Chicago Bears 2012 Schedule: Predicting the Outcome Week by Week

The NFL released each team's 17-week schedule today, and with that comes an array of predictions from fans and experts alike.  

The Chicago Bears' schedule is favorable, playing teams whose winning percentage is just under a .500, giving the Bears one of the easier schedules in the NFL (though the Green Bay Packers do own the second easiest schedule in the NFL).

Let's take a week-by-week look of the Chicago Bears' matchups and who I predict will win the contest.

Week 1: Indianapolis

With a rookie QB playing under the pressure of being touted as the best quarterback to come out of the draft since Peyton Manning, the veteran Bears defense will look to rattle Luck's cage.

Consider that with the fact that the Colt's defense is nothing to lose sleep over, and the Bears are looking at an easy Week 1 win.

Prediction: Win; Bears move to 1-0.

Week 2: At Green Bay

In Week 2, the Bears face their biggest challenge of the season in the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Considering the fact that the Bears are working with a new offensive coordinator and it's just Week 2, I don't see the Bears being able to overcome the high powered offense of the Packers.

Prediction: Loss; Bears fall to 1-1.

Week 3: St.Louis

The St. Louis Rams come to Soldier Field in Week 3 in a matchup that should actually be pretty entertaining.

Despite Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson's efforts, the Bears' defensive line is simply too much for the Rams' offensive line.

Prediction: Win; Bears move to 2-1.

Week 4: At Dallas

The Bears travel to Dallas to face off with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4.

Against the Cowboys, the Bears begin to gel, and Cutler leads the Bears to a big victory in Dallas.

And remember the last time we played the Cowboys?  Jay Cutler thew for three touchdowns on his way to posting a QB rating of 136.7.

Prediction: Win; Bears move to 3-1.

Week 5: At Jacksonville

In Week 5, the Bears head to Florida to play Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Despite being a first-round selection the year before, Blaine Gabbert simply makes too many mistakes against an opportunistic Bears defense.

Prediction: Win; Bears move to 4-1.

Week 6: BYE

The Chicago Bears get some much needed rest come Week 6.

Week 7: Detroit

In what is sure to be one of the most watched games of Week 7, the Bears travel to Detroit to square off with the Lions.

Last time the Bears and Lions played, there was a heated exchange between Cutler and Suh and a fight that nearly cleared both benches caused by Matthew Stafford and DJ Moore.  

With the Bears on a four-game win streak and at home, the Lions can't stop the Bears and Jay Cutler.

Prediction: Win; Bears move to 5-1.

Week 8: Carolina

Last season, Cam Newton shredded the Bears' defense for 374 yards passing and in Week 8, it will probably turn into another shoot out.

Fortunately, the second time around, the Bears' defense knows what they're up against in Cam Newton and are prepared for him.  In what looks to be a high-scoring game, the Bears extend their win streak to five.

Prediction: Win, Bears move to 6-1.

Week 9: At Tennessee

Following a win against the Panthers, the Bears travel to Tennessee to play the Titans in Week 9.

It's still too early to tell if CJ2K (Chris Johnson) will be back to his 2,000 yard self, but I think regardless the Bears come out of Tennessee with a win.

Prediction: Win; Bears move to 7-1.

Week 10: Houston.

The explosive offense of the Houston Texans comes to Chicago in a Week 10 matchup.

The Texans have too many weapons for the Bears defense to contain and, because of this, snap the Bears' eight-game win streak.

Prediction: Loss; Bears fall to 7-2.

Week 11: At San Francisco

Following a painful loss to the Texans, the Bears travel to San Francisco in a bout of two great linebackers, Brian Urlacher and Patrick Willis.

Despite the 49ers' lack of offensive weapons, their defense keeps them in this game until the very end and eventually topple the Chicago Bears.

Prediction: Loss; Bears fall to 7-3.

Week 12: Minnesota

Following two painful losses in a row, the Bears host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12.

In two career games against the Bears, Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder has thrown for just 127 yards total.  This should be an easy victory following back-to-back losses for the Chicago Bears.

Prediction: Win; Bears move to 8-3.

Week 13: Seattle

In Week 13, the Bears host the Seattle Seahawks and Aaron Rodgers' former back-up, Matt Flynn.

While Matt Flynn displays why he was a sought-after free agent, the Seahawks just don't have enough weapons to put pressure on the Chicago Bears' defense.

Prediction: Win, Bears move to 9-3.

Week 14: At Minnesota

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

The Bears travel to Minnesota to play their final game against the Vikings in Week 14.

Despite playing the Vikings at home, the Bears' offense, led by Jay Cutler, is able to easily beat the Vikings' weak secondary.

Prediction: Win; Bears move to 10-3.

Week 15: Green Bay

The moment the Chicago Bears have been waiting for since Week 2 comes during a Week 15 rematch against the Green Bay Packers.

It's a high-scoring game that the Bears are in until the very end, but unfortunately the Packers come out the victors as they hand the Chicago Bears just their fourth loss of the season.

Prediction: Loss; Bears fall to 10-4.

Week 16: At Arizona

With just two weeks left in the regular season, the Bears finish with two consecutive road games.

In Week 16, the Bears travel to Arizona where they dismantle the Cardinals.

Prediction: Win; Bears move to 11-4.

Week 17: At Detroit

In the final game of the regular season, the Bears travel to Detroit for a rematch against the Lions.

It's an intensely physical game by both teams and it comes down to the wire, but the Lions' Megatron is too much for the Bears' secondary to handle.

Prediction: Loss; Bears fall to 11-5.

Final Prediction

The Chicago Bears played a heck of a regular season, and because of that, their season doesn't end there.  

Despite not winning the NFC North over the Green Bay Packers, the Bears earn a Wild Card and make the playoffs.

Regular season prediction: 11-5.