The NFL’s official awards Tarik Cohen Color Rush Jersey , as determined by the , don’t include one specific prize. For decades, has handed out the unofficially official (or officially unofficial) Executive of the Year award, and it’s the one that has become most recognized as the honor for the G.M. or other non-coach who did the most to shape a team’s fortunes.The 2018 Executive of the Year is Bears G.M. Ryan Pace. And for very good reason.Pace, after the firing of coach John Fox, hired Matt Nagy, a first-time head coach who came from the Chiefs’ system. After the dust settled on the new-look coaching staff, Pace signed receiver Allen Robinson II, receiver Taylor Gabriel, and tight end Trey Burton early in free agency, and Pace next found a way to retain cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/James-Daniels-Jersey , matching as to Fuller an offer sheet he had signed with the Packers.Pace next drafted multiple players who would thrive immediately in the league: first-round linebacker Roquan Smith, second-round offensive lineman James Daniels, second-round receiver Anthony Miller, and fifth-round defensive lineman Bilal Nichols. Smith, despite a lengthy holdout, registered the most tackles by a Bears rookie in team history, with 122.Then came the trade that vaulted the Bears into immediate contention. The trade that brought one of the best defensive players to the NFC North, when Chicago managed to get defensive end Khalil Mack from the Raiders.The Bears won 12 regular-season games, and sent eight players to the Pro Bowl. The award for Pace matches the Coach of the Year honors previously won by Nagy, giving the Bears a formidable duo that could keep them in contention for years to come. The accepted mantra throughout the NFL that stretches to its fandom is that each game in the schedule is equally important.Then we get to late November and all of December and forget that bromide.It’s happening again, and there’s nothing wrong with it.Think about how huge Kansas City’s stunning win at New England to kick off the season seemed to be. Doesn’t look so momentous right now with the Chiefs nose-diving in the AFC West while the Patriots do their usual tsunami over the AFC East.The league and many of the pundits who follow it couldn’t find enough hyperbole for the first Sunday nighter Aaron Lynch Jersey , the Giants at Dallas.Well, the Giants are in range for a top-three draft choice — and just benched Eli Manning, if you can imagine — and the Cowboys are plummeting out of contention.So while there are games throughout September and October, it’s not until Thanksgiving hits that we can truly define what the BIG games are.And beginning last week, they’ve arrived.The Vikings are involved in a bunch of them, even though coach Mike Zimmer keeps espousing the company line.“Go out and win as many games as you can and try to get in (the playoffs) and play as many games as you can at home,” Zimmer says. “But we have to win and we have to take one game at a time. Talking about it doesn’t do anything.”Actually, talking about it is all kinds of fun. So here are the games that should really matter and are worth getting excited about through Christmas.WEEK 13Carolina at New Orleans; Minnesota at Atlanta; Philadelphia at Seattle; Detroit at Baltimore.Mostly NFC matchups; the conference has been the far more interesting, with a slew of top teams as opposed to the top-heavy AFC (New England, Pittsburgh).The NFC South, clearly the best division in football Kevin White Color Rush Jersey , gets the spotlight in the Big Easy and the ATL. The Panthers-Saints game is for the lead in that sector and matches a pair of squads showing the kind of balance that works deep into January. For once, this isn’t just about Cam Newton and Drew Brees, but about the running games and the defenses.“We know what is at stake,” Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn says. “We took it personal last time because they beat us in our house. We have a chance to play them in their house and take the lead in our division. I’m back this week and I’m excited.”Atlanta is showing signs of finding its 2016 form, and will be severely tested by Minnesota’s marvelous defense. Watch for how Falcons star receiver Julio Jones and Vikings under-the-radar pass catcher Adam Thielen perform. Both are on fire.While the Seahawks are banged-up, penalty-riddled and not-so fearsome at home anymore, the Eagles can take another major step atop the conference.Both the Lions and Ravens have wild-card aspirations and can’t afford a stumble.WEEK 14New Orleans at Atlanta; Minnesota at Carolina; Seattle at Jacksonville; Oakland at Kansas City; Philadelphia at Los Angeles Rams; Baltimore at Pittsburgh.WOW!The nastiest rivalry in the NFL, Ravens-Steelers, in the Sunday night game, possibly Baltimore’s last chance to make any headway in the AFC North. Another road go-round for the Vikings in the NFC South, where that division’s most-heated rivalry has the Saints at the Falcons. We’ll know a whole lot more about that sector after these games — and perhaps a whole lot more about how strong the Vikings are.While both the Raiders and Chiefs have hit mediocrity https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Riley-Ridley-Jersey , their matchups always are noteworthy for intensity. AFC South leadership will still be in question.The Seahawks and Jaguars both will need this game, whether for division title hopes or wild-card chances. And the Eagles are staying out west after the Seattle contest for a matchup of the top two selections in the 2016 draft: No. 1 Jared Goff vs. No. 2 Carson Wentz.Week 15New England at Pittsburgh; Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City; Los Angeles Rams at Seattle.Very possible division deciders in KC and Seattle. Plus, by far, the AFC’s most intriguing confrontation, most likely with home-field advantage for the conference championship game on the line.Week 16Minnesota at Green Bay; Atlanta at New Orleans; Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee.OK, the Vikings probably will be playoff-bound and the Packers won’t, but hopefully we’ll get a glimpse of Aaron Rodgers again, back from his broken collarbone.Falcons-Saints for the second time in three weeks, with lots on the line. And maybe a playoff-relevant home contest for the Titans against a Rams team headed to the postseason.And these don’t even consider the final weekend of all divisional matchups.