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Chicago Bears 2021 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

By Mike Phillips

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears rushes the passer during the first quarter of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 27, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears rushes the passer during the first quarter of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 27, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball as cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. #33 of the Arizona Cardinals gives chase during the first half at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball as cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. #33 of the Arizona Cardinals gives chase during the first half at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3. Vs. San Francisco 49ers

This is the third key NFC West game for the Bears, who have to find a way to at least split against the division if they hope to win a wild card out of the NFC. While the matchups against Los Angeles and Seattle are important, this home date with the San Francisco 49ers will likely have more significant implications in the wild card race.

It is easy to forget that the 49ers held a 10-point lead over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV before collapsing in the fourth quarter. San Francisco’s 2020 season was wrecked by injuries, but better health should make this team much more dangerous in 2021.

Kyle Shanahan is also a better head coach than Nagy, which will make this a challenging matchup for the Bears if the teams are at full strength on the injury front. The 49ers have been known to come up with very creative offensive gameplans that should find ways to break down Chicago’s stalwart defense.

This game at Soldier Field should have a massive impact on the wild card picture with the winner scoring a key head-to-head tiebreaker. If the Bears can knock off the 49ers in Chicago it would be a huge boost to the team’s postseason hopes.

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