defense

CHI80.2
Chicago Bears 80.2
CLE84.2
Cleveland Browns 84.2
Clear Cleveland Browns edge

Franchise Direction

CHI80.6
Chicago Bears 80.6
CLE69.4
Cleveland Browns 69.4
Major Chicago Bears edge

Explosiveness

CHI88.0
Chicago Bears 88.0
CLE63.8
Cleveland Browns 63.8
Major Chicago Bears edge

Conference Rank

CHI#7
Chicago Bears #7
CLE#15
Cleveland Browns #15
Chicago Bears ranks higher

Division Rank

CHI#3
Chicago Bears #3
CLE#4
Cleveland Browns #4
Chicago Bears ranks higher

Outlook

CHIPlayoff ContenderCLERebuilding or Major Concerns
Stronger outlook: Chicago Bears
TEAM CONSTRUCTION

How These Teams Are Built Differently

Chicago Bears

Strongest Rating
Explosiveness
Category Edge
Explosiveness
Biggest Matchup Concern
Defense

Chicago's clearest category edge is Explosiveness. The Chicago Bears have more ways to create a sudden scoring chance against the Cleveland Browns. That big-play ability can change field position before a defense settles in. The biggest problem in this matchup is Defense, where Cleveland owns the clearer advantage.

Cleveland Browns

Strongest Rating
Defense
Category Edge
Defense
Biggest Matchup Concern
Explosiveness

Cleveland's clearest category edge is Defense. The Browns can lean on their defense more than the Bears can. That creates a better floor when the offense stalls or field position turns against the team. The biggest problem in this matchup is Explosiveness, where Chicago owns the clearer advantage.

SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

Chicago Bears

Full schedule rank: #11

Toughest stretch: Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions

Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles

View Chicago Bears Road Ahead

Cleveland Browns

Full schedule rank: #32

Toughest stretch: Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals

Strongest opponents: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens

View Cleveland Browns Road Ahead

Chicago has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 11. The strongest opponents include Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles. Cleveland gains one meaningful schedule advantage, while Chicago still owns the stronger football advantages elsewhere.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

Ratings and Schedule Freshness

PFM ratings updated September 8, 2026. Schedule data updated June 29, 2026.

How to Read This Comparison

PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.

PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.

See the complete PFM NFL Team Rankings and methodology.

PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams