A Quick Look at the Chicago Bears’ Remaining Schedule

Nov 17

Photo Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The Chicago Bears have a 3-7 record going into Week 11 of the NFL season. This comes after beating the Carolina Panthers 16-13 in a slugfest for the defense.

With that in mind, this is a perfect time before the holiday season to look over the rest of the Chicago Bears’ schedule and really see what their floor and ceiling could be.

Detroit Lions (Twice)

On Nov. 19 and two weeks later, the Chicago Bears take on the Detroit Lions. Once at Soldier Field, and the other on the road at Ford Field in Detroit. The Lions have the second-ranked offense in the league averaging 406.4 yards per game (YDS/G). I do not believe the Bears could beat them in either environment, especially on the road. This also coincides with the fact that the Lions’ defense is ranked ninth in the league, averaging 310.7 YDS/G. That’s two losses that will give the team a 3-8 record after these games.

Minnesota Vikings

Photo Credit: Carlos Gonzalez, Star Tribune

The Vikings are riding on a lot of momentum thanks to quarterback Joshua Dobbs. He has really come in and turned the season around for the team. The Vikings currently have the 10th best offense in the league averaging 358.1 YPG, they also have the third-best passing offense in the league averaging. While the Bears managed to keep it close the last time, with Dobb’s coming-out party continuing, it is unclear what the final score could be. I believe a revamped Bears team with QB Justin Fields could beat the Vikings assuming wide receiver Justin Jefferson is still out with an injury. If not then there’s little chance.

So as of now, the Bears will likely win that game which will give the team a 4-9 record considering the two losses to the Lions.

Cleveland Browns

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The Browns are now without QB Deshaun Watson for the rest of the season. So that gives the Bears a chance considering the Browns offense is ranked 17th in the NFL averaging 333.2 YDS/G. The only strength of the Browns’ offense is their running game which is second in the league, averaging 147.9 YDS/G. The Bears have the second-best run defense in the league averaging 76 YDS/G allowed.

The main issue for the Browns is obviously their defense. The Browns have the best defense in the league averaging 242.7 YDS/G allowed. They also have the best pass defense in the league averaging 151.1 YDS/G allowed. So the Bears will have a rough time against that defense. However, the team could get enough points to give them a win, or the defense could force the Browns to settle for field goals.

In a toss-up game here, the Bears will either have a 5-9 record or a 4-10 on a loss.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are the team that many fans would prefer the Bears to lose to in order to increase our draft odds rather than win against.

The Cardinals offense is ranked 25th in the league averaging 295.9 YDS/G. Meanwhile, their defense is ranked 22nd in the NFL averaging 342.6 YDS/G allowed. So the Bears should have an easy time against the Cardinals giving Chicago a 6-9 record as their ceiling and a 4-11 record as their floor.

Atlanta Falcons

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The Atlanta Falcons are a tricky team to get a read on. They have the eighth-ranked defense in the league, averaging 308.8 YDS/G allowed. Their passing defense is ranked 10th in the league averaging 200.4 YDS/G allowed.

Yet their offense and its subsequent weapons are criminally underutilized. Their offense is ranked 15th in the league averaging 335.3 YDS/G and their passing offense is ranked 21st in the league averaging 204.9 YDS/G. It’s likely the Bears can get a win out of this and improve to seven wins as the ceiling with a record of 7-9 as the ceiling, with 4-12 as the floor.

Green Bay Packers

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The Packers - like the Falcons - are a confusing team. The difference is, they have no offensive line to speak of due to injuries.

Currently, their offense is ranked 21st in the league averaging 311 YDS/G. Meanwhile, their defense is ranked 11th in the league averaging 320.6 YDS/G allowed. The Bears could have trouble with scoring in Lambeau but I believe the Bears could pull away with a win.

The Chicago Bears’ final record ceiling would be 8-9 with their floor record coming out to 4-13.

James Stowell III

Sports Media Intern for PSF. James covers the Chicago Bears and the NFC North division. However, he also occasionally covers the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks in the NBA and NHL.