Bears' Win-Loss Predictions for 2023 NFL Season

The Chicago Bears may have bottomed out during the 2022 NFL season, when they finished a league-worst 3-14. But now, the franchise appears to be on the rise, and there's a good chance that will be reflected by its performance during the upcoming 2023 campaign.

On Sept. 10, the Bears will get the new season underway with a home matchup against the Green Bay Packers. From there, Chicago will try to produce better results than it did a year ago, leaning on its core of young, improving players in the process.

Even if the Bears aren't a playoff contender during the upcoming season, they should be more competitive. They bolstered their roster over the offseason and brought in another crop of youngsters who should help the team continually improve in the years to come.

Here's a look at Chicago's 2023 regular-season schedule, followed by analysis regarding the team's outlook and predictions for how it will fare.

Bears' 2023 Schedule

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 19: A Chicago Bears helmet sits on the turf prior to the start of a preseason game between the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts on August 19, 2023 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Week 1: vs. Green Bay Packers, Sept. 10 at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 2: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 3: at Kansas City Chiefs, Sept. 24 at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 4: vs. Denver Broncos, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 5: at Washington Commanders, Oct. 5 at 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video

Week 6: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 7: vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 8: at Los Angeles Chargers, Oct. 29 at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC

Week 9: at New Orleans Saints, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 10: vs. Carolina Panthers, Nov. 9 at 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video

Week 11: at Detroit Lions, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 12: at Minnesota Vikings, Nov. 27 at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN

Week 13: Bye

Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 15: at Cleveland Browns, Dec. 17 at TBD

Week 16: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Dec. 24 at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 17: vs. Atlanta Falcons, Dec. 31 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 18: at Green Bay Packers, Jan. 7 at TBD

Analysis and Expectations

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)

In 2018, the Bears captured the NFC North title by finishing 12-4. Since then, they have failed to post a winning record in any of the past four seasons (although they made the playoffs at 8-8 in 2020). They've gone a combined 9-25 over the past two years.

So it's going to take some time for Chicago to rebuild, although it's doing a good job so far. Quarterback Justin Fields made huge strides in his 2022 sophomore campaign, and it should be exciting to see how he performs with an improved receiving corps surrounding him, one that includes top wide receiver DJ Moore.

On defense, the Bears complemented their young pieces with the free-agent signings of defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. Those veterans should be strong contributors who can also serve as veteran leaders.

The NFC North has the potential to be competitive. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, none of the four teams are heavy favorites to win the division, with the Lions (+140; bet $100 to win $140), Vikings (+275), Packers (+400) and Bears (+400) having reasonable chances.

It would still be an upset for Chicago to win the division, or even to make the playoffs (+155, per DraftKings Sportsbook). But anything is possible, especially if the Bears' young core all begins to click at the same time.

Still, Chicago fans should temper their expectations for the 2023 season, with the larger picture (2024 and beyond) in mind.

Predictions

AP Photo/Erin Hooley

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Darnell Mooney (11) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

The Bears could get off to a strong start, as matchups against the Packers (Week 1) and the Buccaneers (Week 2) aren't as fearsome with quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady no longer on those teams. But things will get more challenging for Chicago as it goes, especially with a Week 3 road matchup vs. the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs.

Still, there are plenty of winnable games on the Bears' schedule, especially over the final four weeks, when they'll take on the Browns, Cardinals, Falcons and Packers. If Chicago can get to that point with a solid record, maybe it will remain in the postseason mix to the finish.

DraftKings Sportsbook has the over/under for the Bears' win total set at 7.5, and it's not unreasonable to think they exceed that mark. That could especially be the case if Fields takes another big step forward and continues to prove he can be a franchise QB.

Either the Lions or the Vikings should win the NFC North, but the Bears are going to play their division competition tough. They have too many solid players on both sides of the ball to not fare better than they did in 2022.

But Chicago isn't quite yet to a playoff-caliber level at this point. And because of that, it will fall a bit short of a .500 season and a postseason berth.

Expect the Bears to impress at times, which will only grow their optimism for 2024.

Prediction: Bears will finish 7-10