The wait is almost over! The start of the 2019 NFL season is right around the corner, and it can’t get here any sooner. This Thursday night, the league will kick off its 100th season with the NFL’s oldest rivalry when the Green Bay Packers face the Chicago Bears in the Windy City.
The Bears are coming off an unforgettable 2018 campaign, finishing the year with a 12-4 record and winning the NFC North title for the first time since 2010. With the majority of their starting lineup on both sides of the ball returning, expectations are higher than ever for the Monsters of the Midway in 2019.
Having the very first game of the year in the NFL, everyone will be looking at all aspects of Chicago’s team. There are a lot of things that are worth paying attention to, and a legitimate argument for why each one is important can be made for all of them. Although there are plenty of things to look for in this Week 1 matchup, here are the five most important things to keep an eye on this Thursday night.