For the past three years, the Bears have been known as losers.
That is exactly how an organization will be labeled when it has 14 wins and 34 losses in three seasons.
To help change that notion, though, the Bears hired Matt Nagy to be their new head coach and since then have surrounded the team with young playmakers on offense and defense, which includes arguably the best defensive player in football: Khalil Mack.
But if the Bears are serious about changing their losing identity, they need to go into Lambeau Field and defeat the Packers on Sunday.
When John Fox was head coach, he had one victory against Green Bay and that came on Thanksgiving Day in 2015, which was the last time the Bears won in Lambeau Field.
In season openers the past four seasons, the Bears are winless. To ensure everything leading up to Week 1 of the 2018 season isn’t a false sense of hope like there has been previously and that this team signifies change to come, an opening game victory is paramount.
Realistically, if the Bears don’t win, the season wouldn’t be in jeopardy considering there will be 15 more meaningful games left to play. Still, the biggest drawback to losing the opening game would be a simple but familiar feeling that has filled Bears fans’ minds for far too long: doubt.
To see the Bears win the offseason and not have that translate immediately to the regular season will have fans question the legitimacy of a supposed team on the rise.
Additionally, Monday morning’s headline in the paper will strike a sense of déjà vu – Packers defeat Bears … Of course with a loss comes the inevitable smack talk from Packers fans until and possibly after December 16, when the two teams meet at Soldier Field.
More importantly, losing the first game of the season contradicts the Bears’ message of wanting to win now. If the Bears can’t compete within the division, there is no hope for the playoffs. The last win against a division opponent came in 2016 against the Vikings on Halloween.
However, a win starts the Nagy era off with confidence and thus reinforces the potential promise that has surrounded the team since 2018 began.
Also, a win increases the likelihood of a possible winning streak to start the season. After the matchup with the Packers, the Bears face the Seahawks at home, then go on the road to face the Cardinals and end their first quarter of the season against the Buccaneers at home before their Week 5 bye.
Each is a winnable game for the Bears, but everything starts with taking down Aaron Rodgers on his home turf. Rodgers is 15-4 against the Bears in his career and each year has destroyed Bears fans’ dreams.
Second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky will be facing Rodgers for the first time in his career and will have to play to the best of his ability for Chicago to have a chance to win. In order for this Bears team to truly distance themselves from past ones, that is exactly what must be done by Trubisky and every member on the roster for every game.
Chicago is turning to a new chapter in its historic franchise, and there is no better way to start the winning ways than against the Packers on Sunday night with everyone watching.
I really see Chicago being a much tougher out this year than in previous years. The fact that we had a top 10 defense while losing the time of possession battle weekly, speaks volumes to the talent of not only tbe players, but Fangio as well. Now add “Midway” Mack, Smith, another year of Fangio seasoning and an offense that is both unknown and will keep the defense rested and you have a recipe for the Dismantling of the GB Rodgers! Can’t wait for Sunday night….. in my heart, I say we blow them out, but My brain is leery of Rodgers, so I’ll say 27-17 Bears!
I love the prediction Micah. The Bears’ defense is going to be one of the top units in the NFL this year. And you hit on it, the offense is unknown but primed for success. If Mitch Trubisky elevates his play, which I believe he will, this offense has the potential to put a lot of points on the scoreboard.
Listen to Nagy and Fox and anyone in the know. It takes time to develop into a cohesive team capable of winning these kinds of games.Winning this on game is not imperative. They should be ready to beat thme later in the year in Soldier Field.
Victor I have to respectfully disagree with you on that. When Ryan Pace traded for Kahlil Mack, that signified the Bears are ready to compete now. If the Bears continue to have this mindset of not treating each game as a must win, then Chicago isn’t ready to compete for a playoff spot. Of course, the Bears will be better later in the year, but they can send a message to the NFC North and the rest of the league with a win in Green Bay.
The arrow is pointing up for my Bears. Adding Mack was big! Let be honest. Once they signed him, I knew that the management believed in Tru. He will have to grow up this season. 11-5 or 10-6 (9-7 at the least) Bears.
Sunday Night Game 23-14 Bears ????
The arrow is finally pointing in the right direction for the Bears, and excitement is everywhere in Chicago. Hopefully your prediction comes to fruition.
Can’t happen if the Bears play ball in the 4th Quarter. The Bears should be able to march down the field in the first quarter. They … heck We have no idea what plays they are going to run. When the Bears have this advantage, like they did vs Atlanta. We should win.
We should not get all worked up on this game. Sometimes it takes time for units to gel and get rhythm. This is not a basic offense, there are a lot of moving parts and pieces and it may take a little bit to be successful. Defense should be more ready than offense. The pass rush should be solid and I think our biggest weakness defensively last year was our plays that we gave up big chunks of yards in the screen and short yard passing game. Pressure and speed at the linebacker position will help with this. Rogers will get his big plays, he always does. The key to our success is how is Mitch is gonna react to negative plays and offense not 100% in sync. Will he be able to bring them together or will it get worse?
I’m so glad these teams are playing in Week 1. There’s no game film of this Bears offense for GB to break down (KC’s offense isn’t the same) so I really like our chances. It will probably be close. No way Bears lose in a blowout. Yet by Dec 16, the Bears offense will be humming and I expect a beat down of GB by then.
Vikings fan here….. I think if the bears do the same as the vikings in regards to game planing they’ll have a pretty good shot at taking down green bay. You guys have the perfect chemistry to do it. heavy run game to chew up the clock (keep rodgers off the field….that’s why MN has mostly had green bays # in the last several years), new weapons for M.T. to pick up a third and long once in a while, and a good enough defense to not give rodgers the big play. I think if you guys don’t pick up the wild card this year it will be a shame……. good luck