During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Chicago Bears easiest games are the focus.
Chicago Bears Easiest Games in 2016
9. Week 3 @ Dallas Cowboys
A week 3 match-up against the Dallas Cowboys will be the toughest of the first three games to open the 2016 season. Questions remain around the overall health and effectiveness of Tony Romo, who will be 36 this season. Dez Bryant and rookie Ezekiel Elliott should provide some firepower for the Cowboys, but questions remain on the defensive side of the ball. This might be a high scoring game, but one that should be winnable for the Bears.
10. Week 4 vs. Detroit Lions
Hosting the Detroit Lions in week four wraps up the first quarter of the season. This will be the first NFC North game of the season for the Bears and John Fox should have his team ready to play. Calvin Johnson’s retirement will have a noticeable effect on the Lions, and the Bears should be able to reap some of the early benefits of Megatron’s absence.
11. Week 11 @ New York Giants
The New York Giants are a team that has been so up and down the past couple of years that it is hard to really predict where they will end up this year. For now, the Bears have to be considered the better team. Quarterback Eli Manning’s play the last couple of years has been inconsistent. Considering the fact that Manning has never had a full season in which he did not throw double digit interceptions, expect the trend to continue and for the Bears to capitalize.
12. Week 6 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a promising young team, but Gus Bradley’s team is just not quite ready yet. They should be more competitive in a weak AFC South but outside of their division will likely be tough on them. Blake Bortles is a potential star in the making and has weapons around him to develop into a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback. However, the team is young and could still be a year or two away from competing.
13. Week 12 vs. Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans will visit the Bears in week 12. Marcus Mariota will look to build on a promising rookie campaign, however the team is thin in other areas. If Mariota progresses much better than most are expecting, this game could go a different way. This is still a team that finished 3-13 last year and has a lot of holes to fill. The Titans may be so far out of it by week 12 that their veterans are on cruise control.
14. Week 1 @ Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are another team of mystery this coming season. Their big ticket signings this year included Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller, both of which should fit the Texans schemes very well. However, if Osweiler is called upon to lead the Texans from behind, they may find themselves on the losing end more often than not. Add in the fact that J.J. Watt will either not be playing or be hampered due to off-season back surgery, and this should be a win for John Fox’s squad to start the 2016 season.
15. Week 2 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (MNF)
The Philadelphia Eagles are a team that a lot of people are still trying to figure out. Their quarterback room features Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel and 2016 second overall pick Carson Wentz. If the Eagles decide to start Bradford, this game could potentially be closer despite Bradford never realizing his full potential in the NFL. If the Eagles go with the rookie, the Bears should be able to easily win. Despite who the starting quarterback is, a home opener on Monday Night Football should be a sure win for the Bears.
16. Week 13 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Simply put, the San Francisco 49ers are a mess. Their starting quarterback has not been determined and their options are former first round bust Blaine Gabbert or the broken Colin Kaepernick. This should be as close to a guaranteed win for the Bears that you can get this season, especially in the blistering cold of December at Soldier Field.
Make sure you also check out Chicago’s eight hardest games.
