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2021 Chicago Bears Schedule: Full Listing of Dates, Times and TV Info
May 12, 2021
The Chicago Bears found their quarterback in an eyebrow-raising move, signing Andy Dalton to start over Nick Foles in 2021. Then, they allowed the city to collectively take a deep breath when they traded up in the NFL draft to select Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields at No. 11.
All eyes will be on the situation under center when Chicago starts the season, but the Bears shouldn't be counted out solely on their quarterback room. That being said, Dalton and Fields will be welcomed into the Windy City with one of the most difficult slates in the league.
Here's what awaits the Bears in 2021.
Analysis
Post-draft FanDuel odds gave the Bears a +4800 chance to win the Super Bowl this season (bet $100 to win $4,800), and while that wasn't the worst chance in the league (an honor that goes to the Detroit Lions at +15000), the books were less friendly when it came to the team's win total.
Per Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports Chicago, PointsBet gave the Bears an over/under win total line of seven in 2021. Looking at the schedule, it's not hard to understand why Chicago is predicted to win a game less than it did in 2020, even with an extra chance to do so (though the Bears reportedly voted against the schedule expansion).
The Bears will play eight games against teams that had winning records in 2020, and while that is less than half of their games, they won't necessarily get teams that just slipped over .500. In addition to two regular NFC North matchups against the Green Bay Packers, Chicago will also visit the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers will also be difficult road matchups.
It won't be an easy schedule for the Bears in 2021.
Key Matchups
The Bears were blown out twice by the Packers in 2020, and that's unlikely to change this year.
Green Bay elected to re-sign running back Aaron Jones to keep him in an offense that also boasts quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams. And if the offensive star power wasn't enough, it also hired Joe Barry as defensive coordinator.
It's likely the Packers will manhandle the NFC North again, but the Minnesota Vikings are more of a toss-up. They finished a lick behind the Bears at 7-9 in 2020 but suffered some notable departures in free agency, with Anthony Harris and Ifeadi Odenigbo moving on. Kyle Rudolph and Anthony Harris also are headed to new teams.
Still, the Vikings made significant additions in defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and cornerback Patrick Peterson, and they should still present a challenge for the Bears.
For all the latest betting information and reaction, check out B/R Betting.
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