Breakdown: Chicago Bears vs. the NFL East |
After looking at how the Bears fared against the AFC East the other day, today we dive into the NFC East to measure up how the Bears have performed against them.
Going through the long history of the NFL and you will find that this division is largely regarded as one of the most successful divisions in NFL history. Not only has this division seen more than 10 Lombardi trophies hoisted up, but it is one of the only divisions in football, in fact, it is the only division in football that can say everyone has won the Superbowl at least one time. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: The sudden surge of success by Philadelphia is a good thing for football especially when they won their first-ever Superbowl just two seasons go. However, the Bears vs Eagles rivalry has been going on for years with Chicago holding the series advantage 29-16-1. This was a series that started way back in 1933 with the two teams battling to a 3-3 tie. From that point on it was all Chicago as they went on to win the next 10 meetings and 12 of 13 to take complete control of the series. The tables have certainly turned over the last 20 seasons as the Eagles are the ones controlling the with the Bears going just 4-11 over the last 15 meetings including five consecutive losses. No loss was worse than their postseason loss back in 2019 when Cody Parkey clanked a would-be game-winning field goal off the upright to give the Eagles a 16-15 win. These two teams last met last season with the Eagles coming out on top 22-14. Chicago last beat Philadelphia in 2011, when the Bears found a way to escape with a 30-24 win on the road. Jay Cutler tossed for a pair of scores in the win with Matt Forte controlling the clock with 133 yards on the ground.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Once a proud franchise in the 1980s and into the 1990s, the Redskins are a complete mess of an organization now so much so that they are looking at changing the team's name. The series between these two teams has been about as even as you can get with the Redskins holding the slight advantage 26-24-1.
Another series that began in the 1930s when the Redskins were known as the Boston Braves, the two teams played to a 7-7 tie in their inaugural 1932 meeting before the Bears won the very next season 7-0. Early on in this series, the Bears held the slight advantage but took control of things winning six straight contests during the 1940s into the 1950s.
Once we got to the 1990s, it has been all Washington as the Bears have managed just three wins since 1990 and even endured a six and seven-game losing streak during that time. The later of the two losing streaks came to an end last season when the Bears knocked off the Redskins 31-15 on the road for their first win against Washington since 2003. That game was known as the Taylor Gabriel game as he caught three first-half touchdowns from Mitch Trubisky to seal the win.
NEW YORK GIANTS: Another successful franchise during the 1980s before finding some success against the Patriots twice in the Superbowl over the past 15 seasons, the Giants are in a similar spot like the Redskins as they are struggling to field a competitive organization right now. This is another series that goes way back with the teams first meeting in 1925 and the Bears holding the edge 32-24-2. Chicago went on to win the first meeting between the two teams 19-7, but the Giants controlled the series early.
It was in the 1930s and then again in the 1970s when Chicago began to impose their will on the Giants winning nine of 10 meetings against them during that time. Recently, the teams have played to .500 mark with each team winning four of their last eight meetings. Chicago put an end to a mini-two game skid against the Giants this past season as they earned their first win against them since 2013.
In a late-season matchup at Soldier field, it was the Bears relying on their defense to stop the Giants as they hung on for the 19-14 win. Trubisky threw for nearly 300 yards in the win but turned the ball over twice putting a damper on what was a solid performance.
DALLAS COWBOYS: While the Bears may have the most wins all time. It is the Cowboys who have the highest winning percentage all time and that was mainly because of a 30-year run that saw them reach eight Super bowls winning five of them. Still known as America’s team for some reason, the Cowboys are going on 25 years since their last Superbowl appearance which is mind-blowing, to say the least.
Over the course of history, even when the Cowboys were dominating during their Superbowl days, Chicago has always matched up well against them as the Cowboys hold the upper hand slightly 15-12. This was a series that didn’t start until 1960, with the Bears winning the first-ever game 17-7. Once the year 1973 began, it was all Cowboys as they went on to win the next six games of the series which is the main reason why they have an all-time advantage.
Things have been getting much better over the last 20 years for Chicago as the teams have played to a 3-3 tie with the Bears ending a two-game skid this past season earning their first win against Dallas since 2013. That win came in December at Soldier Field as the Bears were fighting for a postseason berth at the time. In what was perhaps the best game of Trubisky’s season, the Bears saw Trubisky throw for three touchdowns and run for another as they topped Dallas 31-24 in front of the home crowd.
All-Time record vs the East 97-81-4: Although the East may be one of the most successful divisions in terms of winning super bowls, the Bears have done a phenomenal job holding their own against all four teams. Even with a losing record against two of those teams, their success against the other two has given them nearly 100 wins against that division. That success was on display once again in 2019, as the Bears went 3-1 against the NFC East last go around.
