The 2023 NFL Schedule came out last night and the Chicago Bears looks interesting especially the first game out of the season against the Green Bay Packers who are now without Bears killer Aaron Rodgers.

Week 1 vs Packers 325 on Fox (9-10-23): I am so glad the Bears get the Packers right out of the gate as the Jordan Love era begins.  Jordan Love only has 1 start in his short career even though has come in for mop up duty in some games but who knows what Jordan Love will look like.  If the Bears can get this win out of the gate in the second season of HC Matt Eberflus and GM Ryan Poles that will be huge to start the Bears season.

Week 2 at the Bucs Noon on Fox (9-17-23): No more Tom Brady in Tampa Bay as the GOAT finally retires.  I am guessing Baker Mayfield will be the Bucs quarterback but the Bucs will go on a major downfall this season even though they still have big names like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Lavonte David, Devin White and Shaq Barrett. Bears could start the season 2-0 here before the KC game.

Week 3 at the Chiefs 325 on Fox (9-24-23): This will probably be the Bears toughest game of the season against the Defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium which is one of the toughest venues to play in all of the NFL. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will torch the Bears young defense and the Bears offensive line will be tested by the great Chris Jones who is one of the best interior defensive lineman in all of the NFL.  Chiefs HC Andy Reid now has former Bears HC Matt Nagy calling the plays as Eric Bieniemy departed for Washington.

Week 4 vs the Broncos Noon on Fox (10-1-23): Can Sean Payton turn around Russell Wilson after Russell struggled last season? Will the Broncos be a better team this season after last season was a disaster for them? Last season Nathaneil Hackett went one and done as Broncos HC as he was fired day after Christmas. Broncos still have a good defense we will see how the Bears offense does in this game.

Week 5 at Wasington 7:15 on Prime Video (10-5-23): Last year Washington won at Soldier Field 12-7 in an ugly Thursday Night game.  This time another Thursday Night game but this time at Washington.  The Commanders will very like have a new owner after Dan Snyder finally sells the team.  What will Sam Howell look like as the Washington quarterback?  Washington still has a really good defensive line with the likes of Chase Young, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Montez Sweat.

Week 6 vs Vikings Noon on Fox (10-15-23): Kirk Cousins is still around as the Vikings quarterback as the Bears defense will be tested big time by stud wide receiver Justin Jefferson.  Kevin O’Connell won 13 games in his debut as Vikings HC but went one and done in the Playoffs losing to the NY Giants.  Vikings have a new defensive coordinator in Brian Flores.  Let’s see how the Vikings look in the second season of Kevin O’Connell.  Could the Bears get a win here in the NFC North?

Week 7 vs Raiders Noon on Fox (10-22-23): Jimmy Garoppolo is the new Raiders quarterback under second year HC Josh McDaniels.  Raiders still have former Packers WR Davante Adams as of right now but maybe he wants a new team after Derek Carr signed with the Saints in the off season.  Raiders still have really good players like Josh Jacobs, Hunter Renfrow on offense along with Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby on defense.

Week 8 at LA Chargers 720  on NBC (10-29-23): Bears head to Inglewood California to take on the explosive LA Chargers offense led by up and coming quarterback Justin Herbert. Chargers have a lot of weapons on offense with the likes of Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, Keenan Allen among others.  On defense they have a scary pass rushing duo of Joey Bosa and former Bears pass rusher Khalil Mack while they have really good secondary with the likes of Derwin James, J.C. Jackson and Asante Samuel Jr.  There should be a lot of Bear fans at Sofi Stadium for this one.

Week 9 at Saints Noon on Fox (11-5-23): Bears will play in the loud Superdome as the Saints have a new quarterback Derek Carr who was previously with the Raiders.  Saints still have a lot of good players with the likes of Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, Marshon Lattimore and Tyrann Mathieu.  I think the Saints with Carr at quarterback should win the wide open NFC South now that Tom Brady is finally retired and the Saints could be a sleeper in the NFC this season.

Week 10 vs Panthers 7:15 on Prime Video (11-9-23): Remember the Bears traded the top pick to the Carolina Panthers where they drafted Bryce Young in this recent NFL Draft. Could top pick Bryce Young be the starting quarterback by the time these 2 teams meet at Soldier Field on Thursday Night or will it be former Bears quarterback Andy Dalton? Frank Reich is in the first season as Panthers HC after being the HC of the Colts in Indianapolis.  New Bears WR D.J. Moore was part of the trade where the Panthers got the top pick in the NFL Draft and Moore was traded to Chicago which gives Justin Fields a much needed weapon.

Week 11 at Lions Noon on Fox (11-19-23): The Detroit Lions came oh so close getting to the Playoffs last season under Dan Campbell who has done an amazing job turning around the Lions.  Lions have a really explosive offense led by Quarterback Jared Goff where the Lions running attack has former Bears running back David Montgomery as the new running back.  Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson had a really good rookie season last season getting 9.5 sacks while also getting 3 interceptions.  I really think the way the Lions ended last season on such a high note can win the NFC North this season where they can be a sleeper in the wide open NFC.

Week 12 at Vikings 7:15 on ESPN (11-27-23):  Will either the Bears or Vikings be in contention for this post Thanksgiving game on Monday Night from Minneapolis? Will Justin Fields be in sync with the Bears by this point in his second year under Luke Getsy the Bears offensive coordinator?

Week 14 vs Lions Noon on Fox (12-10-23): Bears come out of their bye week where the Lions will be coming to the Lake front where this game could have NFC North and playoff implications.  Will the Bears record be improved by this point?

Week 15 at Browns TBD: What will the Cleveland Browns look like now that Quarterback Deshaun Watson will have a full off season under his belt after last season he was suspended 11 games for so many sexual assault allegations? Remember what happened the last time the Bears went to Cleveland in 2021? Justin Fields was sacked 9 times where former top pick Myles Garrett had 4.5 sacks on Fields.  Browns still have a dangerous rushing attack led by Nick Chubb.  Hopefully Justin Fields has a better game the last time he played in Cleveland against the Browns.

Week 16 vs Cardinals 325on Fox (12-24-23): The Chicago Bears should win this game, who knows if Cardinals Quarterback Kyler Murray will be back after suffering an ACL injury late last season.  I think the Cardinals will be in the running for the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.  Former Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon is new the HC of the Arizona Cardinals where he walks into a very tough situation.

Week 17 vs Falcons Noon on Fox (12-31-23):  Who will be the Falcons starting quarterback Desmond Ridder or Taylor Heinicke? Falcons will run the ball a lot with Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson and rookie running back Bijan Robinson.  Can the Bears get 2 wins in a row before the season finale at Lambeau Field against the Packers?

 

Week 18 at Packers TBD: Will this game have any meaning for either the Bears or Packers in the season finale?  Will the Bears be improved? What will the Packers look like with Jordan Love in his first full season as the Packers starting quarterback? Time will tell.