Even with the official reveal still hours away, the
Chicago Bears 2021 schedule is known thanks to multiple leaks. Though people knew the slate of opponents, it wasn't entirely clear how they would stack up in the first 17-game
season in NFL history. Make no mistake. It's going to be difficult either way. Analysts believe the Bears have the third-toughest schedule in the league on paper.
Everything depends on where the bye week is and where the few "soft" spots in the slate might be. Not to mention the ongoing uncertainty around a certain quarterback up north. So it's time. Let us take a look at the entire slate, provide some brief backdrops for every matchup and of course make a final prediction on how the season will play out.
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Chicago Bears 2021 schedule will be tough to navigate
Week 1 at Los Angeles Rams
It wasn't pretty the last time the Bears visited L.A. where the Rams defense smothered them for just 10 points and destroyed their offensive line. Things have changed since then. The Rams lost their defensive coordinator to a head coaching job and one of their best players to free agency in John Johnson. At the same time, they also secured an upgrade at quarterback in Matthew Stafford. This is a tough opening test.
Result: Loss
Week 2 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
It'll be Year 2 of the Joe Burrow era. While he still has a bright career ahead of him, it's important to remember he's also coming off a torn ACL. So the Bears may actually be catching him early before he is completely healed. Throw in the fact they still have problems to fix on defense and this is a team in the process of rebuilding. With it happening at Soldier Field and Andy Dalton likely eager for a little revenge? They should be able to get their first victory.
Result: Win
Week 3 at Cleveland Browns
It truly feels like the Browns are at the apex of their rebuilding efforts. They have a young quarterback in Baker Mayfield coming into his own. He's surrounded by weaponry and their defense showed signs of improvement as well. This has the look of a team ready to compete for a Super Bowl. That doesn't mean they're perfect. Still, it feels like this will be a game where the Bears are reminded they have a few too many deficiencies holding them back.
Result: Loss
Week 4 vs. Detroit Lions
It's hard to forget the brutal way the Bears coughed up the last game at Soldier Field up against the Lions. So one can imagine they'll be intent on making a statement in this one. Detroit has a completely new look this year headlined by quarterback Jared Goff. Not nearly as intimidating as Stafford was for so many years. When comparing rosters head to head? Chicago has a clear edge. Barring a total meltdown, this is a game the Bears can and should take handily.
Result: Win
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQpwozXDugo&t=1s&ab_channel=NFLNFLVerified
Week 5 at Las Vegas Raiders
One can bet plenty of the veterans on this Chicago Bears team haven't forgotten that game in London two years ago against the Raiders. A game they had won and let slip away. They are sure to be motivated for some revenge here. What makes it even more promising is how Vegas seemed to practically gut their entire offensive line. Combine that with a defense that remains unproven and this is a game Chicago is well-equipped to take.
Result: Win
Week 6 vs. Green Bay Packers
These games are going to be insanely difficult to predict because of one reason. Will Aaron Rodgers
play? If he does, then the Bears' odds of claiming a win will drop significantly. Yet based on the latest information it doesn't sound like he is anxious to return. Presuming this holds, then Chicago will be facing Jordan Love instead. Considering the lukewarm buzz around him since the Packers drafted him, this could be a prime opportunity for the Bears to claim some long-overdue vengeance on their longtime rivals.
Result: Win
Week 7 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady never forgets. Keep this in mind. He'll have a sharp memory of what happened last year in Chicago when the Bears stole a win from him. Now he'll get them at home in Tampa Bay facing a defense that isn't quite as good as it was last year. This has the look of a game that could get out of hand early unless the defense is up to the challenge and can give the offense enough time to weather the early assault by that aggressive Bucs defense.
Result: Loss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etYOBfe6dNA&ab_channel=NFLNFLVerified
Week 8 vs. San Francisco 49ers
So which 49ers team is going to show up this year? The one that went to the Super Bowl in 2019 or the one that limped to 6-10 this past season? A lot of that depends on health. Several of their key players are coming back from major injuries. They also have a QB situation to sort out. Will their defense be the same without Robert Saleh at the helm? This doesn't feel like a team that should be feared. With the Bears having homefield, they can take this one.
Result: Win
Week 9 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers went 12-4 last year. So that makes them a tough opponent. How tough though? One must not forget they finished 2020 with a 1-5 slide including their shocking playoff defeat against Cleveland. It felt like quarterback Ben Roethlisberger really began to show signs of his age. Still, they have a talented roster around him and a top 5 defense. This has all the trappings of a classic blue collar slugfest.
Result: Win
Week 10 - BYE
Week 11 - vs. Baltimore Ravens
This could be a pivot point of the Chicago Bears 2021 schedule. Playing against Lamar Jackson is always a chore. His speed is at a level most defenses aren't capable of containing. Baltimore also wisely spent their offseason improving his arsenal of weapons including 1st round pick Rashod Bateman. Is the Bears defense up to the task of trying to contain him? Getting Eddie Goldman back to help stop the run will be critical but this has the look of a game where Jackson will run them out of gas late.
Result: Loss
Week 12 at Detroit Lions
Bears-Lions on Thanksgiving is becoming an annual tradition at this point. The NFL just loves scheduling it. Probably because the games always seem to produce something wacky. Chicago has owned them at Ford Field the past three years, beating them in thrilling fashion every time. Divisional games are always unpredictable though. Things happen. If the Bears play up to their ability and aren't ravaged by injuries? This game should be theirs for a season sweep.
Result: Win
Week 13 vs. Arizona Cardinals
A lot of people seem to remain optimistic about the Cardinals even though they still haven't made the playoffs in the Kliff Kingsbury era. Did their roster improve a lot this offseason? That depends on who you ask. In the end, it still boils down to the ebbs and flows of Kyler Murray. For all the great things he can do as a runner and that live arm, he still has weaknesses. Chicago will have to put pressure on him both on the field and on the scoreboard. Protecting Dalton or Justin Fields against that strong pass rush will be vital.
Result: Win
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGGjl_pfpr8&ab_channel=Ho%C3%A0ngT%E1%BB%AD2KHo%C3%A0ngT%E1%BB%AD2KVerified
Week 14 at Green Bay Packers
Could the Bears actually pull off a season sweep of their hated rivals for the first time since 2007? Again, it all depends on if Rodgers is playing or not. Even so, Green Bay has a good enough team to where they deserve some respect. They can run the ball and have a defense capable of forcing turnovers. Chicago always seems to bring out their worst against the Packers. This probably ends up being one such game.
Result: Loss
Week 15 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Getting the Vikings this late in the season could work to the Chicago Bears' advantage. It will be December and the cold weather might play a huge factor. Dome teams always tend to struggle in it. The Bears beat them in Minnesota last year and should've beaten them in Chicago as well. Though a talented team, the Vikings aren't one that comes across as intimidating. They are beatable and this veteran group knows it.
Result: Win
Week 16 at Seattle Seahawks
Failing to land Russell Wilson was a hot topic for almost a month this offseason. Something the Bears probably didn't expect to be a thing. So naturally, they get to play against him instead. That team is always a tough opponent with him under center and should have crowd noise back on their side in that unforgiving stadium up in Seattle. Much of this will depend on if the pass rush can keep Wilson uncomfortable and the offense can score points. Consider this one of those tough losses they'll likely endure.
Result: Loss
Week 17 vs. New York Giants
Want to talk about a regime that is under a ton of pressure to win in 2021? Look at the Giants. Daniel Jones enters the pivotal third year of his development in New York and is coming off a rough finish to last season. He'll have a lot more weaponry this time thanks to the arrivals of Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney. This could prove to be a tougher game than people think. In the end, the Bears find a way at home.
Result: Win
Week 18 at Minnesota Vikings
The Chicago Bears 2021 schedule concludes in the same way several others have. Historically the Vikings have often frustrated the Bears in Minnesota. The two sides have traded wins there the past couple of years. So going back trends? This one looks like it'll be set up for the Vikings to prevail. They'll most likely be scrambling for a playoff spot and desperate to avenge their home loss to Chicago last year that ended their 2020 season. Such is how this rivalry always seems to go.
Result: Loss
Final record: 10-7
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