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Falcons vs. Bears: A look at the series history going into 2026

The Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears enter their 2026 matchup with a closely contested series history, marked by shifts in dominance over the decades. Over 30 meetings, the Bears hold a narrow 16-14 edge, though the Falcons have shown flashes of competitiveness, particularly in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Atlanta went 5-2 against Chicago during that stretch, including back-to-back wins at the end of the 1960s and another pair of victories in the early 1980s, establishing a streak of dominance that lasted over a decade. That run ended abruptly in 1985, when the Bears—led by legendary coach Mike Ditka—crushed the Falcons 36-0, sparking a five-game winning streak and eight wins in nine matchups before Matt Ryan’s rookie season in 2008.

Chicago has since extended its recent advantage, winning four of the last six meetings, with the most recent encounter in December 2023 ending in a 37-18 Bears victory at Soldier Field, where Atlanta’s defense was overwhelmed and Arthur Smith was fired just one week later.

The 2023 clash was a microcosm of the Falcons’ struggles that season, as they trailed 14-0 in freezing conditions and never recovered, despite a late rally attempt by rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder. Ryan’s game-winning drive in 2008 remains the most memorable Falcons victory in this rivalry, while Ditka’s departure in 2023 left a void in an already uneven series.

With both teams now looking ahead to 2026, the stage is set for another chapter in a rivalry where neither side has ever fully broken away for long.

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