The Chicago Bears enter the 2026 season with high expectations and an incredibly tough schedule to run through.
Last week, the NFL released the schedule, and the Bears fans got a first look at how tough it truly was going to be. There are some favorable aspects of the schedule, like the fact that they don't travel as far and have some help, but there are stretches in the season when they will be tested early.
Bears fans expect this team to make a run at a Super Bowl this year, but it will first have to survive the regular season. Here's a look at how the 2026 season should finish for the Bears with final predictions.
Chicago Bears' 2026 schedule predictions
Week 1 at Carolina Panthers
This is a solid way to open the season for the Bears as they take on a Panthers team that looks good on paper but still finished 8-9 last year. Bears head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams have a chance to make a strong opening statement with a strong offensive performance to start the campaign.
Prediction: Bears 34, Panthers 16 (1-0)
Week 2 vs. Minnesota Vikings
The first divisional matchup of the season, and it's against the team that gave them their first loss of the season. Chicago scored a game-winning field goal the last time these two teams met, and it could be another one that defines this game.
Prediction: Bears 17, Vikings 16 (2-0)
Week 3 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (MNF)
This could easily be a battle of two undefeated teams on Monday Night Football. It's going to be another game decided by a field goal, but the Eagles are going to make things very interesting. Ultimately, the edge goes to the home team with the hot hand.
Prediction: Bears 23, Eagles 20 (3-0)
Week 4 vs. New York Jets
It's the New York Jets. Does any further analysis need to be added to this one?
Prediction: Bears 42, Jets 10 (4-0)
Week 5 at Green Bay Packers
Here is where things could get very tough for the Bears as they face the Packers for the first time this season. These are not going to be easy games, and Green Bay is coming back more motivated than ever to beat them in front of the home crowd. It would be a surprise to see the Bears sweep the Packers, so the home team gets the advantage, and Chicago gets handed their first loss of the year.
Prediction: Packers 27, Bears 20 (4-1)
Week 6 at Atlanta Falcons
This is a trap game that the Bears should be very careful about. Coming off a tough emotional loss in Green Bay, Chicago is on the road and might not be at the level they should be at, so an upset might be brewing in this one as the Falcons take advantage of the Bears being off their game. It might not be the one prediction Bears fans want to hear, but there's always a game a team shouldn't lose that they do, so let's get it out of the way.
Prediction: Falcons 23, Bears 16 (4-2)
Week 7 vs. New England Patriots (TNF)
Now the Bears fans know what happens when the team has its back against the wall and know how they typically respond. They got the defending AFC champs on a short week, playing in Chicago. This is one where the Bears can prove themselves as an elite team with a stellar performance.
Prediction: Bears 26, Patriots 20 (5-2)
Week 8 at Seattle Seahawks (MNF)
Yes, the Bears will have a long prep time for the Seahawks, since it's on Monday night, but they have to travel across the country to Seattle to play the defending Super Bowl champions. That Seahawks defense is so good, so the home team will get the advantage in this one as well.
Prediction: Seahawks 18, Bears 13 (5-3)
Week 9 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (SNF)
It's a short week, but the Bears are motivated heading into the bye week to end the first part of the season on a good note, and they will have a chance to do so against a Buccaneers team that might not be as good as they were in the last few years. Williams will put on a show and solidify himself as a top 10 quarterback in this one.
Prediction: Bears 31, Buccaneers 20 (6-3)
Week 11 at New Orleans Saints
Coming off the bye, the Bears took care of business against the Saints last year, and despite New Orleans being a better team in 2026, Chicago is still a superior team. Watch for the defense to replicate what they did last year and put on a show.
Prediction: Bears 28, Saints 14 (7-3)
Week 12 at Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving)
Bears fans were traumatized by the last Thanksgiving game their team played, with a disastrous game-management job by former head coach Matt Eberflus that led to a loss, but hey, that led to his firing and the eventual hiring of Johnson, so it was a blessing in disguise. This time around, things should be different, as Johnson is seeking revenge after losing to the Lions both times last year. Chicago gets the job done in a big way.
Prediction: Bears 30, Lions 28 (8-3)
Week 13 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville doesn't feel like it got any better in the offseason, but it should still be a competitive team. Williams and company should still have a good day against this defense, so the Bears should walk off Soldier Field as winners.
Prediction: Bears 28, Jaguars 18 (9-3)
Week 14 at Miami Dolphins
Stealing the same line as the Jets prediction: It's the Miami Dolphins. Does any further analysis need to be added to this one? Fine, former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is now the Dolphins' head coach, and former Packers quarterback Malik Willis is now in Miami, but that's about the only noteworthy thing about this game.
Prediction: Bears 35, Dolphins 7 (10-3)
Week 15 at Buffalo Bills (Saturday)
It's a short week, and the Bears have to travel to Buffalo to face an always good Bills team led by former MVP quarterback Josh Allen. The good news is the Bears are at least playing them in a dome stadium, but the Bills are at home, so this might be one where Chicago ends up dropping.
Prediction: Bills 26, Bears 21 (10-4)
Week 16 vs. Green Bay Packers (Christmas)
It's Christmas, and the Bears are motivated to take down a team they hate more than anyone in the league. This is also the start of a tough three-game stretch against the NFC North. Chicago wants this one badly in front of the home crowd, and they will get it.
Prediction: Bears 27, Packers 23 (11-4)
Week 17 vs. Detroit Lions
The Bears are riding high off the Packers game on a long week and are ready to take control of the NFC North. Remember that the Lions have the easiest schedule in the NFL, so they could be in first place in the division at this point, and the Bears lost their Week 17 game last year to the San Francisco 49ers. Here's one where the Lions pull off the win, and Chicago has its back against the wall going into the final week of the season.
Prediction: Lions 28, Bears 21 (11-5)
Week 18 at Minnesota Vikings (TBD)
Chicago won't end their regular season like it did last year on a losing streak; it'll go to Minneapolis and take care of business. Depending on how the Lions and Packers finish their season, it might be the deciding factor in the division.
Prediction: Bears 30, Vikings 21 (12-5)
Read more: One Luther Burden stat shows the potential Bears' lethal weapon has for 2026
Final 2026 prediction: Bears finish 12-5, first in NFC North, second or third seed in NFC playoffs
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