Training camp and the preseason are in the rearview mirror, which only means it's time for the Chicago Bears to prepare for the 2026 regular season.
The first focus shifts to the Carolina Panthers, but the first five games of the regular season are an interesting mix of games. While there are some easy ones with the Panthers and Jets, the Bears also have two NFC North opponents and the Philadelphia Eagles to play.
Many are wondering how the Bears will do in those games and whether they'll stack up well with them despite having the hardest schedule in the NFL. Here's a prediction of how the Bears will do in the first five matchups of the 2026 campaign.
Predicting Bears' first five games of the 2026 season
Week 1 - at Carolina Panthers (September 13 at 12:00 pm CST)
The Panthers are an interesting team that, despite making the playoffs, were just an 8-9 team. They had a solid offseason with additions, but they lost some key defensive starters. Chicago has a ton of offensive talent, and despite their own defensive injuries, the Bears should be able to pull out a win in Week 1.
Prediction: Bears 31, Panthers 17 (Record: 1-0)
Week 2- vs. Minnesota Vikings (September 20 at 12:00 pm CST)
NFC North opponents are never easy, and the Vikings split the regular season series against the Bears last year. Minnesota has a new quarterback, Kyler Murray, who is better than J.J. McCarthy, and the Vikings have a nightmare defense coached by defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Still, this game could end up a lot like what happened last year in Minneapolis, with Cairo Santos hitting a game-winning field goal to close out the contest.
Prediction: Bears 24, Vikings 21 (OT) (Record 2-0)
Week 3 - vs. Philadelphia Eagles (September 28 at 7:15 pm CST)
Last year, the Bears embarrassed the Eagles in Philly on Black Friday. The Eagles have a new look on offense under coordinator Sean Mannion and have added a ton of talent at receiver. Chicago might have the firepower offensively to keep up, but this Eagles defense is still elite enough to give them fits. The Bears have to lose some games in 2026, so this feels like one where the Eagles get their revenge and take the win.
Prediction: Eagles 31, Bears 26 (Record: 2-1)
Week 4 vs. New York Jets (October 4 at 12:00 pm CST
Let's face it: it's the Jets. Is there really anything else to say, or can we move on to the Packers game already?
Prediction: Bears 38, Jets 14 (Record 3-1)
Read more: Ryan Poles just created 17 million reasons for Bears to add more talent
Week 5 at Green Bay Packers (October 11 at 3:25 pm CST)
This is the one that is circled on the calendar for all Bears fans. The Packers seem weaker in their pass rush and lost two starting receivers from last year. Still, this Green Bay team will be competitive and give the Bears a really hard time. Ultimately, though, this comes down to who has the better, more clutch quarterback, and Caleb Williams is that guy.
Prediction: Bears 21, Packers 14 (Record: 4-1)
Add us as a preferred source on Google