NEWSLETTER
My favorite random schedule quirk is that the Bears and Vikings are playing on December 20th for the second consecutive year. Sure, it’s a different day of the week. And a different week on the NFL calendar. But it’s still a trip.
The moment I figured out that was my favorite schedule quirk was when I realized I needed a nap. Or some ice cream. I ended up getting both.
• Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Chicago Bears have one of the toughest schedules in football. Based on a strength of schedule metric rooted in last year’s winning percentage, the Bears have the NFL’s third-toughest schedule. This is old hat for us. In 2018, they took on the eighth-hardest schedule. That team won 12 games and made the postseason. A year later, it was the most difficult schedule in the entire league. The 2019 team fell short of expectations and missed the playoffs, but didn’t bottom out entirely as it finished with an 8-8 record. Last year’s team had the 13th hardest strength of schedule, but still made the playoffs.
• One reason I don’t put too much stock into strength of schedule preseason rankings: There was a weird quirk about last year’s schedule in which Mitchell Trubisky faced — by far — the easiest defensive matchups among all quarterbacks. In other words, what does strength of schedule based on last year’s results mean? Anything? Hello? Bueller?
• Here’s a different way to look at the schedules:
5 easiest schedules?
1️⃣ 49ers
2️⃣ Broncos
3️⃣ Browns
4️⃣ Dolphins
5️⃣ Bucs5 hardest schedules?
2️⃣8️⃣ Bengals
2️⃣9️⃣ Lions
3️⃣0️⃣ Texans
3️⃣1️⃣ Steelers
3️⃣2️⃣ Raidersfull 1-32: pic.twitter.com/ZWFtrEARF8
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 13, 2021
• Never before in the Bears’ 101-year history has the franchise had a schedule in which it alternated road-home for the entirety of the calendar. So, they might as well make the most of it. One way to do so would be to follow in the footsteps of the 2012 Falcons, 2013 Packers, and 2019 Ravens:
Scheduling NUGGET:
Chicago Bears don’t have any back to back road games.
Only 4th team in last decade.
2012 Falcons
2013 Packers
2019 RavensAll won their division. pic.twitter.com/GFFbK6cJ1D
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) May 13, 2021
• Chicago’s football team needs great fortune to win the NFC North this year. But that winning the division despite this odd scheduling isn’t unprecedented provides a sliver of hope. And frankly, that’s all I need. As noted scoundrel/space war hero/smuggler Han Solo would say: “Never tell me the odds.”
• For what it’s worth, the North Divisions (yes, plural) will be dog fights. At least, based on strength of schedule. From the top of the “hardest” list, it goes: Steelers, Ravens, BEARS, Packers, Vikings, Bengals, Lions. The seven hardest schedules belong to AFC and NFC North teams. To round out the challenging schedules, the Browns have the ninth-most-difficult schedule based on last year’s winning percentages. Eight teams from the same divisions in the top-10 seems absurd.
• You know who really has the toughest schedule? Bears Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai. Chicago’s defense lost two starting corners, as well as depth along the defensive line this offseason. I think the depth will be fine, but losing a high quality starting cornerback such as Kyle Fuller still stings. And when you look at the quarterbacks on the Bears’ schedule, you’ll understand how much it hurts:
⇒ Super Bowl champions: Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Russell Wilson
⇒ Recent No. 1 overall picks: Joe Burrow (2020), Kyler Murray (2019), Baker Mayfield (2018), Jared Goff (2016)
⇒ Pro Bowlers: Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford
⇒ MVPs: Rodgers, Brady, Lamar Jackson
• If Sean Desai doesn’t lose sleep thinking about the quarterbacks his defense must stop, then more power to him. Meanwhile, I’ll invest in more melatonin gummies to get me through the nights from September through January.
• When it comes to Week 1, the quarterbacks starting in the Sunday Night Football game between the Bears and Rams should be concerned with who is coming around the edge:
Week 1 on @SNFonNBC 🍿@ChicagoBears | @RamsNFL
Since 2016, Aaron Donald (346) and Khalil Mack (250) rank first and third in the NFL in total QB pressures.
The rest of the top 5: pic.twitter.com/sFMAw9ewdM
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) May 12, 2021
• It’s a daunting schedule to be sure, but does it get any tougher than Weeks 6-9? Rodgers, Brady, Garoppolo, and Roethlisberger have one thing in common — they have all started at least one Super Bowl. Three of those guys have won it. Swap out Garoppolo for Trey Lance? Cool. Then we’re talking about three Super Bowl winners and the third overall pick in this draft class. It’s … a lot to take in right now.
• I’m not (always) a big believer in conspiracy theories that professional sports leagues playing favorites with certain teams, but doesn’t it always feel like the Cowboys and Patriots get “favorable” schedules? Nick Shook (Around The NFL) explores which teams were given the most favorable draws in 2021.
• For your listening pleasure:
Robert Mays vents on Justin Fields, how to develop him, the Bears' future & more https://t.co/YcuwfRSEUw
— The Athletic Chicago (@TheAthleticCHI) May 12, 2021
• MacBook Pros, grills, smokers, and more are your Deals of the Day at Amazon. #ad
• Hope springs eternal:
From league source:
"The NFL is preparing to play the 2021 season at full stadium capacity."
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) May 13, 2021
• Some love for Riverboat Ron:
Me – Hey @charleslenojr72, why did you pick Washington?
Charles – @RiverboatRonHC
Signed. Sealed. Delivered.
All because he wants to play for Riverboat Ron.
More tonight on @7NewsDC.@KgriggsPhoto @SlavinRon pic.twitter.com/uvHNIHkD7h
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) May 12, 2021
• Uh, what?
I was stunned to hear this from Teddy Bridgewater, speaking about his time in Carolina…
"One of the things we didn't do much of when I was there, we didn't practice 2-minute really, we didn't practice red zone."
Full interview 👇https://t.co/1ysjGRsthA pic.twitter.com/79E5nJcA4h
— Bryant McFadden (@BMac_SportsTalk) May 12, 2021
• The best NFL schedule releases:
"Eric DeCosta…quite the prankster! He wanted me and my friends to surprise you by revealing the schedule…" 🤣🤣
🎟️: https://t.co/7m5s0qVBHy
📺: NFL Net 8 p.m. https://t.co/2gHbzR1JND— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 12, 2021
On a journey to find dubs.
Our 2021 schedule is here – https://t.co/UGNpFdNYvM pic.twitter.com/pgZGGyD5wk
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 12, 2021
GiVe ThE sOcIaL mEdIa InTeRn A rAiSe.
Our 2021 schedule brought to you by Peyton, the greatest summer intern of all time: pic.twitter.com/3G5KqTsTCa
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 12, 2021
2021 Schedule release… pic.twitter.com/ylbaH3E0fm
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) May 12, 2021
