The NFL releaaed it’s full schedule on Wednesday, so naturally the thing to do now is go through it and prognosticate/predict how it will play out. So grab your favorite beverage and let’s see how things may go!
Week 1: Titans- The Tennessee Titans find their way to Soldier Field to open up the 2024 NFL season. This will be a fun matchup between two rookie QBs: Caleb Williams for the Bears and Will Levis for the Titans. The Bears added lots of talent to DJ Moore and Cole Kmet. The Bears defense was solid last year and look to repeat on that this season. I see this as a Bears Win. W
Week2: @Texans- Another interesting matchup as the Bears travel to Houston to take on CJ Stroud and the Texans. CJ had a very nice rookie campaign, taking his team to the playoffs and a 10-7 record. This feels like a loss as the Texans are further along in terms of development than the Bears. L
Week3: @Colts- Indianapolis is transitioning from Garnder Minshew from last season to Anthony Richardson. I like the Bears in this early season bout. W
Week 4: Rams- Los Angeles has handled the Bears in recent history- will the trend continue? I think it might be a little closer, and that depends greatly on how well Williams can develop. L
Week 5: Panthers- Carolina seems to keep giving the Bears gifts. Last year it was DJ Moore and this year’s #1 overall pick which turned into Caleb Williams. This year it will likely be a win. W
Week 6: Jaguars- Though it counts as a home game. this contest is being played in London. I don’t see Jacksonville being a tough matchup for the Bears and their revamped offense. W
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: @ Commanders- After a week of rest the Bears travel to DC and will face up vs another rookie QB in Jaden Daniels. Bears trounced Washington 40-20 last season and I see them securing a win here. W
Week 9: @ Cardinals- Bears travel to Arizona and will probably have a tougher time than they did last year on Christmas Eve. L
Week 10: Patriots- New England comes to town with their new QB, Maye. I look for the Bears to bounce back against the rookie QB. W
Week 11: Packers- The Bears finally get a division game. This has to be the longest they have ever gone before playing a division rival. This should be a good one. The Packers and Jordan Love are much further ahead, but we will see if the Bears closed the talent gap. I still think it will be a little too much. L
Week 12: Vikings- After waiting 11 weeks for a division game, the Bears get their second in a row when Minnesota and their rookie QB come to town. They will get their first look at JJ McCarthy. I think this one will be close, so I am giving a slight edge to the home team. W
Week 13: @ Lions- The Bears go to Detroit for their 3rd division game in a row for a Thanksgiving special. The Bears did a good job vs the Lions last year. I think the Detroit takes care of business at home on a short week. L
Week 14: @ 49ers- The Bears have had decent success vs San Francisco as of late, but Brock Purdy took them to the Super Bowl last season. They have a solid defense and a veteran offense. This will likely be a little too much for the young Bears. L
Week 15: @ Vikings- For the 3rd straight week, the Bears are on the road for this Monday night tilt. Minnesota will be looking for revenge from their week 12 loss. Keep looking purple people eaters. W
Week 16: Lions- This time it’s the Bears looking to avenge an earlier loss in Detroit. Will they get it? I don’t think so. L
Week 17: Seahawks- On a quick turnaround, Seattle comes to Soldier Field for a Thursday night game on the lakefront. I think the Bears nip them using their home field as an advantage. W
Week 18: @ Packers- Green Bay will likely be headed to the playoffs and may be resting some players. That being said, they have been dominant over the years. This will still be a tough one on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. L
So it looks like I have the Bears going 9-8 which is about where I thought they would be before the schedule dropped. 9 wins would be very solid as they have a rookie QB and some new faces on offense. This is always a fun exercise to do, but anything can happen. It doesn’t take account for injuries to them and their opponents. What do you think?
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