The COVID-19 virus still might be out there looming, but it has been confirmed that the NFL season will be starting in September. This is certainly exciting news for any fan, especially Bear fan. That being said, the only problem is that everything up until this point has been speculation. This leaves a lot up in the air for the Bears. Right now all the fans know is that the Bears are set to play the AFC South and NFC South, in addition to playing the Giants and the rams. You include this along with their annual NFC matchups and it is more than clear that they are going to have their work cut out for them in the upcoming 2020 season.
There is no denying that on paper, it looks like the Bear’s opponents have improved. However, the Bears are not a team to lay down and just give up, as they have made some major moves of their own. What do fans need to know about the team heading into the upcoming season?
Hosting 4 Playoff-Caliber Teams At Home
Every fan holds a special place in his or her heart for their team’s home stadium. This is especially true for Bear fans, given that the place is referred to as Soldier Field. With such a significant name and meaning, the team will need to do everything within their power to protect that field in 2020. Under the guide of Matt Nagy, through two seasons, the teams haven’t had much of a problem doing so as they re 11 and 5 at home. That being said, 2020 might be the most challenging year for them to continue doing
this. As far as fans know, the team is scheduled to play 4 playoff-caliber teams. This would be the Packers, the Buccaneers, the Vikings, and the Saints. What’s even scarier about the situation is that 3 of these teams did make it to the playoffs in 2019. The Saints, the packers, and the Vikings all make it into the 2019 playoffs last year.
The Bears On Primetime?
Anyone that has been keeping up with online sports betting knows that the Bears will be highly favored this year. Sportsbooks and pay per head sites like Realbookies.com have them the favorite to win their division. It is highly likely that they also know that the bears currently has one of the best defensive teams in the league. Why is this significant? Because it has made them one of the more popular teams, meaning they are garnering a lot of attention with a plethora of opportunities to be on primetime in 2020. As of right now, the Bears could host at least four potential primetime games, whether it be at home or on the road. That being said, if fans do get graced with a primetime game from the road, it’ll likely be one against the Los Angeles Rams. The two teams have already met consecutive seasons in 2018 and 2019 on Sunday Night Football. At home, it could be the Saints, Buccaneers, Packers, or Texans that the Bears face on primetime.
Some New Debuts
Speaking of Texans, the team might be sorry that they passed on Deshaun Watson. The Texans passed on him just four years ago, but it is likely that they remember him with the splash that he’s been making for himself. And, it is slated that he is going to be starting this year with the Bears, so if things continue on this path and he performs as he should, the Texans will certainly be sorry that they passed on him when they face the Bears at Soldier Field. That being said, most fans and even players will be glad to get this out of the way because it is a scenario that they are growing all too tired of. This could give Trubisky the motivation and determination that he needs to get out there and prove himself as the true franchise quarterback.
Possible Road Warriors
Road games are never fun or easy, but despite what many think, the Bears look like they are set up for an easy road schedule. This doesn’t mean that it will turn out that way, as things on paper likely never turn out the way they are supposed to, but there is a real potential here. The two hardest teams that they’ll match up against are the Rams and the Packers. The Falcons, Panthers, Titans, and Jaguars should be all easily winnable games, on paper.
