The 2023 Chicago Bears schedule is about.
Season opener towards the rival Green Bay Packers. Season finale? Against the Packers. Sandwiched in between are 15 video games that may decide the course and momentum of the group’s resurgence effort. The Bears will play a pair of Thursday night time video games for the primary time — in Weeks 5 and 10 — and have 4 prime–time video games in all.
Here’s how our trio of Bears reporters sees the season taking part in out.
Week 1: Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, Sept. 10, 3:25 p.m., Fox-32
Great information! Sources have confirmed to the Tribune that Jordan Love doesn’t personal something in or round downtown Chicago. The regulation of averages additionally suggests the Packers’ new QB1 couldn’t probably emerge as one of many league’s prime stars for the following decade or longer. So perhaps Bears followers can breathe a sigh of reduction. And maybe this rivalry will turn out to be legitimately aggressive once more.
Tribune picks
- Brad Biggs: Packers
- Colleen Kane: Bears
- Dan Wiederer: Bears
Week 2: Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, Sept. 17, midday, Fox-32
The Bears’ final journey to Raymond James Stadium was a horror present, a 38-3 loss throughout the group’s 2021 nosedive. But these aren’t Tom Brady’s Bucs. They’re Baker Mayfield’s squad now with Tampa, Fla., changing into the fourth cease for Mayfield within the final two years. Maybe these red-zone pirate-ship cannons can be slightly quieter this journey. Maybe this can be an early-season alternative to construct momentum.
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Bears
- Kane: Bears
- Wiederer: Buccaneers
Week 3: Bears at Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, Sept. 24, 3:25 p.m., CBS-2
According to esteemed NFL journalist Peter King, the Chiefs formally requested their recreation towards the Bears be performed at Arrowhead Stadium reasonably than in Frankfurt, Germany, as a part of the league’s worldwide sequence. Per common, hordes of Bears followers are anticipated to make their presence felt in Kansas City, Mo., on the third weekend of the season. The greater query, although, is how a lot two-time MVP and two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes will make his presence felt towards a Bears protection that completed final season ranked final in sacks and yards allowed per cross play.
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Chiefs
- Kane: Chiefs
- Wiederer: Chiefs
Week 4: Bears vs. Denver Broncos
Sunday, Oct. 1, midday, CBS-2
Does Sean Payton have the key sauce to resurrect Russell Wilson? That’s on the heart of an costly experiment in Denver the place the Broncos stumbled to 12 losses final season and fired first-year coach Nathaniel Hackett after solely 15 video games. Now a Super Bowl-winning offensive mastermind groups with a Super Bowl-winning quarterback on a mission to get the Broncos again into the playoffs for the primary time since they received Super Bowl 50.
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Bears
- Kane: Broncos
- Wiederer: Broncos
Week 5: Bears at Washington Commanders
Thursday, Oct. 5, 7:15 p.m., Amazon Prime
The Commanders’ nasty defensive entrance led by Daron Payne, Chase Young, Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat made life troublesome for Justin Fields and the Bears offense in a Week 6 Thursday night time recreation final season. Washington stole a 12-7 victory when a possible game-winning drive for the Bears ended 8 inches shy of the purpose line with 30 seconds left. Could this be payback time?
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Bears
- Kane: Bears
- Wiederer: Bears
Week 6: Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, Oct. 15, midday, Fox-32
Who might ever overlook that Week 18 conflict between the Bears and Vikings in January at Soldier Field, a 29-13 Vikings win that ended with Tim Boyle and Nick Mullens because the quarterbacks on the sphere? Actually, it’s fairly attainable followers of each groups wouldn’t have the ability to recall three performs from that recreation. Here’s hoping this yr’s reunion downtown has extra that means and rather more leisure worth.
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Vikings
- Kane: Vikings
- Wiederer: Bears
Week 7: Bears vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Sunday, Oct. 22, midday, Fox-32
The Raiders invested the No. 7 choose on Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson, an imposing cross rusher whose energy and velocity is complemented by his 86-inch wingspan. The Raiders additionally made a number of notable offseason additions on offense, signing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and receiver Jakobi Meyers whereas drafting Notre Dame tight finish Michael Mayer in Round 2.
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Bears
- Kane: Raiders
- Wiederer: Raiders
Week 8: Bears at Los Angeles Chargers
Sunday, Oct. 29, 7:25 p.m., NBC-5
In his first three seasons, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown for 14,089 yards and 94 touchdowns. Both totals would rank third in Bears historical past. This additionally can be a reunion recreation with Khalil Mack, although most of Mack’s Bears teammates are lengthy gone from the roster.
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Chargers
- Kane: Chargers
- Wiederer: Chargers
Week 9: Bears at New Orleans Saints
Sunday, Nov. 5, midday, CBS-2
Bayou voodoo? The signature victory of the Bears’ 103-season historical past got here on the Louisiana Superdome, a 46-10 pasting of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. But the Bears haven’t received in that constructing since October 1991, when Mike Ditka was nonetheless their coach and Jim Harbaugh was quarterback. The Bears’ final go to to New Orleans ended with a playoff exit in a 21-9 wild-card-round loss in January 2021 in a recreation that wasn’t practically as shut as the ultimate rating would counsel.
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Saints
- Kane: Saints
- Wiederer: Saints
Week 10: Bears vs. Carolina Panthers
Thursday, Nov. 9, 7:15 p.m., Amazon Prime
After buying and selling receiver DJ Moore and three draft picks to the Bears in March, the Panthers used the No. 1 choose from that landmark deal to draft Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. League expertise evaluators are curious to see how Young holds up within the NFL along with his 5-foot-10, 204-pound body. But fact be advised, that is perhaps the one vital deficiency anybody within the league might discover throughout the predraft course of as Young turned heads along with his high-level composure, accuracy, really feel for the sport and playmaking means. An early-November battle towards Justin Fields ought to be enjoyable.
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Bears
- Kane: Bears
- Wiederer: Bears
Week 11: Bears at Detroit Lions
Sunday, Nov. 19, midday, Fox-32
The Bears’ bid to retain working again David Montgomery stalled in March when Montgomery as a substitute selected to signal a three-year, $18 million contract with the Lions. Bears GM Ryan Poles was dissatisfied however wished Montgomery nicely. The first reunion comes at Ford Field. “He definitely is going to run with a chip on his shoulder,” Poles stated.
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Lions
- Kane: Lions
- Wiederer: Lions
Week 12: Bears at Vikings
Monday, Nov. 27, 7:15 p.m., ESPN
Many have scoffed on the path the Vikings took to 13 wins and a division title final season, going 11-0 in video games determined by eight factors or fewer and ending with a minus-3 level differential. Kevin O’Connell’s group couldn’t probably repeat that magical run, might it? Well, with star receiver Justin Jefferson, something appears attainable. Included in Jefferson’s 1,800-yard season was a seven-catch, 91-yard first-quarter greeting for the Bears within the groups’ assembly at U.S. Bank Stadium in October.
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Bears
- Kane: Vikings
- Wiederer: Vikings
Week 13: Bye week
No recreation this week, so atone for the most recent Bears headlines out of Arlington Heights.
Week 14: Bears vs. Lions
Sunday, Dec. 10, midday, Fox-32
Dan Campbell’s group received eight of their ultimate 10 video games final season and are instantly the odds-on favourite to, nicely, take the North. The Lions additionally assembled an eight-man draft class that included first-round picks Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell in addition to Day 2 abilities Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch, Hendon Hooker and Brodric Martin.
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Lions
- Kane: Bears
- Wiederer: Lions
Week 15: Bears at Cleveland Browns
TBA
For those that take pleasure in including pencil markings to the Justin Fields quarterback development chart, this can be an intriguing return to the location of Fields’ first NFL begin. That September day in 2021 was one to overlook with Fields left to take a beating to the tune of 9 sacks because the Bears totaled only one internet passing yard in a 26-6 loss. So simply how far has the franchise quarterback come since?
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Browns
- Kane: Bears
- Wiederer: Bears
Week 16: Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, Dec. 24, 3:25 p.m., Fox-32
The Cardinals are one among three groups on the Bears’ schedule with a brand new coach. (The Broncos and Panthers are the others.) Matt Eberflus ought to have loads of familiarity with new Cardinals boss Jonathan Gannon, who was his defensive backs coach with the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-2020.
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Bears
- Kane: Bears
- Wiederer: Cardinals
Week 17: Bears vs. Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, Dec. 31, midday, Fox-32
Is a working again ever worthy of being chosen within the prime 10 within the trendy NFL? That was an animated debate for the 2 months main as much as the draft. The Falcons positive thought so, grabbing Texas again Bijan Robinson with the No. 8 choice. Robinson is a do-it-all weapon who ought to rapidly turn out to be the engine of the Falcons offense. Will the Bears protection be sturdy sufficient up entrance to gradual Robinson?
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Bears
- Kane: Bears
- Wiederer: Bears
Week 18: Bears at Packers
Saturday or Sunday, Jan. 6 or 7, TBA
It can’t be, can it? A visit into Lambeau Field? Without tormentor Aaron Rodgers ready on the gate? As the four-time MVP and eight-time NFC North champ tends to his new job with the New York Jets, the Bears ought to really feel keen to start out exacting payback on their chief rivals. The Packers beat the Bears in Green Bay 13 instances in 15 tries with Rodgers as their starter with a mean margin of defeat of 16 factors. How a lot will the 2023 season finale imply to both group?
Tribune picks
- Biggs: Packers
- Kane: Packers
- Wiederer: Bears
Season predictions
Brad Biggs: 8-9
It’s solely applicable the Bears get the primary shot on the Packers within the post-Aaron Rodgers period. After all, the long run Hall of Famer had extra success towards them than another franchise.
With what basic supervisor Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus hope is a a lot completely different protection, the Bears will get to see how their retooled entrance seven appears towards new Packers quarterback Jordan Love. It’s the primary of what appears like not less than 9 video games with groups utilizing a brand new beginning quarterback or with a depth chart in flux.
The Bears journey to Tampa, Fla., in Week 2, the place following Tom Brady’s retirement it appears like Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask. The Thursday recreation in Week 5 at Washington doubtlessly pits the Bears towards Sam Howell, who has one profession begin. The Bears might see Jimmy Garoppolo (Raiders) and Derek Carr (Saints) in Weeks 8 and 9 with new groups, and No. 1 choose Bryce Young and the Panthers go to Soldier Field in Week 10.
Who is aware of if Kyler Murray can be again from a torn ACL for the Cardinals in time for Week 16. Could the Cardinals be within the combine for the No. 1 choose at that time? The following week, will Desmond Ridder be beginning for the Falcons?
There’s usually a large hole between the haves and have nots with quarterbacks, and the Bears have figured that out by trial and a whole lot of error. Maybe they’ve their man in Justin Fields. Perhaps that is the schedule and the season through which he really rises. It helps that the Bears face groups in flux on the place — little doubt about that.
Colleen Kane: 8-9
A Bears-Packers season opener as Green Bay’s first recreation after Aaron Rodgers? The NFL couldn’t resist. I’ve to suppose it’ll play within the Bears’ favor to get Jordan Love proper off the bat at Soldier Field, setting the Bears as much as lastly break the Packers’ eight-game profitable streak within the rivalry. And Week 2 towards the Buccaneers — post-Tom Brady — doesn’t appear that unhealthy both.
The Panthers recreation in November has the potential to return with a complete lot of hype, relying on how the seasons of Justin Fields and Bryce Young are taking part in out. The Bears handed on a possibility to draft Young with the No. 1 choose as a result of they believed in Fields’ growth. By Week 10, the Bears ought to hope to have a good suggestion of how that call is taking part in out, on Fields’ finish not less than.
The meat of the schedule seems to return from Weeks 3-9. Those Week 8 and 9 video games on the Chargers and Saints are the beginning of a stretch of 4 highway video games in 5 weeks. If the Bears can get by the second Vikings recreation after Thanksgiving weekend within the .500 vary, there may very well be an opportunity for a December push towards the Lions, Browns, Cardinals and Falcons.
As for that Week 18 journey to Lambeau Field? It’s too quickly to inform if that may have playoff implications for both group.
Dan Wiederer: 7-10
The schedule launch is a date-circling occasion for beat writers. Warm-weather escape weekends? The Bears will take pleasure in journeys this fall to Tampa, Fla., Los Angeles and New Orleans. Nice. Holidays? No Thanksgiving recreation once more this season — the Bears will journey to play the Vikings on Monday night time following that weekend. They may also be dwelling for Christmas after a midafternoon kickoff on Christmas Eve towards the Cardinals earlier than internet hosting the Falcons for New Year’s Eve.
But what in regards to the matchups that actually get the juices going? For these incomparable rushes, give me Sept. 10 at Soldier Field towards the Packers. Right out of the gate. Let’s see the brand new form of this rivalry within the post-Aaron Rodgers period. Let’s see how a lot progress Justin Fields has made and the way a lot he can profit from an upgraded supporting forged. Let’s see how a lot of a gap Jordan Love offers the Bears to shut the hole.
Give me Sept. 24 at Arrowhead Stadium, too, towards the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Perfect measuring-stick recreation proper there. Also give me Nov. 9, a Thursday nighter in Week 10 towards the Carolina Panthers with a possible battle between Fields and No. 1 choose Bryce Young on the lakefront. (Please, please, please don’t give any of us Andy Dalton vs. P.J. Walker for that one.)
The most passionate Bears followers take a look at the 18-week schedule and see a paved highway to playoff competition. A realist can spot the potholes whereas nonetheless seeing loads of alternative for a younger and rising group to construct perception towards a brighter future.
It would shock many within the league if this Bears group have been to complete with a profitable document in 2023. But the schedule doesn’t really feel notably imposing, notably in a altering NFC panorama. So now the Bears get their likelihood to make use of it as a springboard.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com
