NEWSLETTER
NFL schedule-release day is becoming an event.
For fans, it provides a chance to plan destination getaways to see our favorite teams and players. I’ll admit to being an over-planner, but I’m trying to work on that and let life flow as it goes. And for social media coordinators, an opportunity to do something awesome that goes viral. Because no one makes an announcement of an announcement feel as big as the NFL does.
Nevertheless, the announcement of the NFL’s schedule-release announcement is here. And I want you to be as ready as I am. So mark your calendars for Thursday, May 11:
The good news, for us, is that we already know who’s on the Chicago Bears’ list of opponents:
- HOME GAMES: Lions, Vikings, Packers, Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Raiders, Cardinals
- ROAD GAMES: Lions, Vikings, Packers, Chiefs, Chargers, Saints, Buccaneers, Browns, Commanders
You might notice the Bears are playing an extra roadie in their 17-game schedule. Just know that your eyes aren’t deceiving you. So long as the NFL plays an odd number of games, teams will alternate having an extra game against a cross-conference opponent who finishes in the same place in the standings. Two years ago, the Bears had an extra road game against the Raiders in Vegas. Last year, their additional home game against the Texans at Soldier Field. This season, the Bears will head back on the road to face the Browns in Cleveland. But in 2024, the team will get an extra home game against an opponent to be determined at a later time.
Circling back to the Bears’ 2023 schedule of opponents, here are some notable highlights:
- There are just five games (against four teams) that made last year’s playoffs. But one of those teams is the reigning Super Bowl champions.
- We know the Bears are playing the Chiefs. And we know it won’t be at Soldier Field. But we don’t know if it’ll be at Arrowhead or in Germany. Stay tuned.
- There are 10 games against nine opponents who finished last year with a losing record. Seven of those games are against teams that had at least 10 losses (Cardinals, Broncos, Raiders, Panthers, Browns, Saints, Falcons).
- Two squads that finished with losing records who are on the Bears’ opponents list next year will be without the future Hall of Fame QBs who were there last year — the Bucs (Tom Brady’s retirement) and Packers (Aaron Rodgers’ trade).
- Yeah … I can’t believe Rodgers and Brady are ducking Justin Fields either. It’s cowardly if you really think about it.
We’ll find out more about the schedule as the week evolves. It’s a shame we can’t fast forward to Thursday.
