2012 NFL Schedule Thoughts for the Lions, Packers, Bears and Vikings

Can you hear it?

Listen closely...that's right, a chorus of angels has begun to sing!

"A SCHEDULE! A SCHEDULE!" they cry in joyous voices.

Maybe not, but the buildup sure did feel that way.

I'll have a closer look at all the teams over the next few days, but first, here are some broad thoughts.

Chicago Bears

Three Monday Night games and a Thursday Night affair against the Packers in Week 2.

Think the NFL believes a healthy Jay Cutler means the Bears will rebound?

The Cowboys in Week 4,Texans in Week 10 and 49ers in Week 11 are definitely must-see matchups.

The Panthers on October 28 (Week 8) is also an intriguing one, especially if their defense shows up this season.

It's not an easy schedule by any means, but it's a schedule where at a glance, I can see eight games I think they win no problem (Colts, Rams, Jags, Titans, Vikings twice, Seahawks and Cardinals), and eight games which could go either way.

I don't see a game on there they can't win.

Like I said, we'll do more detailed analysis over the next few days, but this is a winnable schedule for the Bears.

Detroit Lions

The schedule makers didn't do the Lions any favors.

Week 6 in Philly, the Bears the week after, the Packers in Week 11 followed by a short week for a Thanksgiving showdown against the Texans.

Meeting the Falcons at the end of the year right before the Bears to cap the season—when playoff berths could be on the line—is tough as well.

That said, they should get off to a good start in the opening four games before the bye, the toughest of which is the 49ers and all four of which are at home.

I see some tough games, but again, they should be in all of them if Stafford and the defense hold up. 

I can see them taking the same eight the Bears do. Philly, the Niners and the Texans are probably going to be the difference for them this year.

Green Bay Packers

I'm not sure who Green Bay paid off, but this is a good schedule. Five prime time games and a lot of home games down the stretch.

If they get out of the opening frame of 49ers, Bears, Saints (at home) and the Seahawks in Seattle in good shape, they will cruise through the meat of the schedule until the bye.

At a quick glance, I could honestly see them 9-0 or 7-2 at the bye week. It's a bit tough after the bye with the Lions twice and a trip to New York to take on the Giants, but ending the year against the Titans and Vikings is pretty sweet.

Minnesota Vikings

As much as I wonder who the Packers paid off, I have to wonder who the Vikings ticked off.

The Jags and Colts are nice games to kick things off, but five of the next eight are tough (I think the Redskins are going to be tough next year, go figure) though most of those are home.

There are, however, very winnable games across the board. Both the Colts and Jags, as I mentioned, as well as the Titans, Cardinals, Seahawks and Rams. If the Buccaneers keep going backwards, if the Skins keep imploding—this team can easily be 8-8 at the end of the season.

Plus, they play the Texans and Packers to end the year—can you say, spoiler?

Hmmm. Maybe they didn't tick anyone off after all.