Chicago Bears: The 5 Most Important Games of 2018

The Chicago Bears would like to win every game possible in their 2018 schedule. There’s only 16, so every one counts. Some just matter a bit more.

Seasons tend to turn good or bad on the result of a handful of games. These games can be determined by the opponent played or the simple timing in the season it was played. For example, one could ask how different the season might’ve gone for the Bears had they managed to knock off the Saints in New Orleans before the bye week. That would’ve been their third-straight win and put them at 4-4 with another half season to go.

Here are five games that could play out in a similar light of importance.

vs. Detroit Lions (Week 10)

Every divisional game is important, no matter who the opponent. If nothing else the Bears have to make sure they hold serve at home. They should’ve beaten the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field last year but lost due to some mind-bending mistakes late, including a missed field goal right after a brilliant 4th down scramble by Mitch Trubisky. Of the three NFC North opponents, the Lions have to be the team Chicago takes care of business against. Losing important games you should win is not something a team with playoff aspirations does.

vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 4)

This game has some layered importance to it. Tampa Bay may not be in the division but they’re an NFC threat, for starters. Then there’s the fact that they are the final opponent before the BYE week. This means the Bears can determine how much momentum they have going into the stretch run of their season depending on whether they win or lose. Last but not least, it’s a simple revenge story. The Bucs have humiliated the Bears each of the past two years in blowouts. This will mark the first time the Bears get them in Chicago.

at Minnesota Vikings (Week 17)

The season finale has been utterly pointless for the Bears since 2014. Not since their backbreaking defeat against Green Bay in 2013 did the final game of the year mean so much. This will mark the third-straight time they’ve had to play in Minnesota to close the regular season. The two previous times they were completely out of the playoff picture and subsequently blown out. Law of averages suggests that one of these games will matter. If the Bears can get to this game with even an 8-7 record, it will gain immense significance.

vs. Seattle Seahawks (Week 2)

The best the Bears can probably hope for this season is a wild card playoff berth. That means they need to beat other teams who might be in contention for them in the NFC. The Seattle Seahawks are always such a threat and one could say the Bears’ slide into irrelevance started because of them and that brutal loss at Soldier Field six years ago. Now they have a shot at redemption but also need to ensure they protect their home stadium in their first game. Something they haven’t done so well in recent years.

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at Green Bay Packers (Week 1)

There are so many reasons this is the critical game of the season. It’s the Packers of course and it’s a divisional game. However, the more practical reason is it’s the first game of the year. People continue to underestimate the importance of winning the first game. For some context, care to know the last time the Bears lost opening day but finished with a winning record? That was 2005. Since then they’ve lost that game six times. Each time they ended up with a losing record at seasons’ end. Beating the Packers is important, but so is getting off to a strong start.