Chicago Bears And Detroit Lions Should Open Season on Sunday Night Football

The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions have made an impact in the past couple of offseasons. To show how the NFC North has changed, both teams should open their seasons facing each other in Primetime.

We are one day away from the NFL releasing the 2024 schedule. Chicago Bears fans anxiously await to find out who their team plays at what date.

With all of the moves General Manager Ryan Poles made this offseason, the Bears have become the favorites to be a Cinderella team. Poles has completely revamped the offense, adding many weapons through trades, free-agent signings, and the draft.

Adding quarterback Caleb Williams, who many consider a generational talent, brings a lot of attention to Chicago. Many will want to see him, either have a great career or see him fall on his face. Whatever the case, the Chicago Bears will be a must-see entertainment in 2024.

Last season, it was the Detroit Lions who were the media darlings in the league. After a big run in 2022 fell just short of a playoff appearance, they held the league’s attention in 2023, winning their first division title since 1993. They made it to the NFC Championship game. However, they blew a big lead and could not make it to the Super Bowl.

Now the Chicago Bears are poised to get that attention. In one day, the NFL is about to release the 2024 schedule for every team. It is a big day, since it signals that the season is right around the corner. The Bears are expected to have among the most primetime games.

After an exciting, successful season in 2023, the Lions expect to see a jump in primetime games themselves. After decades of being ignored, people want to see the Lions again.

Both teams should open the season facing each other

With both teams on the rise and making noise in the league again, having them face each other on Sunday Night Football should be a no-brainer. Having last year’s Cinderella team face this year’s Cinderella team would be great for the ratings.

How much better can it get than to have Williams start his career against the defending division champions?

The Bears usually play their first primetime games against their hated rivals, the Green Bay Packers. They have a heated rivalry that spans the history of the league. Things are always testy when they play each other.

The Bears also have rivalries with the other NFC North teams. However, with the Packers and Bears usually being the highest-profile teams in the division, the bulk of the in-division primetime games are when they face each other.

However, seeing how things are changing in the division, having a primetime Chicago Bears/Detroit Lions matchup on primetime to start the season would be great. The division is getting more competitive. There could be three playoff teams in this division this season.

In the past few seasons, the Chicago/Detroit games have been exciting. After years of dominating the Lions, Detroit has been able to not only be competitive but excitingly beat the Bears. There have been some great games played between the two.

Last season, even with a struggling offense, the Chicago Bears should have swept the Lions. They had a commanding lead in their first matchup. However, the Lions had an incredible comeback in the final minutes to pull out the victory.

In their second matchup, it was more of the same. The Bears dominated the games. This time, though, they finished the job and got the victory.

Having both teams open the season on Sunday night would provide the audience with a very entertaining game. It will show that not every big game has to include Green Bay. It would signal a new era in the NFC North