November and December have been cruel months to the Chicago Bears schedule over the past six years. Since 2011 the team has a combined 19-32 record in those two months. Along with an 0-2 mark in early January games they are 19-34 during the second half of their schedule in that span. The last time they had a winning record in over that stretch was 2010 when they went 7-2. It wasn’t a coincidence they made the playoffs as a result.
The 2017 Bears seem like a group growing in confidence. After finishing 3-13 last year they’re already at that same win total halfway through this year. There is a belief that if they can come out of the bye week strong there’s a chance they can make a run at the playoffs. Or at least a winning record. At 3-5 this means they’d need to go at least 6-2 over the final eight games to pull it off.
Can they? Perhaps it’s time to review the schedule ahead armed with the latest information. Each game will be pinpointed and a prediction made as to the outcome that should be expected.
Chicago Bears 2017 second half schedule:
November 12th – vs. Green Bay Packers
This would’ve been a loss a month ago but things change fast in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone in Minnesota. The man most directly responsible for the Packers’ dominance of Chicago over the past decade is now out of the picture. The last three times the Bears have played a Rodgers-less Packers team, they’ve won. Mike McCarthy is still a good head coach and will keep the game close but this game feels almost inevitable. Bears win (4-5)
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November 19th – vs. Detroit Lions
The Bears actually defeated the Lions at Soldier Field last year. There’s no reason to think they can’t do it again. It’s virtually the same Detroit team that funnels all of their success through Matthew Stafford. Considering how improved the Bears defense is, it’s not hard to imagine them suffocating the Lions attack. Also they’ve lost three-straight games. This feels like a team that is on the cusp of spiraling out of control. Bears win (5-5)
November 26th – at Philadelphia Eagles
A reunion with Alshon Jeffery is in store here. The Eagles are the hottest team in the NFL right now. Everything is clicking. The defense remains a strong point and quarterback Carson Wentz is a favorite to win MVP. If that weren’t enough they’re also a perfect 4-0 at home. This just feels like a bad matchup. Chicago would need a concerted effort from their offense to have a chance and at this stage it doesn’t feel realistic. Bears lose (5-6)
December 3rd – vs. San Francisco 49ers
Facing a team with one of the worst records in the NFL is always a welcome sign. Where it gets interesting though is Chicago may be the first team to see the 49ers unveil their new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Is that enough to overcome the other problems San Francisco has on that roster? Well if Blaine Gabbert can win a game at Soldier Field, it’s important not to get cocky. Still the 49ers have one of the worst run defenses in the league. It should be a big day for Jordan Howard. Bears win (6-6)
December 10th – at Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are another of those teams that is difficult to figure out. There are times they look like a playoff contender with assorted offensive weapons and dominant defense. Then they wet the bed against opponents they should crush. This past week they narrowly escaped a humiliating upset at home against the Indianapolis Colts. If nothing else this proves they’re a team that can be had if the Bears play a complete game. Unfortunately that is not a likely scenario with John Fox as head coach. Bears lose (6-7)
December 16th – at Detroit Lions
The rematch at Ford Field is bound to be interesting. The Lions have had a hard time winning there this season. Chicago actually almost got it done there a year ago, holding a 17-13 lead in the fourth quarterback. A late Detroit touchdown allowed them to escape but it was further proof that the Bears have no reason to fear them in that dome. All that said it’s hard to beat a quarterback like Stafford twice in a row. Bears lose (6-8)
December 24th – vs. Cleveland Browns
A Christmas eve clash with what might be the most dysfunctional organization in professional sports. The Browns are a mess. Not only have they lost 23 of their last 24 games, but a botched trade on Halloween revealed a serious divide in their power structure between the coaches and front office. That trickles down the players and their performance on the field. Can Cleveland overcome that to win a game in cold Soldier Field? Not impossible but it doesn’t seem likely. Bears win (7-8)
December 31st – at Minnesota Vikings
Let’s face it. The Bears have a hard time winning in Minnesota. They haven’t won a gave there since the 2011 season. That was when Joe Webb was their quarterback. The Vikings are a better team now and have clobbered Chicago 76-27 over the past two meetings up there. So unless they’ve already wrapped up the division and are cruise control going into the playoffs, it doesn’t feel like the Bears can muster the necessary output to pull off an upset. Bears lose (7-9)
