The Chicago Bears unveiled their 2020 schedule last week, where we learned exactly when they’ll face their 2020 opponents. While the beginning of the season looks favorable, Chicago faces a difficult stretch in the final nine games.
When looking at the third quarter of the Bears’ 2020 schedule, it continues a difficult stretch for Chicago, who will face three playoff teams from a season ago in their next stretch. The Bears also have three divisional games back-to-back-to-back against the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.
Let’s take a look at the Bears’ third-quarter games of the 2020 season, including way-too-early game predictions.
Week 9 | Bears at Titans
The Bears kick-off their third quarter with a road contest against the Tennessee Titans, who are coming off an AFC Championship appearance last year. Chicago will have to contend with running back Derrick Henry, who carried the Titans on his back during Tennessee’s postseason run last season. While the Bears have a dominant run defense, they’ll face a test on the road against one of the NFL’s best. This is a game where the Bears defense shouldn’t be expected to win it on their own — they’re going to need some help from Chicago’s offense.
Prediction: Titans 21-20
Check out game-by-game score predictions from around the NFL Wires network:
Buf / Mia / NE / NYJ // Bal / Cin / Cle / Pit // Hou / Ind / Jax / Ten // Den / KC / LV / LAC //// Dal / NYG / Phi / Was // Chi / Det / GB / Min // Atl / Car / NO / TB // Ari / LAR / SF / Sea
Week 10 | Bears vs. Vikings
The Bears have a chance to make a statement heading into their bye week with a prime-time victory over divisional foes the Vikings on Monday Night Football. Chicago has had Minnesota’s number for the last two seasons, as they’ve gone 4-0 against their rivals since Nagy’s arrival. They’ll be looking to continue that success heading into a particularly rough stretch of their season. These games have typically been big defensive showdowns, where the Bears defense has risen to the challenge. We’ll see if Chicago can make it five straight against the Vikings.
Prediction: Bears 20-13
Check out game-by-game score predictions from around the NFL Wires network:
Buf / Mia / NE / NYJ // Bal / Cin / Cle / Pit // Hou / Ind / Jax / Ten // Den / KC / LV / LAC //// Dal / NYG / Phi / Was // Chi / Det / GB / Min // Atl / Car / NO / TB // Ari / LAR / SF / Sea
Week 12 | Bears at Packers
The Bears haven’t exactly fared well coming off a bye week since the start of Matt Nagy’s tenure, and it won’t get easier in 2020 as Chicago will meet their hated rivals Green Bay on Sunday Night Football. The Bears have lost three of their last four meetings against Green Bay, including two prime-time losses to start the season in 2018 and 2019. Much like last season, the Bears could be in a position for a postseason berth — whether that’s contending for the NFC North or a coveted Wild Card spot — and this is a game that, if they win, could give them a leg up.
Prediction: Packers 20-14
Check out game-by-game score predictions from around the NFL Wires network:
Buf / Mia / NE / NYJ // Bal / Cin / Cle / Pit // Hou / Ind / Jax / Ten // Den / KC / LV / LAC //// Dal / NYG / Phi / Was // Chi / Det / GB / Min // Atl / Car / NO / TB // Ari / LAR / SF / Sea
Week 13 | Bears vs. Lions
Following three tough opponents, the Bears will conclude their third quarter with a home game against the Lions. Chicago is 4-0 against Detroit over the last two seasons, and they’ve fared better at Soldier Field, which have prompted strong offensive showings in the last two seasons by the Bears. They’ve put up 54 points against the Lions in home games against Detroit in 2018 and 2019. This is a must-win game for Chicago, who could likely be in the hunt for the postseason at this point in the season. And with a difficult stretch to wrap things up, a win over the Lions would certainly help them.
Prediction: Bears 28-17
Check out game-by-game score predictions from around the NFL Wires network:
Buf / Mia / NE / NYJ // Bal / Cin / Cle / Pit // Hou / Ind / Jax / Ten // Den / KC / LV / LAC //// Dal / NYG / Phi / Was // Chi / Det / GB / Min // Atl / Car / NO / TB // Ari / LAR / SF / Sea
