We break down Bears’ 2021 schedule
Bears have difficult slate, starting with Rams in prime time
The buzz around the Bears is mostly swirling around the possibility of what rookie quarterback Justin Fields could become. That will unfold eventually, but for now the Bears face a tough road to the playoffs this season.
They have the third-hardest schedule based on opponents’ 2020 winning percentage (.550). They’ll take on the defending champion Buccaneers, perennial contenders in the Seahawks and Steelers, plus their usual two games against the Packers.
Here’s a look at the entire schedule, which came out Wednesday:
Week 1: at Rams
Sunday, Sept. 12, 7:20 p.m., Ch. 5
This is a brutal opener. The Rams allowed the fewest points in the NFL last season, and Aaron Donald won Defensive Player of the Year. Then they added quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Week 2: vs. Bengals Sunday, Sept. 19, noon, Fox-32
Andy Dalton spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Bengals and thumped them 30-7 last December.
Week 3: at Browns Sunday, Sept. 26, noon, Fox-32
The Bears are scheduled to face every No. 1 draft pick from 2016 through ‘20, including Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield (2018) and Myles Garrett (2017).
Week 4: vs. Lions Sunday, Oct. 3, noon, Fox-32
With turnover at the top and trading for Jared Goff, the Lions are sure to take a step backward — which is really saying something.
Week 5: at Raiders Sunday, Oct. 10, 3:05 p.m., Ch. 2
The Raiders debuted at Allegiant Stadium, just off the Las Vegas strip, last season. This will be the Bears’ first trip there.
Week 6: vs. Packers Sunday, Oct. 17, noon, Fox-32
Whether it’s Dalton, Justin Fields or Nick Foles, he’ll be the eighth Bear to start at quarterback against the Packers since 2008.
Week 7: at Buccaneers Sunday, Oct. 24, 3:25 p.m., Ch. 2
The Bears upended the Bucs in Chicago early last season, but the Bucs return their entire starting lineup for 2021.
Week 8: vs. 49ers Sunday, Oct. 31, noon, Fox-32
The 49ers went head-to-head with the Bears to sign Dalton, and the Bears managed to hold them off.
Week 9: at Steelers Monday, Nov. 8, 7:15 p.m., ESPN
The Steelers tumbled from an 11-0 start to a first-round exit. This is probably Ben Roethlisberger’s last ride.
Week 10: Bye
The Week 10 bye is ideal. It either gives them a chance to get healthy heading into the final eight games or sets up an opportunity to make Fields their starter.
Week 11: vs. Ravens Sunday, Nov. 21, noon, Ch. 2
The Bears are 4-2 alltime against the Ravens and haven’t lost since 2009. It’ll be their first matchup against former MVP Lamar Jackson.
Week 12: at Lions Thursday, Nov. 26, 11:30 a.m., Fox-32
The Bears are back on Thanksgiving Day after being left out last season. Before that, they won close ones in Detroit in 2018 and ’19.
Week 13: vs. Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 5, noon, Fox-32
The Bears have never faced Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, the top pick of the 2019 draft.
Week 14: at Packers Sunday, Dec. 12, 7:20 p.m., Ch. 5
There’s a decent chance this will be Fields’ first game against the archrival he’s learning to hate.
Week 15: vs. Vikings Monday, Dec. 20, 7:15 p.m., ESPN
The Vikings went 7-9 last season, their defense slid near the bottom of the NFL and Kirk Cousins has plateaued.
Week 16: at Seahawks Sunday, Dec. 26, 3:05 p.m., Fox-32
The Bears wanted Russell Wilson. He wanted to play for them. It was a fruitless pursuit for both sides, and now they’ll square off in a high-stakes, late-season game.
Week 17: vs. Giants Sunday, Jan. 2, noon, Ch. 2
The Giants already helped the Bears out with the draft-day trade that allowed them to pick Fields and might help them record-wise here.
Week 18: at Vikings Sunday, Jan. 9, noon, Fox-32
This game could be two teams going through the motions as they miss the playoffs, or a win-or-go-home finale.