2023 Chicago Bears schedule analysis

On Thursday night, the NFL released the complete Bears schedule. Per NFL research, Bears opponents had a 143-145-1 record in 2022, making their 2023 schedule the 14th easiest in the NFL, tied with division-rival the Minnesota Vikings. 

Circle the dates: Week 11 at Detroit Lions (Nov. 19) and Week 12 at Minnesota Vikings (Nov. 27)

The question on everyone's mind heading into the 2023 campaign is if the Bears and dynamic young quarterback Justin Fields are ready to compete in the evolving NFC North. The answer will probably become a lot clearer after two challenging divisional road games near the middle of the Bears' schedule. 

The Bears will travel to take on the buzzworthy Detroit Lions and defending division champion Minnesota Vikings back to back in Weeks 11 and 12. 

The Lions are trending upwards, and by Week 11, they could be near or at the top of the division. Meanwhile, the Vikings enter the season as the class of the North and have won four straight against the Bears heading into 2023. 

Toughest stretch: Weeks 2-5

Chicago won't enter the 2023 season as one of the favorites for, well, anything. However, if they hope to compete in the NFC North, they'll have to win the games they should. 

After their opener at home against the hated Packers, the Bears will face an early challenge, going on the road for three of four games. 

Of the Bears' four opponents in that stretch, only the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs finished with a winning record in 2022. 

Chicago will face the Tom Brady-less Tampa Bay Buccaneers first before an extremely tough matchup at Arrowhead against the Chiefs. 

Following the Bears' date with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, they'll host Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos before wrapping up the stretch back on the road against the Washington Commanders on "Thursday Night Football." 

Taking away Kansas City's 14-3 mark, the Buccaneers, Broncos and Commanders finished a combined 21-29-1. So, three of four contests are winnable for the Bears, who need a hot start if they hope to keep pace with the Vikings and Lions early on. 

Easiest stretch: Weeks 15-18 

It's tough to find a stretch of games that qualifies as easy for a team like the Bears. However, if the Bears stay competitive throughout the season, their reward could be a breezy end to the 2023 season. 

After their second and final game against the Lions, the Bears will close the year against four non-playoff teams, the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and Packers. 

Cleveland may have Deshaun Watson leading the charge, but they're still the Browns. Also, the Bears have been successful against Cleveland, winning three of the last four contests. 

After the Browns, the Bears will host the Cardinals and first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon before another home contest against the Falcons for second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder's first trip to Soldier Field. 

Chicago will close the regular season at Lambeau Field, a house of horrors for the Bears. However, this time around, Aaron Rodgers won't be there to haunt them. Losers of seven straight in Green Bay, the Bears may be primed to snap the dubious streak. 

After five games, the Bears will be: 3-2

A hot start is crucial to the Bears' success this season, but they'll have to settle for a mediocre one. 

Barring a miracle, the Bears won't come away from Kansas City with a win over the defending champs, so we can count that as a loss. 

Opening the season at home against the Jordan Love-led Packers has win written all over it. Next comes the tough stretch with three of four on the road, but getting two wins out of that stretch is possible.

Throwing away the Chiefs game, it's not hard to believe that the Bears can come away with two wins out of games against the Buccaneers, Broncos and Commanders. 

If the Bears can navigate the early challenge in their schedule, they could be on their way to a surprising season.