Chicago Bears 2017: 5 Must-See Games This Season

CHICAGO, IL — During the early days of the NFL offseason, the biggest game Bears fans were looking forward to was when Chicago faced the team's former quarterback Jay Cutler. From the broadcast booth. Cutler was set to announce the Bears' home opener Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons for Fox, but that changed when the briefly "retired" quarterback was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a stopgap replacement for the injured Ryan Tannehill.

With no matchup against Miami this year and chances slim that the Bears will make the playoffs — or even post a winning record — fans now have to scour the 2017 schedule for the next big game of the season. Of course, the one game everyone is looking forward to is the one that isn't scheduled: rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky's first game as a starter.

Don't worry about doing all that work, though. Patch has gone through this year's schedule to select five must-see games. Plus, we make our best guess if Trubisky will be the starter in those matchups. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

But before checking out the must-see games, here's a look at what you need to know about the Bears' first game of the season:

2017 NFL SEASON OPENER

Chicago Bears vs. Atlanta Falcons

When: Noon Sunday, Sept. 10

Where: Soldier Field

TV | Radio | Streaming: Fox (WFLD-TV, Channel 32) | WBBM-AM (780), WCFS-FM (105.9), Sirius XM | NFL Game Pass

Ticket info: Go to Ticketmaster for available tickets, as well as tickets offered through its resale exchange.

5 Must-See Chicago Bears Games in 2017

WEEK 2

1. Sept. 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Why it's a must-see game: This is a make-or-break year for Bucs QB Jameis Winston, who could join the new group of elite quarterbacks poised to replace aging veterans like Ben Roethlisberger, Aaron Rodgers and, yes, even Tom Brady.

Will Trubisky start? No. Barring injury, Mike Glennon should be secure as the starter through at least the first two weeks of the season. But that doesn't mean he might not get the hook come the second half of this game.

WEEK 4

2. Sept. 28: at the Green Bay Packers

Why it's a must-see game: The ferocity of the Bears-Packers rivalry makes every game between the two teams an event no matter how good or bad they are. The first matchup of the year also will be the first of 10 Thursday night games the NFL will stream on Amazon Prime.

Will Trubisky start? No. If Trubisky does start this game, head coach John Fox either has tremendous confidence that his rookie quarterback can succeed against these division rivals, or he thinks failing in a nationally televised game will be a character builder.

WEEK 5

3. Oct. 9: vs. the Minnesota Vikings

Why it's a must-see game: Even after all these years, "Monday Night Football" games are still special, and the Bears have a history of classic contests during them. Especially in October. Five words: The Fridge scores a touchdown.

Will Trubisky start? Maybe. The Monday night stage made William Perry a national sensation in 1985, and it might be able to do the same for Trubisky more than three decades later. Although it's probably too early for him to roll out "Super Bowl Shuffle 2: 2017 Remix."

WEEK 7

4. Oct. 22: vs. the Carolina Panthers

Why it's a must-see game: Now that Cutler's gone, Bears fans need that player they love to hate. Panthers QB Cam Newton could fill that void.

Will Trubisky start? He should unless Glennon has been lighting it up. With a bye week in Week 9, this would give Trubisky an opportunity to get a couple starts under his belt before getting rest to make adjustments and get ready to face the Packers in Week 10.

WEEK 16

5. Dec. 24: vs. the Cleveland Browns

Why it's a must-see game: The optimistic fan could look at this game as a sure-fire win for Chicago on Christmas Eve. The pessimistic fan, however, could see this as potentially two rebuilding franchises looking for their first victory of the season. And the Bears fan probably wonders how the team is going to screw up this one and ruin Christmas.

Will Trubisky start? Yes. If you don't think your quarterback can hold his own against the Browns, you might be in the market for a new quarterback.

Photo via Patch archive

Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!

• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Check out the Events Calendar for what’s going on