With preseason games about to start and the 2009 NFL regular season just six weeks off, the schedule analysis has begun in earnest. Here’s a look at the Chicago Bears 2009 schedule, including exhibition games, followed by some brief observations.
Chicago Bears 2009 Season Schedule
(Home Games in CAPS/All times CENTRAL Standard Time)
- Sat Aug 15 @ Buffalo Bills (preseason)—6:00 pm
- Sat Aug 22 NEW YORK GIANTS (preseason)—7:00 pm
- Sun Aug 30 @ Denver Broncos (preseason)—7:00 pm
- Thu Sep 3 CLEVELAND BROWNS (preseason)—7:00 pm
- Sun Sep 13 @ Green Bay Packers—7:20 pm
- Sun Sep 20 PITTSBURGH STEELERS—3:15 pm
- Sun Sep 27 @ Seattle Seahawks—3:05 pm
- Sun Oct 4 DETROIT LIONS—12 noon
- Sun Oct 11 **bye week**
- Sun Oct 18 @ Atlanta Falcons—7:20 pm
- Sun Oct 25 @ Cincinnati Bengals—12 noon
- Sun Nov 1 CLEVELAND BROWNS—12 noon
- Sun Nov 8 ARIZONA CARDINALS—12 noon
- Thu Nov 12 @ San Francisco 49ers—7:20 pm
- Sun Nov 22 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES—7:20 pm
- Sun Nov 29 @ Minnesota Vikings—12 noon
- Sun Dec 6 ST. LOUIS RAMS—12 noon
- Sun Dec 13 GREEN BAY PACKERS—12 noon
- Sun Dec 20 @ Baltimore Ravens—12 noon
- Mon Dec 28 MINNESOTA VIKINGS—7:30 pm
- Sun Jan 3 @ Detroit Lions—12 noon
According to the NFL’s strength-of-schedule analysis, the Bears will face the easiest schedule of all teams in 2009. However, as Bucky Brooks of NFL.com convincingly argues, “SOS” has proven to be a deceptive determinant over the few recent seasons it's been used. The NFL is just too unpredictable year to year.
Bears Have Week 5 Bye in 2009
A brief look at the Bears’ upcoming season reveals some interesting points. Opening at Lambeau Field vs. the rival Packers, followed by the home opener against Super Bowl champion Steelers should give Chicago fans a fairly quick indication of what these Cutler-led Bears will look like in 2009. A week-5 bye is a bit early, but may be welcome.
Middle Stretch Looks Promising for Bears
If they can get through that early stretch—which also includes at Seattle and home versus Detroit—the mid-October to mid-November core of the season looks promising: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland & San Francisco. The exception here is Super Bowl would-be champs Arizona. After this stretch, Chicago could reasonably have a 5-3 or even 6-2 record going into the second half of the regular season.
End of Regular Season Tough, But Could Matter
The final third of the season could be rough, with Philly coming to Soldier Field and two games against division champion Minnesota in a month. If the Bears can use their very favorable schedule to their advantage, look for the Monday night holiday-time game against the Vikings to rock…and perhaps to matter.
Dale Van Every - Dale Van Every is a freelance and fiction writer living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He earned his Masters Degree in English Literature from ...
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