Some thoughts:
- Realistically, the start of the season is not difficult. Neither Houston nor Philadelphia strike me as being title contenders this season. The Bears are a young team on the rise and they need a few good things to happen to them early in the year so they can start to believe. This schedule makes that possible.
- Four primetime games before the bye shows the NFL believes the NFL thinks the Bears might be pretty good.
- Perfect bye week. Dead center of the season.
- Halloween night game…spooky.
Overall, nothing really stands out. It’s a fair, balanced schedule. And it sets up well for the Bears.