Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 08: Cordarrelle Patterson #84 of the Chicago Bears is chased by Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field on October 08, 2020, in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Bucs 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 08: Cordarrelle Patterson #84 of the Chicago Bears is chased by Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field on October 08, 2020, in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Bucs 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2. At Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Any matchup with the reigning Super Bowl champions qualifies as a must-win game, so this showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is important for Chicago. These teams actually met on an early-season Thursday night matchup in 2020, with the Bears pulling off a key victory over the Buccaneers.

The key to that victory was consistent pressure from the Bears’ defense on Tom Brady, who was sacked three times and averaged just 6.2 yards per pass. Chicago’s offense made just enough plays under Nick Foles to squeak out the one-point win, which was by far the best result of the season for the Bears.

A lot has changed for both teams since that game, with Chicago going just 4-8 the rest of the way while Tampa Bay went on to win the Super Bowl. The rematch comes at Raymond James Stadium this season and it will be a date that the Buccaneers have circled on the calendar as they try to avenge one of their few losses from 2020.

Winning a road game against the defending Super Bowl champs would be huge for the Bears, who need the kind of confidence boost a win in a measuring-stick game can provide. This contest could also have major postseason ramifications so picking up this head-to-head tiebreak would be critical for Chicago.

Home/Chicago Bears