The Chicago Bears 2017 season, like most others, is one of high hopes. Even with the team coming off a 3-13 clunker last year there is a belief that another solid draft could put this roster in position to really make things happen. Not just flash good performances but actually win games. Something the young group hasn’t learned how to do yet.
Opening day draws ever closer. Even as the draft is about to begin, fans already have one eye turned towards September. Will the Bears be ready for the challenge? Can they get off to a hot start? The saying always goes that it doesn’t matter how they start but how they finish. What most people don’t realize is when it comes to this team, the start is everything.
Bears fans have no idea how important the first game has become in recent years for this team. Consistently each year for the past decade the results of that contest would set the tone for the year. If the Bears won the game, they ended up finishing the season with a record of 8-8 or better. If they lost, it would be a record of 7-9 or worse.
It’s not a joke. Here is every season since 2006, the result of the opening game and what the final record was that year.
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- 2016: Loss (3-13)
- 2015: Loss (6-10)
- 2014: Loss (5-11)
- 2013: Win (8-8)
- 2012: Win (10-6)
- 2011: Win (8-8)
- 2010: Win (11-5)
- 2009: Loss (7-9)
- 2008: Win (9-7)
- 2007: Loss (7-9)
- 2006: Win (13-3)
Bears 2017 season rests on topping the NFC champions
That’s is not a misprint. In the past 11 seasons the result of the opening day game for the Chicago Bears has determined the success or failure of that season. A thought that becomes even scarier knowing what lay ahead. This young team, still trying to find an identity will being taking on the reigning NFC champion Atlanta Falcons.
A team that had the best offense in football last year, went 12-4 and has the current MVP at quarterback in Matt Ryan. One that beat the Green Bay Packers twice in the same year. Considering the Bears have beaten the Packers just four times in the Aaron Rodgers era, that is not a comforting realization.
Sure a lot can happen in an NFL season and there have been instances where the Bears have overcome a week one loss to reach the playoffs. It’s just that it hasn’t happened for a long time. This is a trend the Bears haven’t been able to escape. It’s hard to believe this team can survive getting off to slow start if only because they’ve already failed twice to do so under John Fox.
