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A Closer Look at the 2011 Bears Schedule

| April 19th, 2011

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To look at the previous post, listing the schedule, click here.

Analyzing potential draft picks is the element of NFL writing I find most boring.  Coming in a close second is analyzing the schedule on the day of its release.  No one knows in April how good the Broncos or Chiefs will be in November.  No one knows if the Vikings will solve their quarterback issues or if the Green Bay Packers will stay healthy.  Three words pretty much sum up the coming season, when the discussion is happening in April: no one knows.

Here’s what we do know:
  • The Bears and Packers on Christmas night will be one of the most heavily watched football games of the year.  When Christmas falls on Sunday, the NFL flips its entire schedule to Saturday and gives two teams the national spotlight.  Bears/Pack are it.
  • I like to look at the schedule and target trouble areas.  The trouble three-game stretch for the Bears is the first three games of their season: home Falcons, at Saints, home Packers.  That is the only stretch that seems scary at this point.
  • So much for the Chicago weather having an impact.  The Bears have only one home game in December – against the Seattle Seahawks.
  • I don’t ever remember the NFL stacking all four Bears AFC opponents in consecutive weeks.  Since these games have no tiebreaker impact, I’d prefer they be earlier in the year as opposed to November-December.
  • Didn’t the NFL get the Bears memo stating we will only play the Saints in cold weather?
  • I was happy to see the Lions with a Monday night game.
  • I’m thrilled the Bears avoided the opening night contest with the Packers.  Home teams never lose that game.  That being said, go Saints!
  • Bears at Broncos.  December 11th.  Toughness Bowl.