The Steelers have historically struggled in matchups with the Bears.

The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football in Week 9. Despite being a struggling franchise for close to 40 years, the Bears are one of the few organizations to have a firm grasp on the all-time series between themselves and the Pittsburgh Steelers. For whatever reason they’ve just had the Steelers’ number. But that isn’t the only piece of history the Steelers are up against this weekend, below are the three main historical story lines the Steelers face when they take on the Bears.

Steelers struggles against the Bears

19-7-1 is the all-time series lead in the Bears’ favor. This includes three straight victories over the Steelers, meaning Mike Tomlin has never actually defeated this franchise in his coaching tenure. The last time the Steelers knocked off the Chicago Bears was the ‘04-’05 Super Bowl winning team 17 years ago. In that game you will remember Jerome Bettis running over Brian Urlacher to seal the game in the snow at Heinz Field. Since then, the Steelers have lost to some pretty terrible Bears teams in matchups the Steelers should’ve always won. On Monday night the Steelers will end up being heavy favorites, but can they right the ship and reverse the curse when they take on this Bears team that just continues to have their number?

Steelers shine on primetime

Thankfully for the Pittsburgh Steelers this game is still a prime time match up. Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin typically overwhelm opponents when the lights are brightest, hopefully this will be enough, combined with the game taking place at Heinz Field, for the Steelers to down these Bears. When the whole world is watching the Steelers play their best football, and they will have to do it again if they want to avoid an embarrassing receipt and keep pace in the AFC Playoff race.

Steelers defense feasts on rookie quarterbacks

One other very positive thing for the Pittsburgh Steelers is the Bears are starting rookie first round pick Justin fields. The Steelers have typically made life miserable for rookie quarterbacks, and usually send so much heat at these signal callers they crumble under the pressure. Think of Joe Burrow last year in the lone matchup he had against the Steelers, and how he was running for his life all night long. If the Steelers can repeat that performance against their first rookie quarterback of the year, they should have no problems walking to victory.

But what do you think? Do you believe in any of these ‘curses’ or ‘trends’? let us know your thoughts in the comments below.