An Optimistic Look at the 2017 Chicago Bears Schedule

The Chicago Bears recently received their schedule and many were immediately pessimistic. There is a case, however, for optimism, and a realistic possibility of a winning season.

Week 1- Sept 10 Falcons at Bears (11-5)

Starting the season against a Super Bowl team is a good idea if self-evaluation is the point. It’s a bad idea if winning is the key. There will likely be several new starters for the Chicago Bears, and three will be in the secondary (e.g. Prince Amukamara, Marcus Cooper, Quentin Demps). That is not the desired situation against an explosive offense that features one of the best QBs in the league, and perhaps the best WR in the league. Bears lose in the opener, but show some spirit.

Record: 0-1

Week 2- Sept 17 Bears at Bucs (9-7)

Last year the Bucs had nearly fifteen more minutes time of possession, and crushed the Bears 36-10. If not for a lucky Hail Mary at the end of the first half, it would have been worse.

It started with Chris Conte scoring the first TD of his NFL career, despite the fact he undoubtedly took several bad angles during the game. It ended with the Bears looking rather pathetic in a game many thought they could win. Last year was a perfect storm. Aside from the turnovers, there were critical penalties, and the Bucs were 100% on passes over 15 yards. It’s unlikely the Bears have four turnovers, lose the time of possession so massively, and Chris Conte scores again. The Chicago Bears get their revenge and cause three Jameis Winston turnovers.

Record: 1-1

Week 3- Sept 24 Steelers at Bears (11-5)

The Steelers boast an offense and defense that are near or in the NFL’s top ten. The have a three-headed monster in Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown. They average nearly 25 points per game. Combine all that with an offensive line that only allowed 17 sacks on Big Ben last year, and it’s unlikely the Bears can win. The Chicago Bears, if healthy, can probably minimize the potency of Pittsburgh’s offense, but it’s unlikely the Bears stop them.

Record: 1-2

Nov 9, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) looks on before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 4- Sept 28 at Packers (10-6) THU

The Packers have dominated the Bears of late. There is no denying that. Since 2009 (i.e. the Jay Cutler era), the Bears are 3-14 in the regular season against the Packers. So which games have the Bears won? That answer is Monday night 2010, Monday night 2013 and Thursday night 2015.

Somehow the Bears manage to pull out a win in prime-time once again. Look for a ball control game with a heavy dose of Jordan Howard.

Bears’ fans nationwide drink Old Style-flavored Packer tears.

Record: 2-2

Week 5- Oct. 9 Vikings (8-8) MNF

The Bears seemingly always split with the Vikings. In the last twenty games, there has been a single point different overall. This year will be no different. A home game advantage will mean the Bears are hyped, and the Vikings are moderately deflated. With the extra days to prepare for the game, the Bears will definitely have an advantage in this one. Look for one big play from Jordan Howard, and one bonehead throw from Sam Bradford. Bears win.

Record: 3-2

Week 6- Oct. 15 Bears at Ravens (8-8)

Oct 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is sacked by Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman (91) in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

Don’t let Baltimore fool you. They are questionable. The Ravens barely beat Cleveland and Jacksonville last year and took advantage of a weak schedule. Their eight wins were against a combined win percentage of 36%. And if their fluke win against Pittsburgh is removed, the percentage drops to 31%.

When Eddie Goldman and Pernell McPhee return from injuries, the Bears will stop the run better. Look for them to stifle the Ravens’ run game and force Joe Flacco to throw (scaring nobody).

Bear Down! Chicago gets the win.

Record: 4-2

Apr 14, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Glennon delivers the first pitch before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 7- Oct. 22 Panthers at Bears (6-10)

What makes the Panthers scary is Cam Newton’s ability to scramble. He had career lows, however, in rushes, yards, and rushing TDs last year. He also regressed towards the mean in terms of his TDs, dropping from 35 passing TDs in 2015 to only 19 last year. Last but not least, in 2016 he threw the most interceptions since his rookie year. If Newton is not the scary player he once was, then the Panthers aren’t a formidable offense. Their starting RB is 30 this year, which doesn’t bode well, and that makes them one-dimensional on offense.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, their defense is atrocious. Their passing defense is one of the worst in the league. There were two games last year where they gave up nearly 500 yards passing. Mark this game down as the one people start saying, “You know, Mike Glennon could be the QB of the future!”

Record: 5-2

Week 8- Oct. 29 Bears at Saints (7-9)

One of the teams that torched the Panthers’ defense is naturally the Saints. Other than a two-game stretch where Drew Brees threw six interceptions against the Lions and Buccaneers, the Saints pretty much had an unstoppable offense. Five of their losses were to playoff teams. The Saints scored nearly 200 more points than the Bears last year, and it’s highly unlikely the Bears will be able to keep up with that type of offensive firepower…especially now that they signed Adrian Peterson.

It’s a disappointing loss, but just about anyone would take this record into the bye week.

Record: 5-3

Week 10- Nov. 12 Packers at Bears (10-6)

Oct 20, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/The Post-Crescent via USA TODAY Sports /

Unfortunately for the Bears and their fans, there hasn’t been a Green Bay sweep in over ten years. With recent history being what it is, and the early season upset, it doesn’t matter the Bears got an extra week to prepare for the Packers. A split with the Packers is better than getting swept.

Record: 5-4

Week 11- Nov. 19 Lions at Bears (9-7)

Remember last year when the Bears, with a full complement of starting receivers, walked up and down Soldier Field on the Lions’ defense on the way to a home victory? Remember how the later game at Ford Field was lost in the last few minutes, despite relying heavily on a receiving corps that included Daniel Brown, Josh Bellamy, and Deonte Thompson?

Look for the Bears to march all over the Lions at home.

Record: 6-4

Week 12- Nov. 26 Bears at Eagles (7-9)

Last year when the Eagles played the Bears, Jordan Howard wasn’t the starting RB. That’s a huge piece of why the Bears loss. The Eagles rushed 14 more times and had the ball for a little over 12 minutes more than the Bears. With Howard replacing Jeremy Langford’s 2.5YPR, the Bears have the ball a little more and make it competitive.

If the Bears can avoid losing the turnover battle three to zip, they have a good shot at winning this one.

Record: 7-4

Week 13- Dec. 3 49ers at Bears (2-14)

This is a win. Period. The Niners are a mess. Their QBs are the guys the Chicago Bears didn’t want, and they had the worst defense in the NFL last year. The 2016 Chicago Bears, by all accounts one of the worst teams in franchise history, beat San Francisco by twenty.

Record: 8-4

Week 14- Dec. 10 Bears at Bengals (6-9-1)

The Bengals are a better team than people think. Six of their losses came to the Steelers (twice), Cowboys, Giants, Texans, and Patriots. They’re one of the better teams in the NFL in terms of turnovers. Add in their combination of Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard, and they’re a conservative, formidable team. If A. J. Green hadn’t been hurt at the end of the season, they likely make the playoffs.

The Bears lose a close game, with turnovers likely being the culprit.

Record: 8-5

Week 15- Dec. 16 Bears at Lions (9-7)

Chicago Bears /

Chicago Bears

Somewhere along the line, the Bears will lose a game because of a bonehead mistake. Why not make it the same as 2016, where the Bears’ offensive line made multiple critical mistakes and cost the team the win. Last year, Barkley made multiple huge throws and drove the team down the field, and each time the offensive line brought it right back. Not to mention they took the only catch by rookie Daniel Braverman off the record books.

The tackles are still a weak spot on the Bears, and they’ll hurt the team again.

Record: 8-6

Week 16- Dec. 24 Browns at Bears (1-15)

The Browns are the Browns. No matter what they do in the draft, they are going to be bad next year. Their free agent acquisitions were mediocre at best. Who really wants to go to Cleveland? It’s understandable when they’re considered the most inept franchise in the NFL, and nobody debates it. No matter how Chicago fans may bash the ownership or front office, there’s always the consolation of saying, “At least it’s not as bad as Cleveland.”

The Chicago Bears win big.

Record: 9-6

Week 17- Dec. 31 Bears at Vikings (8-8)

There is a good chance 2017 will end the same way as 2016, with a Bears loss at Minnesota. Unless the Bears are fighting for a playoff spot at this point, this game is a near certainty. At home versus the Bears, the Vikings have won the last five, eight of the last ten, and twelve of the last fifteen.

Record: 9-7

Have faith Bears’ fans. The 2017 season should be a wild ride, but the Bears have a good shot to be a sleeper. There were a ton of injuries last year, and the team mostly remained competitive. With a few breaks and improved play from newcomers, there is no reason the Bears can’t surprise.

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An Optimistic Look at the Chicago Bears’ 2017 Schedule

By Greg O'Shalae | Apr 26, 2017