(All times Central)

Week 1 – Sept 12 – 12 Noon
Detroit Lions

Week 2 – Sept 19 – 12 Noon
@Dallas Cowboys

Week 3 – Sept 27 – 7:30 PM
Green Bay Packers (Monday Night Football

Week 4 – Oct 3 – 7:20 PM
@New York Giants ( Sunday Night Football)

Week 5 – Oct 10 – 12 Noon
@Carolina Panthers

Week 6 – Oct 17 – 12 Noon
Seattle Seahawks

Week 7 – Oct 24 – 12 Noon
Washington Redskins

Week 8 – Oct 31 – BYE

Week 9 – Nov 7 – 12 Noon
@Buffalo Bills (in Toronto)

Week 10 – Nov 14 – 12 Noon
Minnesota Vikings

Week 11 – Nov 18 – 7:20
@ Miami Dolphins(Thursday Night Football)

Week 12 – Nov 28 – 12 Noon
Philadelphia Eagles

Week 13 – Dec 5 – 12 Noon
@Detroit Lions

Week 14 – Dec 12 – 12 Noon
New England Patriots

Week 15 – Dec 20 – 7:30 PM
@ Minnesota Vikings (Monday Night Football)

Week 16 – Dec 26 – 12 Noon
New York Jets

Week 17 – Jan 2 – 12 Noon
@Green Bay Packers

So there it is.  Four prime time dates including a couple of Monday nighters and a Thursday night date in Miami.  Lots more analysis, but wanted to get this out ASAP.

Even though their strength of schedule ranks in the middle of the pack, the Bears face a challenging array of opponents.  To break it down, I rank the games from 16 (easiest) to 1 (hardest).

16. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are in rebuilding mode under Pete Carroll and Jay Cutler’s OC  man-crush Jeremy Bates.  Neither helps the “She-hawks” past the Bears.

15. Detroit Lions

Normally the easiest game on the Bears’ schedule is reserved for the home date with the Lions, but I really think they’re going to improve this season.  The Lions have improved along the defensive line and some high draft picks along with another year of experience for promising QB Matthew Stafford.

14. @ Buffalo Bills

Road games are never easy, but the Bills will not be good this year, plain and simple.  Lots of rumors swirling that this game could be played in Toronto, which wouldn’t even really make it a “home game” for the Bills.  Bears in Canada; gimme a break!

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