The NFL has found a way to become a year-long phenomenon in recent years. From August to January, fans are enamored with the action on the field.
However, it seems the events during the NFL offseason have become just as exciting. One of them being the release of the upcoming season’s schedule. For fans of the Chicago Bears, there is some added anticipation.
The Bears had the worst record in the league last season with a record of 3-14. But the team has made major changes in the offseason, including trading away the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and acquiring wideout D.J. Moore. As quarterback Justin Fields heads into his third season, there is a belief that this team is ready to make a jump.
Often a team’s success can hinge on how their schedule shakes out. Here are the Chicago Bears’ opponents for the 2023 campaign, as well as a breakdown of their upcoming slate.
Chicago Bears Schedule 2023
| Week # | Date & Time | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun, Sep 10 - 3:25 PM | vs. Green Bay Packers | Soldier Field |
| 2 | Sun, Sep 17 - Noon | @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Raymond James Stadium |
| 3 | Sun, Sep 24 - 3:25 PM | @ Kansas City Chiefs | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium |
| 4 | Sun, Oct 1 - Noon | vs. Denver Broncos | Soldier Field |
| 5 | Thu, Oct 5 - 7:15 PM (TNF) | @ Washington Commanders | FedExField |
| 6 | Sun, Oct 15 - Noon | vs. Minnesota Vikings | Soldier Field |
| 7 | Sun, Oct 22 - Noon | vs. Las Vegas Raiders | Soldier Field |
| 8 | Sun, Oct 29 - 7:20 PM (SNF) | @ Los Angeles Chargers | SoFi Stadium |
| 9 | Sun, Nov 5 - Noon | @ New Orleans Saints | Caesars Superdome |
| 10 | Thu, Nov 9 - 7:15 PM (TNF) | vs. Carolina Panthers | Soldier Field |
| 11 | Sun, Nov 19 - Noon | @ Detroit Lions | Ford Field |
| 12 | Mon, Nov 27 - 7:15 PM (MNF) | @ Minnesota Vikings | U.S. Bank Stadium |
| 13 | BYE WEEK | ||
| 14 | Sun, Dec 10 - Noon | vs. Detroit Lions | Soldier Field |
| 15 | Sun, Dec 17 - TBD | @ Cleveland Browns | FirstEnergy Stadium |
| 16 | Sun, Dec 24 - 3:25 PM | vs. Arizona Cardinals | Soldier Field |
| 17 | Sun, Dec 31 - Noon | vs. Atlanta Falcons | Soldier Field |
| 18 | Sun, Jan 7, 2024 - TBD | @ Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field |
Bears 2023 schedule outlook
NFC North is seemingly up for grabs
The upcoming season could become a “worst to first” situation for the Chicago Bears. Last year’s NFC North Champions, the Minnesota Vikings, are not viewed as unbeatable titans. The Detroit Lions have not won a division title since 1993. Finally, the self-proclaimed owner of the Bears, Aaron Rodgers, is no longer with the Green Bay Packers.
Don’t get me wrong, the Bears have a lot of holes to fill and will need to see many players step up into critical roles if they plan to win a lot of games in 2023. However, you can’t tell me they don’t have a chance to win all their divisional games this season.
According to Illinois Sportsbooks, the Lions are the preseason favorite to win the division. The Bears are at . Those aren’t terrible odds.
Many experts believe Justin Fields can be the best quarterback in the NFC North this upcoming season. If he can take that “third-year leap,” the franchise could be poised to make a run at the division crown.
Bears secure four primetime slots… for now
The NFL appears to sense a potential resurgence of the Bears franchise. Chicago has four primetime games in this initial schedule. That includes two Thursday Night games, a Sunday Night matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers and an appearance on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings.
However, with the NFL’s current flex scheduling rules, the SNF and MNF games could be changed. If the Bears have a good season, there is reason to believe all these games will remain in their original spot. This is also the first season where teams not playing on Thanksgiving will be playing in multiple TNF games. Those games cannot be flexed out. So at a minimum, the Bears will get two standalone games in primetime during the 2023 season.
Chicago’s strength of schedule near the middle of the pack
If the Bears are looking to make some significant strides this season, it will not be easy. Chicago’s schedule is tied for the 18th hardest schedule this upcoming season.
Their opponents’ 2022 winning percentage was at .497, with an overall record of 143-145-1. However, a big chunk of those wins are spread out among the Vikings, Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs.
The Bears will face the AFC West and NFC South, including home games against the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons, and away games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints.
With Chicago finishing fourth in the NFC North, they’ll also face the same-place finisher in the NFC East and NFC West. With that additional 17th game, they’ll face the AFC North same-place finisher, Cleveland Browns, on the road. As always, they’ll face their NFC North rivals twice.
Way too early Bears’ 2023 predictions
I don’t love making predictions. However, I don’t think there is anything wrong with making them this early on because, at this point, they are more hopeful thoughts than they are predictions. So in this situation, take these “predictions” with a grain of salt.
- The Bears will hit the over on their projected win total of .
- I think the Bears will win at least nine games this season, finishing above .500.
- Justin Fields will make the Pro Bowl.
- D.J. Moore will record at least 1,000 receiving yards.
- The Bears’ defense will finish in the league’s top half in total sacks.
