Breaking down the Bears 2024 schedule

With rookie QB and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams leading the charge along with several key offseason acquisitions, the Bears have become a trendy pick to reach the playoffs in 2024. 

Let's break down the 2024 schedule. 

Week 1: vs. Tennessee Titans 

The Bears will open the season at home against the Tennessee Titans, a team that went 6-11 a season ago and enters 2024 with a new head coach in Brian Callahan and no answer at QB. This is a game the Bears will be favored in and it presents a great opportunity to begin the Williams era on the right foot. 

Week 2: at Houston Texans 

Following their home contest against Tennessee, the Bears will travel to Houston to take on a Texans team that will be the favorite in the AFC South and possibly a dark-horse candidate in the AFC. This game will take place on "Sunday Night Football," and all eyes will be on the QB matchup between Williams and C.J. Stroud. Tough test for the Bears in Week 2. 

Week 3: at Indianapolis Colts 

Week 3 presents a third consecutive contest against an AFC South foe. The Colts barely missed the playoffs a season ago and promising young QB Anthony Richardson will return from injury. His ability to make plays with his legs will be a stiff challenge for Chicago's defensive front. 

Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Rams 

The Bears return home for their first in-conference game against the Rams, who went 10-7 and made the playoffs in 2023. Former rival QB Matthew Stafford will return to Chicago for the first time since he was traded from Detroit in 2021. Expect a close, hard-fought matchup here. 

Week 5: vs. Carolina Panthers 

The Bears and Panthers will play at Soldier Field for the second consecutive year. Carolina went 2-15 last season and didn't do much to upgrade in either free agency or the draft. This is a good opportunity for the Bears to get a win at home here with a trip across the pond looming in Week 6. 

Week 6: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (London) 

The last time the Bears made the trip to London in 2019, they left with a discouraging loss to an average Oakland Raiders squad. Proper preparation from head coach Matt Eberflus and staff will be very crucial with the massive time change ahead of them. 

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: at Washington Commanders 

Before the draft, this would have been looked at as one of the worst matchups of Week 8. Now, with Williams and No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels facing off, many potential storylines could emerge here. Though the game will be played in Washington, D.C., expect many Bears fans in the house. 

Week 9: at Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals went 4-13 last season, but head coach Jonathon Gannon will always have his squad playing tough football despite a large talent gap against their NFC West foes. Regardless, an interesting matchup between Williams, Kyler Murray and star wideouts D.J. Moore and Marvin Harrison Jr. could be a fun watch. 

Week 10: vs. New England Patriots 

The last time the Patriots came to the Windy City, Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski were still tearing up opposing defenses on their way to another Super Bowl victory. Now, those guys are long gone and New England enters the season with many question marks and a new head coach in Jerod Mayo. If the Bears want to be considered a playoff contender, then they'll have to win games like these. 

Week 11: vs. Green Bay Packers 

In a bizarre scheduling twist, this will be the first divisional game of the season for the Bears, and it comes against their longtime rivals. Chicago hasn't beaten Green Bay since 2018 and was dominated in both matchups last season. Both teams should have an eye towards the postseason, and a win will do wonders for both teams. If Williams can beat the Packers in his first start, then this rivalry could be competitive again. This contest begins a stretch where the Bears will have six of their final eight games against divisional opponents. 

Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings 

Minnesota comes to town in Week 12, and things will be looking a bit different. Kirk Cousins was traded to the Falcons in the offseason, and the team drafted former Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy with the tenth overall pick in the draft. But even with some of the new additions, the Vikings have star wide receiver Justin Jefferson for another year. This game is scheduled for an afternoon kick, but I can see it being flexed into prime time if both teams are in the playoff picture. 

Week 13: at Detroit Lions 

Chicago and Detroit will once again meet on Thanksgiving for what should be a terrific matchup between these two longtime rivals. The Lions won the division a season ago and are dreaming of the Super Bowl after coming up inches short last year. Both rosters feature plenty of firepower and should provide a terrific feast for football fans. 

Week 14: at San Francisco 49ers 

Following four consecutive divisional games, the Bears will hit the road to take on the defending NFC champion 49ers, who look to finally get over the Super Bowl hump. This will be the toughest test of the season for Chicago and one where I can't see a scenario where they win this game. 

Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings 

The Bears complete their season series with the Vikings on "Monday Night Football." It will be only three weeks removed from their previous meeting, so many of the same potential storylines might remain as the season enters its final stretch. Classic "MNF" battle here. 

Week 16: vs. Detroit Lions 

Detroit makes the return trip to Chicago in Week 16 and hopes to fare better than their last visit, a 28-13 Bears victory. If the weather forecast calls for snow and/or strong winds, then the advantage goes to Chicago here. This potentially could be a must-win game for the playoff race for either team and result in a possible primetime slot. 

Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks 

The last non-divisional game in this stretch as well as the home finale features the Seahawks, who look to reach the playoffs after just missing out on them in 2023. Fun late-season matchup at Soldier Field. 

Week 18: at Green Bay Packers 

Well, it's the Packers and Bears on the final week of the season yet again. Both clubs met in Week 18 last year, and Green Bay clinched an improbable trip to the playoffs with a 17-9 triumph. With the game being played in northern Wisconsin, there will most likely be snow in the air and on the ground. If Williams and the Bears play to their potential this season, then this has all the makings of an instant classic.