Going into this first of two matchups with the Green Bay Packers, the Chicago Bears understand more than ever how important this rivalry is. With how tight the NFC is right now, the two matchups with Green Bay will have a direct impact on playoff seeding and playoff berths in general.
In his early time with the Bears media, this week, tight end Cole Kmet talked about the rivalry which he's now been part of for six seasons.
Probably the most pertinent thing he said came at the tail end of this particular segment:
"Both look like they're going to be very meaningful games, for both teams, going forward," Kmet said.
Cole Kmet's take on the Packers matchup is exactly what every single Bears fan already knows
This seems far too obvious, but truly, it cannot be said enough. These two matchups with the Packers could very well make or break the Bears' season.
That's not an exaggeration.
It's not even remotely an exaggeration.
These two games mean more than any other divisional matchup in the last six seasons. If the Bears were to beat Cleveland, San Francisco and Detroit but lose both two Green Bay, they'd finish at 12-5 and will be fighting for a Wild Card spot, in all likelihood.
What are the chances the Bears beat Detroit, San Francisco, and Cleveland, though? If we're being realistic, they probably drop one of them -- and hopefully I'm wrong.
Should Chicago beat Green Bay in both games, that changes the outlook, especially winning the first one on the road. A win at Lambeau would only continue to help boost this team's confidence.
"Obviously it gets you pumped up. That's the big rivalry here," Kmet went on ... "You look across sports in general, this is a huge rivalry. It's a game that means a lot to a lot of people. I think Ben (Johnson) understood that coming in and taking the job.
"This is a game I look forward to every year. This is one of my favorites ... it's an honor to be part of this type of game."
When it's all said and done, the Bears are in an interesting spot. They control their own destiny at this stage in the season. If they win out and end the year at 14-3, they're the no. 1 seed, no questions asked.
Imagine that world.
Or don't. Stay in the moment, if you prefer.
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But, buckle up, because it's about to get even more tense.