2016 Chicago Bears Schedule: Full Listing of Dates, Times and TV Info

After the team finished 6-10 a year ago, Chicago Bears fans will be expecting more in 2016 as the team looks to end its five-year playoff drought. 

This year could be particularly critical for both head coach John Fox and general manager Ryan Pace after all the moves the Bears have made in the offseason. If Chicago fails to take a step forward, the Chicago Tribune's Rich Campbell wonders if the natives might grow restless:  

The Bears will look different on offense, having traded tight end Martellus Bennett and let running back Matt Forte walk in free agency. They added linebackers Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman and defensive end Akiem Hicks to bolster the defense.

"Their vision is very clear," said tight end Zach Miller, who re-signed with the team, per Chris Emma of CBS Chicago. "The goal in mind is definitely to win a championship here. That’s something I want to be a part of."

Considering the overall strength of the NFC North, the playoffs might be an unrealistic requirement for Fox and Pace. Chicago hasn't had a winning season since 2012, though, and should that streak grow to four years, one of Pace or Fox could be on the hot seat.

Here's a look at the Bears' complete schedule for the regular season.

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	TV Info
1	Sep 11	at Texans	1 p.m.	Fox
2	Sep 19	Eagles	8:30 pm	ESPN
3	Sep 25	at Cowboys	8:30 pm	NBC
4	Oct 2	Lions	1 p.m.	Fox
5	Oct 9	at Colts	1 p.m.	Fox
6	Oct 16	Jaguars	1 p.m.	CBS
7	Oct 20	at Packers	8:25 p.m.	CBS/NFL Network
8	Oct 31	Vikings	8:30 p.m.	ESPN
9			Bye Week
10	Nov 13	at Buccaneers	1 p.m.	Fox
11	Nov 20	at Giants	1 p.m.	Fox
12	Nov 27	Titans	1 p.m.	CBS
13	Dec 4	49ers	1 p.m.	Fox
14	Dec 11	at Lions	1 p.m.	Fox
15	Dec 18	Packers	1 p.m.	Fox
16	Dec 24	Redskins	1 p.m.	Fox
17	Jan 1	at Vikings	1 p.m.	Fox

Analysis

The Bears couldn't have hoped for an easier ride with regard to their schedule; relatively speaking, it's one of the easiest in the league.

Games within the division will be tough. The Green Bay Packers should be among the NFL's best teams, and the Minnesota Vikings took big steps forward in head coach Mike Zimmer's second season. The Detroit Lions, on the other hand, have to fill the absence left by receiver Calvin Johnson. Their general inconsistency from season to season makes them a wild card.

Outside the division, Chicago's schedule is favorable. The NFC North was drawn against the AFC South, which was a complete tire fire last year. The Bears play the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts—the division's two toughest teams—on the road, though. Still, they and their division counterparts received the luck of the draw.

Road games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants could be tricky, especially in the case of the latter after it strengthened a few of its weaknesses in free agency.

All things considered, the schedule is shaping up well for the Bears to turn things around in 2016.

Pivotal Matchups

Washington Redskins

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Even though Ben McAdoo is entering his first year as head coach, the Giants look to be the strongest team in the NFC East. New York should be much-improved defensively after signing Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison and Janoris Jenkins.

As a result, the Washington Redskins might struggle to match last year's division title. Washington and Chicago might both find themselves in the NFC Wild Card hunt. Should that prove to be the case, their matchup against the Redskins will carry added significance.

In 2012, the Bears were 8-3 following a Week 12 win over the Vikings. Then, they lost three games in a row to Minnesota, Green Bay and the Seattle Seahawks. Each of that trio made the playoffs, with the Vikings and Seahawks taking the NFC's two wild-card spots.

Chicago's clash with Washington could have playoff implications, so a loss could leave a major impact on the Bears' season.

Jacksonville Jaguars; Tennessee Titans 

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

The Bears' NFC North matchups will obviously carry the most weight for the team in 2016. With that said, if Chicago does envision playoff contention, then it can't afford to drop two of the easier games on its schedule.

The Titans remain a work in progress, while the Jaguars' spending this offseason won't guarantee they become a winner. The Miami Dolphins are evidence to the fact NFL teams can't buy success in free agency.

The Bears play the Packers and Vikings each twice, and they have the Colts and Dallas Cowboys on the road. Losing to Jacksonville and Tennessee wouldn't wreck Chicago's postseason chances, but it would leave the margin for error smaller going forward.