Bear of a Schedule

By Mike Maguire | Apr 12, 6:20 AM

The NFL released their schedules for the 2007-2008 NFL season on Wednesday, and long story short, our Chicago Bears will not have an easy road back to the postseason. The Bears mission to return to the Super Bowl begins with a stern test against the Chargers in San Diego, ends with an engagement with the Saints, and (on paper) it doesn’t look like there are many pushover dates in the middle either. Dates against the Chiefs, Broncos, Cowboys, Eagles, Seahawks, Giants, and Redskins highlight the Bears difficult lineup of opponents. If the Bears plan on playing football in January, beating up on the NFC Central again is an absolute must.

As a reward for their Super Bowl run last season, the Bears have 5 primetime dates already etched into their itinerary for 2007… however, only one of those evening affairs will be played in Soldier Field. The 2007 Bears will not only have to play most of their primetime games on the road, but they will also be playing the entire season with a big, visible bulls-eye on their backs. This Bears team is not going to sneak up on anybody in 2007, and if they’re serious about returning to the playoffs, they are going to have to be a better, more complete football team than the Super-Bears of 2006-2007.

Also, if you are a fan of the time honored tradition of the Bears playing football at noon on Sundays, you are in for a big change. Of the Bears 16 games, 10 are schedule to start at 3:00 or later.

The 2006 Bears complained often of a lack of respect. If the 2007 Bears can navigate this beastly schedule and land in the playoffs once again, the respect that they covet from around the league will be earned in full.

Mike_m@chitowndailynews.org

Tagged: Bears