Bear Digest

Softer Starts for Chicago's NFC North Rivals Except One

The Bears are not the only team in the NFC North playing a softer part of the schedule first, but one of the teams has the exact opposite situation.

Gene Chamberlain

DJ Moore tries to dodge a tackle after a reception against the Vikings.
DJ Moore tries to dodge a tackle after a reception against the Vikings. / Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
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The Bears are not the only team in the NFC North feeling like they've been smiled upon by league scheduling gods—aka Mike North of the NFL office.

The opponents are already determined based on finish, but the scheduling could greatly help a team trying to break in a rookie quarterback.

It seems the Lions and the Packers both feel the same way.

As for the Minnesota Vikings, it's completely the opposite situation as they have to feel like they not only lost their quarterback but the entire league is ganging up on them.

The Bears get to play Carolina, Washington, Tennesse, Arizona and New England in their first eight games while it's a bit different for the rest of the division.

Here's what FanNation publishers from the rest of the NFC North are saying about their teams' schedules.

RANKING THE FIVE TOUGHEST GAMES ON THE BEARS SCHEDULE

NICK WRIGHT'S STUNNING PREDICTION FOR THE BEARS THIS SEASON

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings' schedule is a tough one, there's no way around that. Based on projected win totals, it's the fifth-toughest schedule in the NFL. Both the Vikings and Bears finished 7-10 last season, but Chicago ended up in last place due to a common games tiebreaker. That resulted in the Bears getting the fourth-place Panthers, Patriots, and Commanders on their 2024 schedule, while the Vikings got the third-place Falcons, Jets, and Giants. Two of those teams will have Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers playing quarterback for them this year.

After opening in New York, the Vikings have a brutal six-game stretch: vs. San Francisco, vs. Houston, at Green Bay, vs. the Jets in London, vs. Detroit, and at the Rams. Five of those six teams are coming off playoff appearances. The other one has Rodgers and an elite defense.

Those are some very tough early tests for whichever of Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy is playing QB for Minnesota. The schedule eases up quite a bit in November, so the Vikings will need to take advantage of that if they're going to be in the playoff hunt. But then things get difficult again down the stretch, with a trip to Seattle followed by games against the Packers and Lions to wrap up the slate. It would be awfully impressive if Kevin O'Connell can get the Vikings to the playoffs, with this schedule, in what looks like a transitional/rebuilding year.

-Will Ragatz, Inside the Vikings

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have the potential to start the 2024 season on a very positive note. Weeks 1-4 provides the team an opportunity to gain early momentum, as Dan Campbell's squad starts the season playing against the Rams, Buccaneers, Cardinals and Seahawks.

Having three early home games should give Detroit a strong chance to start the season 4-0 or 3-1 by the time the bye week occurs in Week 5. Ford Field has become one of the most challenges venues for opponents to come in and have success the past couple of seasons.

The toughest stretch of games for Detroit appears to be Weeks 14-17. Green Bay is arguably the biggest threat to the Lions repeating as NFC North division champions. Detroit will be looking to avenge a disappointing Thanksgiving loss to the Packers by defeating their rival at home on Thursday Night Football in Week 14.

Buffalo is retooling, but they feature one of the games top quarterbacks in Josh Allen, who has beaten Detroit in Ford Field.

Back-to-back game on the road against Chicago (Week 16) and at San Francisco on Monday Night Football (Week 17) will not be easy. If Detroit is to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC, having a successful month of December will be paramount.

-John Maakaron, All Lions

Green Bay Packers

The Packers are situated to start the season fast. They’ll need to capitalize if they’re going to challenge for the division crown.

Afte opening the season in Brazil against the Eagles, the Packers will play three consecutive games against teams that failed to make the playoffs last year: home against the Colts, at the Titans and home against the Vikings. In Week 5, they’ll head to Los Angeles to face the Rams, a team they’ve dominated over the years and will be without Aaron Donald. After that, it’s back home to face the Cardinals. The Packers really need to be 5-1 headed into their Week 7 home game against the rising Texans.

Weeks 12-14 might be the most challenging of the season—not just for the Packers but for any team in the league. In a span of 12 days, the Packers will play three teams that finished a combined 35-16.

In Week 12, the Packers will host the NFC-champion 49ers, who have had their number. In Week 13, they’ll stay home to face the Dolphins on Thanksgiving night. In Week 14, it’s off to Detroit to face the Lions.

The final four opponents aren’t exactly pushovers—at Seattle, home against New Orleans, at Minnesota, home against Chicago—but that three-game gauntlet could make or break the season.

PROJECTING BEARS 2024 SEASON GAME BY GAME

SHANE WALDRON'S PLAN FOR USING ALL HIS BEARS TARGETS

-Bill Huber, Packer Central

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

BearDigest.com publisher Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.