The angel that was on the Chicago Bears’ shoulder pads last season certainly wasn’t in the room when NFL administrators were putting together the team's 2011 schedule.
Their schedule that was released Tuesday is going to make it more difficult for the Bears and it ultimately might cost them a game or two. There are potholes all along the road to the postseason.
The first one comes in August, when the Bears have to play a fifth preseason game. An extra game means more wear and tear on players and more exposure to potential injury.
Then comes the start of the regular season. The Bears’ first three opponents -- the Falcons, Saints and Packers -- had a combined winning percentage last season of .708. Going 0-3 to start the year is a distinct possibility.
The Bears were given four night games, three of them in a brutal four-game stretch that includes a trip to London. An overseas trip by itself usually takes a toll on a team.
This stretch is going to wreak havoc with the Bears’ body clocks and their routines. NFL teams hate to have their routines disrupted, and sometimes respond by coming unraveled.
Finally, the Bears finish the season with games against their two primary rivals, the Packers and Vikings. Both games are on the road. Both are on holidays -- the Packers on Christmas and the Vikings on New Year’s Day.
Sun, Sep 11: CHI @ Atlanta Falcons vs Atlanta 1:00 pm EDT
FOX 2Sun, Sep 18: CHI @ New Orleans Saints @ New Orleans 1:00 pm EDT
FOX 3Sun, Sep 25: CHI @ Green Bay Packers vs Green Bay 4:15 pm EDT
FOX 4Sun, Oct 2: CHI @ Carolina Panthers vs Carolina 1:00 pm EDT
FOX 5Mon, Oct 10: CHI @Detroit Lions @ Detroit 8:30 pm EDT
ESPN 6Sun, Oct 16: CHI @ Minnesota Vikings vs Minnesota 8:20 pm EDT
NBC 7Sun, Oct 23: CHI @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Tampa Bay 1:00 pm EDT
FOX 8Bye
9Mon, Nov 7: CHI @ Philadelphia Eagles @ Philadelphia 8:30 pm EST
ESPN 10Sun, Nov 13: CHI @ Detroit Lions vs Detroit 1:00 pm EST
FOX 11Sun, Nov 20: CHI @ San Diego Chargers vs San Diego 4:15 pm EST
CBS 12Sun, Nov 27: CHI @ Oakland Raiders @ Oakland 4:05 pm EST
FOX 13Sun, Dec 4: CHI @ Kansas City Chiefs vs Kansas City 1:00 pm EST
CBS 14Sun, Dec 11: CHI @ Denver Broncos @ Denver 4:05 pm EST
FOX 15Sun, Dec 18: CHI @ Seattle Seahawks vs Seattle 1:00 pm EST
FOX 16Sun, Dec 25: CHI @ Green Bay Packers @ Green Bay 8:20 pm EST
NBC 17Sun, Jan 1: CHI @ Minnesota Vikings @ Minnesota 1:00 pm EST
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