2010 NFL Schedule: Chicago Bears Get No Favors
Published by Bob Warja on April 20, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Bears open at home for the first time in six years when they host the Detroit Lions Sept. 12 at Soldier Field.
Outside of that good piece of news, the schedule doesn’t really do the Bears any favors, as they play four prime-time games on national TV, three of which are on the road.
In case you haven’t noticed, the Bears aren’t especially good on national TV, and few teams are good on the road.
Not only that, but the team has a game against the Bills in Toronto, which will be the Bears’ first regular-season game outside the United States in the franchise’s 90-year history.
Larry Mayer of NFL.com reported the following quote from Lovie Smith:
“We’re excited to start at home this year,” said coach Lovie Smith, who has amassed a 30-18 record at Soldier Field. “It has been a long time since we have opened the season in front of our fans.”
Sure, accentuate the positive, no problem.
But what about the fact that the Bears are forced to play the Cowboys at Dallas on Sept. 19, and then play back-to-back prime-time games?
Further, the one game at home is against the Packers at Soldier Field Sept. 27 on Monday Night Football! They then visit the Giants at New York’s new stadium Oct. 3 on Sunday Night Football.
Think the Giants will be up for that one?
DUH!
And if that wasn’t brutal enough, the Bears also play two games in four days.
They host the Vikings on Nov. 14, and then travel to Miami to play the Dolphins Nov. 18 on Thursday Night Football.
Yikes.
The end of the season is no cake walk either, that’s for sure.
They conclude the season with a difficult stretch against four teams that made the playoffs in 2009 while compiling a combined record of 42-22.
The Bears will host the Patriots Dec. 12, visit the Vikings Dec. 20 on Monday Night Football, and host the Jets Dec. 26 before closing against the Packers on Jan. 2, 2011, in Green Bay.
By praising the schedule, Lovie is taking away one excuse in case the Bears do not do well. That is surprising and somewhat refreshing, since his job depends on a winning season.
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