NFL teams begin every season with the same ultimate goal: win the Super Bowl. But in order to achieve that objective, they first have to make the playoffs.

The Chicago Bears got the first part of the equation in 2018 after finishing 12-4 and winning the NFC North. And but for a kicker who had an infatuation with the uprights, the Bears’ season may have lasted beyond just the wild card round.

The bitter end to 2018 should have Chicago chomping at the bit to get their 2019 campaign underway. But the playoffs aren’t a given; parity in the NFL is very real and teams that make it one year often fail to qualify the next.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Bears shouldn’t be one of those teams.

The Bears were a year ahead of schedule last season, dominating the NFC North and nearly earning a first-round bye. In many ways, I expect them to be a better football team this season, as Mitchell Trubisky should have a far firmer grasp of the offense, while young studs on defense can and will make a leap (imagine how good Roquan Smith will be).

Anything less than a playoff birth in 2019 will be a massive disappointment for Matt Nagy and the Bears. In fact, at least one playoff win is expected by the fanbase. With a defense as dominant as Chicago’s and an offense trending in the right direction, there’s no reason to expect anything less.

The Bears kick off 2019 on Thursday, Sept. 5 at home against the Packers on national television in the NFL’s 100th anniversary opening night.