Revenge is always one of the favorite storylines involved with NFL games each year. A player or coach who was run out of town by one team has a chance to get back at them with another. Or one team has a chance to avenge a brutal loss the previous year against the same opponent. The Chicago Bears are going to experience all of that in one game this year.
The 2019 schedule has been release. Chicago learned months ago that they would be facing the AFC West and NFC East divisions this year. Now they known when. Easily the biggest one of those eight contests they have circles is at the start of November when they pay a visit to Philadelphia to face the Eagles.
Dan Hanzus of NFL.com highlighted just how big of a revenge game this is from the Bears’ perspective.
“Last season was something of a rebirth for Bears football. This exciting new reality in Chicago made kicker Cody Parkey’s double-doink in the wild card loss to the Eagles at Soldier Field all the more painful. Parkey won’t be around to exact any revenge — any chance he had at redemption in Chicago surely ended when he expounded upon his disappointment to Hoda Kotb (as one does) — but the rest of the Bears can strike back at a Philadelphia team that rudely canceled their coming out party.”
That’s all true, but it also glosses over an entirely added layer to the revenge factor of this contest.
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Chicago Bears revenge game will also involve Jordan Howard
It won’t just be the Bears seeking retaliation for past pains in that game. A familiar face will also get a chance to have his word on the matter. Jordan Howard, the former Pro Bowl running back for Chicago, will be suiting up for the Eagles this year after the Bears traded him last month.
Howard has said he has no ill-will towards his former team for the decision. While that’s graceful of him, the fact is it would be shocking if that’s the truth. More likely is he has that gave tucked in the back of his mind and plans to bring everything he has on the field to shown them they made a mistake casting him aside like that.
It will feel like the Cedric Benson situation all over again. Hopefully this time the Bears will be better prepared for what’s coming. Either way, both sides will be motivated to the utmost to win this football game. Philadelphia has had their number the past few years. Will this be the time they finally get over the hump?
