NEWSLETTER
Happy NFL schedule rollout day!
The league is planning to share its 2021 league schedule tonight. But as is tradition, dates will leak throughout the day. And because we can’t help ourselves, we’ll share them as they hit the wire.
BEARS AT RAMS, WEEK 1
It’s happening:
The Bears begin the 2021 season under the lights in PRIME TIME against the Rams.https://t.co/Z8EhP1ca0o
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) May 12, 2021
All my rowdy friends are here for the Sunday Night Football kickoff party.
It’s a fitting lid-lifter, as the Rams’ So-Fi Stadium will play host to this upcoming Super Bowl in February. And NBC will televise the game. It’s what those of us in this industry might refer to as synergy.
BEARS AT LIONS ON THANKSGIVING
Get your ovens, grills, and deep fryers ready.
Kneecaps and turkeys are about to be on the menu:
#Bears–#Lions on turkey day, per Bill https://t.co/0Ccv7ETwjM
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) May 12, 2021
The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions will square off on Thanksgiving for the third time in four years. And if you’ll recall, Chase Daniel and Mitchell Trubisky put that work on those Detroit cats to spoil their day. This will also mark the fifth time since 2014 in which Chicago has made a Turkey Day appearance. The Bears are 19-15-2 all-time on Thanksgiving, for whatever that is worth to you.
I suppose it’s never too early to start making Thanksgiving plans. But just know that, whenever you get around to it, the Bears figure to be part of your day in one way or another.
BEARS AT RAIDERS, OCTOBER 10
I’ve been selfishly looking forward to this date release for some time. And now, we have something to circle on our calendars:
I am guessing #Bears at Las Vegas is tops for a lot of fans with the schedule release.
I am told Chicago's first game against the #Raiders in Las Vegas will be October 10.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) May 12, 2021
This makes for the second Bears-Raiders showdown in three years. It’s an opportunity for Khalil Mack to exact revenge on Jon Gruden and some old friends after a dud of a performance when the teams played in London. Moreover, it’ll be a good time to show off the Raiders’ new stadium with what figures to be an expanded number of fans. Expect a good number of Bears backers making a trip west. Maybe I’ll lean on my childhood best friend to make the trek since that’s his birthday weekend.
BEARS AT SEAHAWKS, DECEMBER 26
After spending a chunk of the offseason thirsting for a Russell Wilson trade, Bears fans will see Wilson quarterback against their team late in December:
#Bears at #Seahawks slated for Dec. 26 from what I am told.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) May 12, 2021
By the way, I think we can put those trade talks to bed now. Then again, I’m curious to see how Wilson handles things in the locker room after treating it like he had one foot out the door during the winter and spring.
BEARS AT PACKERS, DECEMBER 12 (SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)
Death, taxes, and Bears-Packers playing a primetime game at Lambeau Field.
I’ve made one trip to Lambeau in my lifetime. And while I enjoyed everything but the outcome of that Week 1 contest in 2018, I’d like to experience a noon game on the frozen tundra. Maybe one day, I’ll get that opportunity. In the meantime, pencil in the Bears and Packers for a December 12 SNF tilt.
BEARS VS. VIKINGS, DECEMBER 20 (MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)
One year after a Bears-Vikings MNF showdown saw the end of the Nick Foles (as a starter) era in Chicago, another late-season primetime game between the long-time rivals in on the horizon. There could be so many different storylines in play here. In late December, we could be discussing a playoff push. Or perhaps looking out into a future where a GM in a lame-duck year is preparing for his final weeks. Same for a head coach who has just one year remaining on his contract after this season. Will Justin Fields be starting by now?
Speaking of which, this is an astute observation from Bill Zimmerman:
NFL ain't no dummy. #Bears national TV games are late in the season, better odds Justin Fields is playing.
Thanksgiving at #Lions
December 12th at #Packers (SNF)
December 20th vs #Vikings (MNF)— Bill Zimmerman (@ZimmermanSXM) May 12, 2021
BEARS AT STEELERS, MNF
Strike up the classic Hank Williams theme, because here comes another primetime affair:
Week 9, Steelers, MNF for the Bears
— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) May 12, 2021
It’ll be the Bears’ first game against the Steelers since 2017. You might remember that as the one in which Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen ran wild. Or it might be because you realize it’s the only win Mike Glennon recorded as a Bears starting quarterback. Nevertheless, it’s the first primetime game between Pittsburgh and Chicago since Jay Cutler truck-sticked a Steelers defender into the next week.
As it stands, we’re looking at four primetime games for the Bears in 2021. That’s … a bit unexpected. Then again, back-loading the primetime schedule suggests faith in network executives that Justin Fields might be slinging it later in the season.
GIANTS AT BEARS, JANUARY 2
Ring in the new year by watching the team that facilitated the Bears getting the opportunity to take Justin Fields with the 11th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft:
Also, from what I've heard, the Giants' final month of the season looks like this:
Week 15: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 19,
Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26
Week 17: at Chicago Bears, Sunday, Jan. 2
Week 18: vs. Washington Football Team, Sunday, Jan. 9— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) May 12, 2021
That Week 17 matchup could be a big one in the race of the top of draft boards. Hopefully, the Bears will be in a place where a loss isn’t giving the Giants a top-10 pick.
BEARS AT BUCCANEERS, OCTOBER 24
Is this the one where Tom Brady finally acknowledges Nick Foles’ existence? Or will Foles have to set his son on his lap and remind him who his daddy is again?
Updated list of Bucs games now reported for 2021:
Week 1: vs. Cowboys
Week 3: at Rams
Week 4: at Patriots
Week 6: at Eagles
Week 7: vs. Bears
Week 8: at Saints
Week 10: at Washington
Week 11: vs. Giants
Week 14: vs. Bills
Week 15: vs. Saints
Week 17: at Jets
Week 18: ? Panthers— Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 12, 2021
It’s weird seeing “Week 18” on these schedules. That’ll take some time to get used to seeing.
THE WHOLE THING?
Harry Teinowitz used to be the king of schedule-release day. But it appears the throne has been taken by another Chicago radio personality:
Full #Bears Schedule:
Wk 1: @ Rams SNF
Wk 2: Cincy
Wk 3: @ Cleveland
Wk 4: Detroit
Wk 5: @ Raiders (Vegas!)
Wk 6: GB
Wk 7: @ TB
Wk 8: San Fran
Wk 9: @ Pitt MNF
WK 10: BYE
WK 11: Baltimore
WK 12: @ DET
WK 13: Arz
WK 14: @ GB SNF
WK 15: Min MNF
WK 16: @ Sea
WK 17: NYG
WK 18: @ Min— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) May 12, 2021
And with that, I’m looking forward to seeing the official release to come.
More to come…
