Why Remainder of 2011 Schedule Looks Bright for Bears
Published by Eric Smith on November 18, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
No game is a guaranteed win in the NFL these days, but the Chicago Bears have some favorable games left in the final seven weeks of the season.
Only two of the final seven matchups are against a team with a winning record right now.
Outside of the 9-0 Green Bay Packers, the remaining combined record for the Bears opponents is 22-32.
They play all four AFC West teams the next four games, then have a matchup against the NFC West Seattle Seahawks the following week. All five of those games are wins if the Bears play typical Bears football.
This Sunday, they play a struggling San Diego Chargers team who enters Soldier Field on a four game losing streak. Phillip Rivers, who leads the league in interceptions and sacks, is sure to throw at least one pick with the Bears pressure. I don’t see this game being close.
Next week they travel to Oakland to take on a Raiders team who was struggling before last Thursday’s matchup with San Diego. The Raiders are run heavy and I think the Bears should have no problem stopping the Raiders run attack.
Also, the Raiders defense struggles badly, and they lead the league in penalties. The Bears will bring pressure and force you into mistakes. Favor Chicago in this one.
The following week, a banged up Kansas City Chiefs team travels to Chicago. The Chiefs will have no answer for the Bears since losing their starting quarterback, running back and defensive back all to season ending injuries.
Following the Chiefs game, the Bears travel to Denver to take on Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. Once again, the Broncos are run heavy and the Bears have the personnel to stop that. The Broncos won’t have resistance for the Bears run game and Cutler should thrive in the passing game.
The last of the West coast teams the Bears will play is the Seattle Seahawks. The Bears had no problems against Seattle last year in the playoffs and should have no problem against them again. The Seahawks are worse than last season, so I don’t see the Bears dropping this one at home.
That could put Chicago 11-3 with seven straight wins heading into the Christmas night matchup in Lambeau against division rival Packers.
The last game of the season is against a current two-win team Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are horribly bad right now and the Bears beat them in week six 39-10.
Worst case scenario the Bears end the season 12-4. That will be enough for the top wild card spot in the NFC.
Depending on what the Packers do, and I know it’s a long shot, but the Bears could once again win the NFC North with a 13-3 record. They will need to beat the Packers in Lambeau which will be tough, but it could happen.
Also, the Packers still have road matchups against Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, and then travel to play the NFC East leading New York Giants as well.
If the Bears do win out that puts them in a tie for the division championship.
They can thank this easy schedule to close out the season.
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