If one were to play roster against roster, it’s hard to how the Chicago Bears beat the Atlanta Falcons on September 10th at Soldier Field. The Bear still just have too many question marks with their roster. Not the least of which is their fluid quarterback position with former backup Mike Glennon getting the nod to start. Atlanta has Matt Ryan who’s coming off an MVP season.
Not only that but the Falcons are reigning NFC champions. They went 12-4 last year, often dominating their opponent.s The Bears just don’t have a chance. Problem is that logic gets you killed in the NFL. There’s a reason “What a difference a year makes” is such a popular saying among football fans. It’s because things change fast.
Have they changed enough though for the Bears to have a chance on Sunday? That’s difficult to tell at this point. The Falcons lost star offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to San Francisco. There’s no telling how that could impact their high octane offense. However, there are other reasons to think Chicago should not be summarily dismissed.
Bears beat the Atlanta Falcons idea starts with the Super Bowl hangover
Make no mistake. The Super Bowl hangover is real. No team since the dawn of this millennium has ever lost the big game and come back to win it the next year. Not only that, but history shows that it’s even difficult to win the first game of the next season. Since 2000, teams that lost the Super Bowl the previous year were a combined 5-11 in their opening day games the next season.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
- 2016 Panthers – L
- 2015 Seahawks – L
- 2014 Broncos – W
- 2013 49ers – W
- 2012 Patriots – W
- 2011 Steelers – L
- 2010 Colts – L
- 2009 Cardinals – L
- 2008 Patriots – W
- 2007 Bears – L
- 2006 Seahawks – W
- 2005 Eagles – L
- 2004 Panthers – L
- 2003 Raiders – L
- 2002 Rams – L
- 2001 Giants – L
The Bears know this reality well having experienced it first hand. It might’ve been even worse if not for the Patriots skewing it. Nevertheless the point stands. Forget getting back to the Super Bowl itself. Atlanta may have a harder time than they realize getting out of Chicago with a W. The second reason feeds into that last part.
The Falcons really don’t like Chicago of late
There is also another fact playing in the Bears’ favor. That involves location, location, location. Since 1983 the Falcons have played eight games at Soldier Field. To date the Bears have won seven of those games including the past six-straight. Not only that but Atlanta has failed to score more than one touchdown in the past three meeting.
It’s also worth noting that Glennon has a history with the Falcons. He was a backup for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers up until last season. He also started two games against them in 2013, going 1-1 in those games. His stat line was a respectable 46-of-67 for 487 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He didn’t have the respectable ground game and defense as a supporting cast as he did as a rookie.
If nothing else this provides plenty of encouragement that the Bears have every chance to get off on the right foot this year.
