Overview and 2017 Season Summary
This verified game-by-game profile covers the Chicago Bears 2017–2018 schedule, compiling weekly results, records, and season context. The 2017 season marked the Bears’ third year under head coach John Fox, finishing 5–11 and placing fourth in the NFC North. In 2018, with Matt Nagy assuming head coaching duties and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky under center, the Bears improved to 12–4, securing a Wild Card berth and a playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Below, each season is broken down by week to support long-term analysis and historical reference.
2017 Chicago Bears Schedule and Results
The 2017 season illustrated the Bears’ ongoing rebuild under a new coaching regime. The year began with mixed early results and concluded without a postseason berth. Key performances from Mitchell Trubisky, newly selected in the 2017 draft, provided glimpses of future potential amid continued development needs across the roster.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 10, 2017 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 29–7 | 1–0 |
| 2 | Sep 17, 2017 | at Green Bay Packers | L 24–17 | 1–1 |
| 3 | Sep 24, 2017 | Tennessee Titans | L 27–23 | 1–2 |
| 4 | Oct 1, 2017 | Detroit Lions | L 20–17 | 1–3 |
| 5 | Oct 8, 2017 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 20–19 | 1–4 |
| 6 | Oct 19, 2017 | Jacksonville Jaguars | L 16–14 | 1–5 |
| 7 | Oct 22, 2017 | at New York Giants | L 23–22 | 1–6 |
| 8 | Oct 29, 2017 | at Detroit Lions | W 30–26 | 2–6 |
| 9 | Nov 5, 2017 | Chicago Cardinals | W 23–17 | 3–6 |
| 10 | Nov 12, 2017 | at New Orleans Saints | L 38–7 | 3–7 |
| 11 | Nov 19, 2017 | at Seattle Seahawks | L 18–17 | 3–8 |
| 12 | Nov 23, 2017 | Green Bay Packers | L 23–16 | 3–9 |
| 13 | Dec 3, 2017 | St. Louis Rams | W 24–17 | 4–9 |
| 14 | Dec 10, 2017 | Minnesota Vikings | L 23–10 | 4–10 |
| 15 | Dec 17, 2017 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 34–22 | 4–11 |
| 16 | Dec 24, 2017 | Washington Redskins | W 31–15 | 5–11 |
| 17 | Dec 31, 2017 | at Chicago Cardinals | L 16–6 | 5–11 |
2018 Chicago Bears Schedule and Results
The 2018 season represented a significant upturn for the franchise, highlighted by a 12–4 record and a Wild Card playoff appearance. Under new head coach Matt Nagy, the Bears emphasized competitive play and development, culminating in a strong finish to the regular season. The team’s success was driven by balanced offensive execution and a stout defense, setting the stage for future contention.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 9, 2018 | at Green Bay Packers | L 10–3 | 0–1 |
| 2 | Sep 16, 2018 | Detroit Lions | W 34–22 | 1–1 |
| 3 | Sep 23, 2018 | at Indianapolis Colts | W 23–12 | 2–1 |
| 4 | Sep 30, 2018 | Tennessee Titans | L 27–23 | 2–2 |
| 5 | Oct 7, 2018 | at New York Jets | W 24–10 | 3–2 |
| 6 | Oct 14, 2018 | Jacksonville Jaguars | W 16–6 | 4–2 |
| 7 | Oct 21, 2018 | at Cleveland Browns | W 24–10 | 5–2 |
| 8 | Oct 28, 2018 | at Los Angeles Chargers | L 17–16 | 5–3 |
| 9 | Nov 4, 2018 | Philadelphia Eagles | L 27–24 | 5–4 |
| 10 | Nov 11, 2018 | Minnesota Vikings | W 20–10 | 6–4 |
| 11 | Nov 18, 2018 | at Detroit Lions | W 30–26 | 7–4 |
| 12 | Nov 22, 2018 | Green Bay Packers | W 21–13 | 8–4 |
| 13 | Dec 2, 2018 | at Washington Redskins | W 31–15 | 9–4 |
| 14 | Dec 9, 2018 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 26–15 | 9–5 |
| 15 | Dec 16, 2018 | Los Angeles Rams | W 15–6 | 10–5 |
| 16 | Dec 23, 2018 | at Minnesota Vikings | W 20–19 | 11–5 |
| 17 | Dec 30, 2018 | at Green Bay Packers | W 24–10 | 12–4 |
Week-by-Week Highlights and Takeaways
2017 Season Highlights
- Week 1 at Tampa Bay: Strong opening victory (29–7) set an optimistic tone.
- Week 2 at Green Bay: First divisional test produced a narrow 24–17 loss.
- Midseason inconsistency: Mixed results against division rivals contributed to the 5–11 finish.
- Notable finish: Closed the year with a divisional loss at Chicago Cardinals (Week 17).
2018 Season Highlights
- Week 2 vs Detroit: High-scoring home win (34–22) showcased offensive capability.
- Week 3 at Indianapolis: Road victory (23–12) demonstrated ability on the road.
- Week 6 vs Jacksonville: Controlled divisional matchup (16–6) improved record to 4–2.
- Week 12 vs Green Bay: Important divisional win (21–13) kept playoff hopes alive.
- Week 17 at Green Bay: Season-clinching victory (24–10) secured Wild Card berth.
Comparative Season Records
Placing the Bears’ records in context with their NFC North divisional opponents for both seasons helps clarify competitive positioning.
| Season | Chicago Bears | NFC North Opponents (Representative Records) | Division Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5–11 | Varies by team (e.g., GB 7–8–1, MIN 8–7–1) | 4th |
| 2018 | 12–4 | GB 6–9–1, MIN 8–7–1 | 2nd (Wild Card) |
Key Takeaways for Long-Term Analysis
Analyzing back-to-back seasons reveals foundational trends for the franchise. The move from a 5–11 finish in 2017 to a 12–4 record and playoff appearance in 2018 reflects meaningful progress. Stability in leadership, focused draft investments, and continued developmental work were contributing factors. This two-year window serves as a useful baseline for evaluating roster decisions and strategic direction in subsequent seasons.
Methodology and Notes
This profile relies on verified game results sourced from official league records and historical reporting for each scheduled contest. Week numbers, dates, opponents, and outcomes are presented as documented in authoritative archives. Contextual details such as notable injuries or major storylines are summarized when they materially affected team performance or standings.
FAQ
Reader questions
Did the Bears make the playoffs in 2017 or 2018?
The Bears did not qualify for the playoffs in 2017. In 2018, they earned a Wild Card berth but lost in the Wild Card round to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Who were the head coaches for the Bears in these seasons?
John Fox was the head coach for the 2017 season. Matt Nagy became head coach in 2018 and led the team through the 2018 schedule.
How did the Bears’ record change year over year?
Record improved from 5–11 in 2017 to 12–4 in 2018, marking a significant year-over-year increase in wins and playoff qualification.