The 2018 Chicago Bears schedule marked a dramatic pivot point for a franchise that had spent the better part of a decade lingering in the NFC North cellar. Under first-year head coach Matt Nagy and fueled by a blockbuster preseason trade for edge rusher Khalil Mack, the Bears transformed from a rebuilding afterthought into a 12-4 division champion. This analysis examines how that schedule unfolded, the defining matchups that shaped their season, and the underlying metrics that explained both their dominant regular season and their heartbreaking postseason exit.
Entering the 2018 campaign, oddsmakers pegged Chicago's win total over/under at a modest 7.5. Few analysts predicted the rapid synergy between Vic Fangio's elite 3-4 defense and Nagy's innovative, West Coast-inspired offensive scheme. The journey featured early adversity, a mid-season surge against conference opponents, and defensive performances that ranked among the most disruptive of the decade.
Preseason Expectations and Roster Construction
General manager Ryan Pace overhauled the roster ahead of the 2018 season, signaling a clear shift toward supporting second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. The front office signed wide receivers Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, alongside tight end Trey Burton, to inject speed and route-running precision into the passing game.
The defining moment of the summer, however, occurred just days before the regular season opener. On September 1, 2018, the Bears traded two first-round draft picks, a third-rounder, and a sixth-rounder to the Oakland Raiders for Khalil Mack. Mack immediately signed a record-breaking extension, anchoring a defensive unit that already featured rising stars like safety Eddie Jackson, cornerback Kyle Fuller, and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks.
Month-by-Month Schedule Breakdown
The 2018 slate presented a balanced mix of divisional tests and cross-conference matchups against the AFC East and NFC West.
September: Early Growing Pains
- Week 1 at Green Bay Packers (L, 24-23): The season opened on Sunday Night Football with a gut punch. Chicago dominated for three quarters, building a 20-0 halftime lead behind Mack's historic first-half performance (a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception returned for a touchdown). However, an injured Aaron Rodgers returned in the fourth quarter to orchestrate a stunning comeback, capped by a game-winning touchdown pass to Randall Cobb.
- Week 2 vs. Seattle Seahawks (W, 24-17): The home opener provided a bounce-back win on Monday Night Football, highlighted by a late defensive stand and a dynamic multi-touchdown performance from running back Tarik Cohen.
- Week 3 at Arizona Cardinals (W, 16-14): A sluggish offensive outing required three Cairo Santos field goals and a defensive red-zone interception to escape the desert with a narrow victory.
- Week 4 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 48-10): Coming off an early NFL bye week, Trubisky put together the best game of his career, throwing six touchdown passes in the first half alone to dismantle the Buccaneers.
October: Surviving the Grinder
- Week 6 at Miami Dolphins (L, 31-28, OT): Playing in oppressive heat and humidity, the Bears suffered a frustrating overtime loss despite mounting over 460 yards of total offense.
- Week 7 vs. New England Patriots (L, 38-31): In a thrilling matchup against Tom Brady and the Patriots, the Bears traded blows deep into the fourth quarter. A potential game-winning Hail Mary from Trubisky was caught just short of the goal line as time expired.
- Week 8 vs. New York Jets (W, 24-10): Chicago handled business at Soldier Field, controlling the line of scrimmage against rookie quarterback Sam Darnold.
November: The Division Seized
- Week 9 at Buffalo Bills (W, 41-9): The defense scored twice, and the offense coasted in a dominant road blowout.
- Week 10 vs. Detroit Lions (W, 34-22): Trubisky threw for three touchdowns, establishing control of the NFC North race.
- Week 11 vs. Minnesota Vikings (W, 25-20): On Sunday Night Football, the defense suffocated Kirk Cousins down the stretch, securing a crucial prime-time win that pushed the Bears to 7-3.
- Week 12 at Detroit Lions (W, 23-16): Playing on Thanksgiving with backup quarterback Chase Daniel starting for an injured Trubisky, the defense forced three turnovers to secure a short-week victory.
December: Securing the Crown
- Week 13 at New York Giants (L, 30-27, OT): Backup quarterback struggles caught up to Chicago in a messy overtime road defeat.
- Week 14 vs. Los Angeles Rams (W, 15-6): In one of the defining defensive masterclasses of the era, the Bears intercepted high-powered Rams quarterback Jared Goff four times on Sunday Night Football, effectively neutralizing the NFC's top-scoring offense.
- Week 15 vs. Green Bay Packers (W, 24-17): Sweet revenge against their arch-rivals. Winning this game officially clinched the NFC North division title, sparking massive celebrations at Soldier Field.
- Weeks 16 and 17 (Wins vs. San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings): The Bears finished strong, securing a 12-4 record and locking up the NFC's third seed.
Key Statistical Achievements
The 2018 Bears defense was historic across several key metrics:
- Points Allowed: Finished 1st in the NFL, giving up just 17.7 points per game (283 total points).
- Takeaways: Led the league with 36 forced turnovers (27 interceptions, 9 fumble recoveries).
- Pass Rush: Accumulated 50 sacks, spearheaded by Khalil Mack's 12.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles.
- All-Pro Honors: Placed four players on the Associated Press All-Pro First Team: Khalil Mack, Kyle Fuller, Eddie Jackson, and Tarik Cohen.
Offensively, the team finished 9th in scoring (26.3 points per game). Trubisky threw for 3,223 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while rushing for 421 yards and 3 scores, earning a Pro Bowl alternate nod.
The Wild Card Heartbreak
The magical regular season concluded with a bitter finish in the NFC Wild Card round against the Philadelphia Eagles. Played at Soldier Field on January 6, 2019, the game turned into a defensive struggle. After Trubisky led a clutch drive late in the fourth quarter to set up a go-ahead touchdown, Philadelphia drove down the field to take a 16-15 lead.
With 10 seconds remaining, kicker Cody Parkey lined up for a potential 43-yard game-winning field goal. Parkey's kick deflected off the left upright and then grazed the crossbar—a sequence forever immortalized in Chicago sports lore as the "Double Dooy"—leaving the Bears with a devastating 16-15 playoff loss and cutting short a Super Bowl-caliber run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final record of the 2018 Chicago Bears?
The Bears finished the 2018 regular season with a 12-4 record, winning the NFC North division title for the first time since 2010.
Who was the head coach of the 2018 Chicago Bears?
Matt Nagy served as the head coach in his first of four seasons at the helm, winning the NFL Coach of the Year award for the turnaround.
How many Pro Bowlers did the team have in 2018?
The Bears sent eight players to the Pro Bowl: Mitchell Trubisky, Charles Leno, Cody Whitehair, Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack, Kyle Fuller, Eddie Jackson, and Tarik Cohen.
What caused the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs?
The Bears lost 16-15 after a late 43-yard field goal attempt hit both the left upright and the crossbar in the final seconds, resulting in a missed kick.
