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The Chicago Bears made a major offseason splash last year by acquiring linebacker Khalil Mack from the Oakland Raiders. This move helped them shock the NFL by going 12-4, tied for the second-best record in football.
However, their season ended in the Wild Card round of the playoffs – losing to the Philadelphia Eagles.
2018 is now firmly in the rearview mirror though. The 2019 schedules were released on Wednesday and it's time to see how the Bears will stack up once again.
Which games on their schedule should everyone keep an eye out for though?
Here are the five must-watch games that not only Bears fans will want to tune in to, but the entire NFL community.
5. Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving Day Game)
Oddly enough, this is the only NFC North divisional rival on this list. The Detroit Lions are the worst of the other three teams even.
The Green Bay Packers are always a threat with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. They also are incredibly evenly matched with the Chicago Bears throughout history. So those are always good games to watch. At the moment they don't make the top-5 though.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings took a step back last season after signing quarterback Kirk Cousins. They have a lot of pieces in place and could easily find their footing again in 2019. Again, not a top-5 matchup at the moment though.
So why do the Lions make the list? Simple, it's the Thanksgiving Day Game. Crazy things happen – and there's a special atmosphere on this day.
It's also a game the Lions could easily steal. Although they're the worst team in the division they have some nice talent on the roster. Matthew Stafford can always find a way to pull a win out of his hat too.
Thanksgiving gives this game a little extra oomph, so the Bears need to watch out.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
This one is self-explanatory. The Philadelphia Eagles knocked the Chicago Bears out of the playoffs last year. It's time for the Bears to try and get revenge.
Last season, the Eagles barely squeaked into the postseason with a 9-7 record. Then they faced off with the Bears in the Wild Card game and beat them despite having backup quarterback Nick Foles in.
Now Foles is gone on a massive deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. That means the Eagles are completely trusting Carson Wentz.
How sweet would it be for the Bears to win this game? Try to plant a seed in the head of Philadelphia fans everywhere that they made the wrong call.
I'm not saying they did at all – it was the right call in fact. However, if the Eagles can't beat Chicago with Wentz when they could with Foles – you just know Philadelphia fans will have a field day with that.
They play in week 9.
3. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints were tied for the best record in the NFL last year with a 13-3 mark. Therefore, they'll have a target on their back in 2019. Every team will be gunning for them to prove they have what it takes to be elite this season.
The Chicago Bears will have a chance to do just that in week 7, right after their bye.
Chicago is in an odd spot. They definitely have an elite defense, but their offense holds quite a few question marks. Those were only exasperated with their loss in the playoffs last year. Is this a legitimate contender team? Or do they just have enough to be a good regular season team?
Looking back at their schedule last season, Chicago had very few statement wins.
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This would be a chance for them to have a massive one in 2019.
2. Los Angeles Rams
Speaking of statement wins from 2018. This was their big one. The Los Angeles Rams were the other team in the NFL with a 13-3 record last season.
One of those three losses came at the hands of the Chicago Bears.
The Rams will come into this game with a chip on their shoulders. They're also the defending NFC Champions. This will be the ultimate test game for Chicago.
They'll be out to prove last season wasn't a fluke all 2019. What better way to prove that than with a win against one of the best teams in football.
This should also just genuinely be a good game. Like the Saints, the Rams possess an elite offense. Meanwhile, the Bears have arguably the best defense in football. It's the classic battle of strength vs. strength – which side will flinch first?
Or will it be the Bears offense that comes up big in this game? Or the Rams defense?
Anything can happen when to teams of this caliber clash – it happens in week 11 on Sunday Night.
1. Oakland Raiders
Khalil Mack's first game against his old team – could number one have been anything else? The Oakland Raiders shocked the world when they traded Mack last season.
He's one of the best defensive players in football (possibly second only behind Aaron Donald). Despite that, the Raiders didn't seem to want to pay him – and elected to trade him instead.
Now Mack gets a chance at his revenge. The Raiders should consider themselves lucky they didn't have to play him last year – as Mack and the Bears defense were on a warpath all season long.
Sadly for the Raiders – it looks like it will be more of the same in 2019.
Can Oakland prove they knew what they were doing and put together a strong season? If that happens – a win over the Bears would be icing on the cake for them.
However, it's the same thing for Chicago and Mack. If they can have another great year – and put away Oakland by doing it – wow.
Week 6 – definitely tune-in to this one.
