As the Chicago Bears prepare for their Week 4 matchup on October 3, 2026, the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk takes a look back at some of the most memorable Week 4 performances in franchise history. From record-setting returns to six-touchdown explosions, these games remind us why the Bears remain one of the NFL's most storied franchises.
1986: Bears Demolish Bengals 44-7
Coming off a dominant 1985 season, the 1986 Bears showed no signs of slowing down in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Led by a banged-up Jim McMahon, Chicago exploded for 21 first-quarter points. McMahon rushed for a touchdown and threw scoring passes to Walter Payton and Willie Gault. He added another touchdown pass to Emery Moorehead in the second half, finishing with 211 yards and three scores. Gault was unstoppable, racking up 174 receiving yards as the Bears piled up 476 total yards and 222 on the ground. The defense intercepted Boomer Esiason four times and forced five turnovers overall, cruising to a 44-7 blowout. The win moved the defending champions to 4-0, and according to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, it looked like the rest of the NFL might once again be playing for second place.
2011: Forte Runs Wild, Hester Makes History
In Week 4 of the 2011 season, the Bears needed a win to avoid falling to 1-3. Matt Forte and Devin Hester delivered. Forte gashed the Carolina Panthers for a career-high 205 rushing yards, including a 46-yard run on the opening drive and a 17-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He added 23 receiving yards, accounting for 228 of Chicago's 317 total yards. But the highlight came from Hester, who returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown—the 11th punt return score of his career, setting a new NFL record. The defense chipped in with D.J. Moore returning a Cam Newton interception 20 yards for a touchdown. Carolina racked up a franchise-record 543 yards, but the Bears' big plays on defense and special teams secured a 34-29 victory. As highlighted on Vulius, it was a classic Bears win: run the ball, steal a score on defense, and let Hester do his thing.
2018: Trubisky Torches Buccaneers with 6 TDs
Mitchell Trubisky's 2018 Week 4 performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a coming-out party. After a slow start to the season, Trubisky exploded for five first-half touchdown passes—a Bears record—and finished with six scores, 354 yards, and a 154.6 passer rating. Tarik Cohen added 121 receiving yards as Chicago built a 38-3 halftime lead. The defense, led by Khalil Mack's fourth straight game with a strip-sack, forced three turnovers and sacked Tampa Bay quarterbacks four times. The 48-10 rout moved the Bears to 3-1 and gave fans a glimpse of what Matt Nagy's offense could become. Trubisky's six touchdown passes were one shy of Sid Luckman's franchise record set in 1943. For one afternoon at Soldier Field, Trubisky looked unstoppable.
Looking Ahead
As the 2026 Bears prepare for their Week 4 game, these flashbacks serve as a reminder of the franchise's rich history. Whether it's a dominant defensive performance, a record-setting return, or a quarterback catching fire, Week 4 has often brought out the best in the Monsters of the Midway. For more NFL history and analysis, stay tuned to Vulius.
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