We have known who the Bears’ opponents will be in 2022 for a couple of months now, but on Thursday the full NFL schedule with dates and times was released. The Chicago Bears schedule is as follows:
Week 1: 49ers
Week 2: at GB SNF
Week 3: Texans
Week 4: at NYG
Week 5: at Vikings
Week 6: Commanders TNF
Week 7: at Patriots MNF
Week 8: at Cowboys
Week 9: Dolphins
Week 10: Lions
Week 11: at Falcons
Week 12: at Jets
Week 13: Packers
Week 14: BYE
Week 15: Eagles
Week 16: Bills
Week 17: at Lions
Week 18: Vikings
A look at how the Chicago Bears 2022 season could go
Based on opponent win percentage from 2021, the Chicago Bears have the eighth easiest schedule in the NFL in 2022, with their opponents having won 47% of their games last season. The Bears should be able to capitalize on some weaker teams on their schedule in 2022. Houston, Washington, at the Giants and at Atlanta are all games that should end up in the win column. The Bears have rosters that are on par with these four teams, if not better. No win is guaranteed in the NFL, but these four games are very winnable and should end up in the win column.
The next four games are very winnable too, but can go either way. These teams have improved a lot this offseason and will have a much better outlook in 2022. DET, MIN, MIA, and at NYJ are all winnable but will be competitive, as all four of these teams have gotten much better this offseason. Divisional games are always tough, no matter the location, so those two will be very competitive games on their 2022 slate.
The remaining games on the schedule are the Bears’ toughest games this season, and will require the Bears to play at top form with their opponents not having their best games as well. at GB, GB, BUF, at DAL, at DET, at MIN, at NE, PHI and SF are all tough games that will be hard for the Chicago Bears to win this season.
The Bears have some favorable stretches and some not so favorable stretches in their schedule this season as well. Weeks one through four is a good stretch for this team to get off to a hot start and get wins early. If they can win a tough game in Week 1 at Soldier Field versus San Francisco, I can see the Chicago Bears starting the first month of the season at 3-1.
Getting off to a hot start is key for any NFL team to build confidence in the season. If the Bears can have a good first month, that can set them up to exceed expectations in 2022. The Week 1 matchup is the biggest key because if they do not pull out the win versus the 49ers, they will likely start out the season 0-2.
The Bears have a second favorable month in their schedule from Week 9 through Week 12 — starting with the Dolphins at home and ending with the Jets on the road. This stretch has four very winnable games, and can give the Chicago Bears and their fan base a ton of confidence heading into their toughest stretch of games in 2022.
The Chicago Bears have their toughest stretch of their schedule at the end of the season — Week 13 thru Week 18. They also have their bye on Week 14, which will give the team extra rest for the last month, along with more time to prepare for the Eagles at home.
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In 2022, I could see the Bears ceiling at eight wins and their floor at four wins. The NFL has so many moving parts throughout a season, as injuries will play a huge role for all 32 teams, but, bearing health, the Bears will be an average team this season. This new regime has a lot more talent to add before competing for the Lombardi trophy, but the biggest goal this season should be developing the young talent and seeing progress throughout the entire season, specifically second year quarterback Justin Fields.