The 2014 NFL Schedule was released earlier today, so being the huge Bears fan that I am, I had to take a look for myself. The one major thing that stuck out in my mind is just how tough their away games are. I mean freaking brutal. I expected the Bears to have a tough schedule considering they have to play the AFC East, and NFC South but the Bears schedule is just insane. Let's take a look at the Bears away games:
September 14, at San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers have been to three straight NFC Championship games, have the best coach in the game, a great defense, and an offense that can move the ball.
September 22, at New York Jets: This is by far and away the easiest away game of the Bears schedule. While I personally don't think the Jets will be that good in 2014, if Geno Smith takes a huge leap forward and Eric Decker and Chris Johnson turn out to be great additions, then the Jets will be a tough team to play.
October 5, at Carolina Panthers: Last year the Panthers finished 1st in the NFC South, earned the #2 seed in the NFC playoffs, have a tough defense, and one of the best quarterbacks in the game.
October 12, at Atlanta Falcons: While I have never been that big of a fan of Matt Ryan's Falcons, even when they kept finishing 1st in the division, they have always been a very good team at home. Plus, after the terrible season the Falcons had in 2013, you know they're going to return to "greatness" in 2014.
October 26, at New England Patriots: The Pats are one of the best teams in the NFL. Period. The Bears just have to hope Tom Brady and Bill Belichick injure each other the week before this game.
November 9, at Green Bay Packers: This game comes every year so of course it's no surprise, but unless Aaron Rodgers is injured and out of the game like he was last year, this game is guaranteed loss.
November 27, at Detroit Lions: THE THANKSGIVING GAME! I expect the Lions to come to play.
December 28, at Minnesota Vikings: OK, the Bears SHOULD defeat the Vikings, but never take a division game for granted.
NOT DIVISIONAL HOME GAMES: Buffalo, Miami, Tampa Bay, Dallas, New Orleans. I don't expect any of those teams to be very good, so I wouldn't mind if the Bears played any of them at their home stadium. Also, the Bears face the Cowboys and the 49ers because they all finished second in their division. Of course the easier team (Dallas) they play at home and the tougher team (San Fran) they play away.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CHICAGO BEARS AWAY SCHEDULE?
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