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Chicago Bears Have Evenly Spread 2016 Schedule

By Clyde A. Speller

Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox high-fives Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) after his touchdown pass to Chicago Bears wide receiver Josh Bellamy (11) against the Detroit Lions in the second half of their game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox high-fives Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) after his touchdown pass to Chicago Bears wide receiver Josh Bellamy (11) against the Detroit Lions in the second half of their game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2016 NFL schedule has finally come out, and for the Chicago Bears, things appear to be not as bad as many might have thought. After a 6-10 year in 2015, the Bears can actually improve against a schedule that features only six games against teams that made the postseason last year. However, four of those games will be against the NFC North rivals Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, both of which Chicago will play twice each.

Overall, the 2015 winning percentage of the Bears’ opponents is .461, giving them a tie for the second-easiest schedule in 2016. Another thing that works in Chicago’s favor is the fact that they have their bye week smack dab in the middle of the season during Week 9. With their bye week being the midpoint of their season, it is easy to analyze the first and second half of the Bears’ schedule.

Both parts of the year are very symmetrical. They have four home games and four road games in both parts. Chicago will also play the same number of teams that made the 2015 playoffs in both halves. And last, but not least, each half will feature one game against each NFC North rival. Each half of this schedule have a lot of similarities, but both show different hurdles the Bears must get over.

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In the first stanza of their season, Chicago will have four primetime games (Weeks 2 and 3, and Weeks 7 and 8). The last two could possibly be the most vital of their first eight games of the year. The Bears will have to travel to Green Bay on a Thursday night to face the Packers, which means that they will have a very short week of preparation after facing the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6. Then they will have to face the Vikings on Halloween night on a Monday. Both divisional games could quickly make or break the Bears’ chances of contending for the NFC North crown.

During the second half of the year, seven of Chicago’s last eight games are against NFC teams. In the event that the Bears are not in the hunt to win their division, beating these other NFC teams could be the difference in sneaking into the postseason as a wildcard.

Seeing that this schedule doesn’t seem to be lopsided, the Bears could actually have a chance at improving on their 6-10 record from last season. At worst, I see them going 8-8. Of course, I’m saying this prior to the 2016 NFL Draft. The new additions that will be added to the roster in the very near future could definitely change the way I see the Bears against this schedule that appears to be extremely friendly.

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