This is the first post of our countdown of why you should give a damn about the Bears this season. Every post that follows will be another reason to watch the Bears and we will eventually get to our number one reason.
No. 10: Strength of Schedule
The Bears will have the second easiest schedule in the NFL this season, tied for 30th in the league with the Giants, with a .461 strength of schedule.
If you haven’t seen the schedule yet, you can take a look at it here.
Having a weak schedule means the Bears will have more opportunities to be in close games against vulnerable opponents. Last season the Bears played six playoff teams, the Cardinals who were in the NFC Championship and the Broncos who ended up being Super Bowl Champions, are two for instance.
Even though the Bears had the 13th hardest schedule in 2015 they competed throughout the season, losing five games by four points or less.
It was a losing season record wise for the Bears, but in some ways, the team “won” as they gained confidence in themselves that they can compete with some of the best teams in the league.
That confidence will carry over into the 2016 season when the Bears play teams like the Giants, Jaguars and Titans, which are all capable wins for the Bears.
However, the rest of the NFL thinks otherwise.
Right Guard Kyle Long knows exactly what the rest of the NFL is thinking. “But we are aware of the fact that there’s kind of a league-wide disrespect on the Chicago Bears. I know that we’re not very appreciative of it, and we’re looking forward to getting after it,” Long said.
Long has the right attitude and so should Bears fans heading into the 2016 season. The Bears have an improved roster, have plenty of excitement surrounding the team and are ready to get after opponents this season.
It will be interesting to see if that confidence from last season shows as the Bears head into close games against weaker opponents and flip the script, coming out with wins instead of losses.
On any given Sunday is how the phrase goes, and the Bears have the schedule to come out on the winning side on those given Sunday’s.
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