Earlier today, the NFL released its 2015 schedule. I decided to share some thoughts I had while breaking down Da Bears’ schedule.
Quick Schedule Breakdown & Prediction
Week 1: (9/13, noon) vs. Green Bay Packers
“Relax.” This might not be as bad as it looks. Yes, the Packers are going to be the team to beat in the NFC North, but we get off lucky facing them in week one.
Why?
Well, since 2012, Green Bay is (0-3) in the opening week. The Packers typically start off their seasons slow, and this gives the Bears a much better shot at coming away with a victory in the 2015 season opener.
Week 2: (9/20, noon) vs Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals started the 2014 season red hot, but could not overcome the large amount of injuries in key positions, which ultimately lead to three straight losses to end their season.
Fully healthy, this is a dangerous team and the Bears should have their hands full.
Week 3: (9/27, 4:25p.m.) at Seattle Seahawks
Chicago’s first road game is at arguably the toughest stadium to play in in the entire NFL, CentryLink Field home of the 12th Man.
Oh yeah, and the team’s not too bad itself. Seattle has been to back-to-back Super Bowls. They won the first and were only one bad play call away from winning a second. Nonetheless, the Seahawks show no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
However, this game will serve as a good measuring stick for both the Bears and their fans to see where the team stands against a Super Bowl caliber opponent.
Week 4: (10/4, noon) vs Oakland Raiders
Finally, an “easy” opponent. I say “easy” because this is the NFL and any given team can win on Sunday.
But really, the Bears would be able to beat the Raiders at home. Wouldn’t it be nice to see Lamarr Houston have a monster game against his former team?
Week 5: (10/11, noon) at Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are one of the middle of the road teams that don’t really scare me, but it could end up being a hard fought game.
The Bears secondary shouldn’t have much to worry about as Kansas City finished 2014 without a WR catching a single touchdown pass. On the other side of the ball, if our offensive line has a hard time stopping Justin Houston (22 sacks in 2014), it could be a long day for Jay Cutler (or whoever is starting at quarterback).
Week 6: (10/18, noon) at Detroit Lions
Detroit has had the Bears number the past couple of seasons, especially at Ford Field. Actually, the Lions have not lost to the Bears in Detroit since 2010.
Hopefully, the Bears can find a way to snap that streak and grab a “W” before heading into the bye week.
Week 7: BYE
I can confidently say that there’s no way the Bears lose this week! 😉
Week 8: (11/1, noon) vs Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings steadily improved over the course of the 2014 season. I expect them to have an even stronger campaign in 2015 with Teddy Bridgewater gaining more experience and confidence.
Week 9: (11/8, 8:30p.m.) at Sand Diego Chargers
Jay Cutler and Phillip Rivers have had a “feud” ever since Jay played for Denver.
Jay had Eddie Royal back then, and well… now he has him again! Hopefully, Royal can remind Chargers fans why he prefers Cutler over Rivers. Nonetheless, it should be fun to watch the two QB’s duel it out on Monday Night.
Week 10: (11/15, noon) at St. Louis Rams
The Rams have a young defense that should give the Bears offense fits. If the line protects Cutler, and if he protects the football, the Bears should outscore the Rams anemic offense.
Week 11:(11/22, noon) vs Denver Broncos
One of the toughest games of year as the Bears face off against Peyton Manning (cue bad memories of Super Bowl XLI).
John Fox faces his former team and let’s hope he fires up the Bears to play one of their better games of the season… They’ll need it.
Week 12: (11/26, 8:30p.m.) at Green Bay Packers (Thanksgiving)
Gobble Gobble!
After a days worth of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and..(you get the picture) our Bears will square off against the Packers, this time at Lambeau.
As “weak” as I predict the Packers to be in Week 1, I expect Green Bay to be playing their best football come Thanksgiving. The Packers will have an extra “spark” with retiring Brett Favre’s #4 that night. Gonna be difficult to pull this one off.
Week 13: (12/6, noon) vs San Fransisco 49ers
This is one of those 50/50 games as I really don’t know what to expect from the 49ers in 2015. All I know is their defense took a blow as they lost their great coordinator, Vic Fangio. Where did he end up?? Oh yeah, Chicago! 😉
Week 14: (12/13, noon) vs Washington
Washington: Now that’s an interesting team with so many unanswered questions. Will RGIII return to be the player he once was? As Chicago fans, we understand this situation quite well…
Week 15: (12/20, noon) at Minnesota Vikings
Late December in Minnesota. Talk about a bone-chilling game! Best case scenario this late in the season, the Bears are still within playoff contention with something to play for. If so, the Vikings probably will be too and so both teams should be playing with high intensity, vying for the ever-so-important division victory.
Week 16: (12/27, noon) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last season, it was Lovie who returned to Chicago. This time the Bears visit him in Tampa Bay.
The Bears defense will square-off against a rookie quarterback, which I assume is Jameis Winston… but I cannot say for certain until the draft.
Either way, it should be an entertaining game as Lovie doesn’t want to lose to his former team for the second straight season. Maybe the newly acquired Bear, Mason Foster, will have a solid performance against his former team?
Week 17: (1/3, noon) vs Detroit Lions
The Bears end their 2015 regular season at home against the Lions. If the Bears are eliminated for the playoffs, they might be able to knock the Lions out of contention.
The Bears are only (2-3) in week 17 since 2010. Let’s hope Chicago can get that record back to .500.
Quick Prediction
8-8
The Bears are still rebuilding and with the 2015 schedule cluttered with quality opponents, Chicago can hang their head high if they can finish the season with the same record as 2013. That season it was a decline, but this time around finishing (8-8) will be a steady improvement and the perfect lead-in to what could be an interesting 2016 Bears season.
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