Chicago Bears Insider: Looking at the Bears' 2011 Schedule Post Draft

Believe it or not, things can change for teams when they end up having a good or bad draft.  Take the Detroit Lions for instance.  Their drafting of defensive tackle Nick Fairley (to play alongside Ndamukong Suh) could make the Lions defensive line one of the best in the NFL and that alone could help them win more games.  The Packers added some depth at key positions and could overcome injuries much better. That equals more games won.

The Bears had a real nice draft at the top but left a lot of things to be desired with the rest of their picks.  Perhaps, they will get some contributions out of these players, and hopefully, they will help them win games in 2011 and beyond.

So now that the draft is over and we have at least a little bit better idea of what teams look like for the 2011 season (although it will never be complete until we have free agency or some kind of equivalent), let’s take a look at how the Bear’s schedule may shape up for the upcoming season.

September 11th-Atlanta at Chicago

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 18: Greg Olsen #82 of the Chicago Bears against Curtis Lofton #50 of the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 18, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Falcons gave a lot away to get wide receiver Julio Jones, so hopefully, they made the right choice, and he can contribute right away.  The Bears should still have the edge against the Falcons in this matchup as the game is at Soldier Field and the Bears pass rush will give quarterback Matt Ryan some problems.

Prediction: Chicago 24 Atlanta 20

September 18th-Chicago at New Orleans

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CHICAGO - DECEMBER 11: Lance Moore #16 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball against Tommie Harris #91 and Lance Briggs #55 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 11, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Saints are poised to come back strong in 2011, and the Bears may not have all the horses to contend with them in this game. 

This game will be played in New Orleans where the fanbase will make it very difficult for the Bears as well.  If Saint’s quarterback Drew Brees is on target, then they will win this game, but if the Bears have their offense going and Cutler has time to throw the ball, then there could be an upset.

Prediction: New Orleans 28 Chicago 21

September 25th-Green Bay at Chicago

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears looks over at Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers before the snap in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/G

This will be the first game of the season between these two teams, and it will be the first time that they have met since the Packers took the Bears out of Super Bowl contention in the NFC Championship game.  The Bears will have revenge on their minds, and they can come into this game and win it. 

Playing good and inspired football will get them past the Packers here on to a 2-1 record after the first three games of the season.

Prediction: Chicago 21 Green Bay 17

October 2nd-Carolina at Chicago

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 10: Offensive tackle Jordan Gross #69 of the Carolina Panthers blocks defensive end Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears at Bank of America Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Im

This will be the first time that the Bears play against their former player and defensive coordinator Ron Rivera with him as a head coach, and you can bet that both the Bears and the Panthers will be fired up to play this game. 

Expect the Panthers to still be in rebuilding mode for this game and not quite able to beat the Bears especially if their offense is on track and the offensive line is giving quarterback Jay Cutler some protection.

The Bears should be able to roll to a 3-1 record and keep their position in the NFC North strong.

Prediction: Chicago 28 Carolina 14

October 10th-Chicago at Detroit

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Earl Bennett #80 of the Chicago Bears catches a 12 yard pass for a first down as Louis Delmas #26 of the Detroit Lions makes the stop during the game at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears defeated the Lio

This game will be the first Monday night game in Detroit in a long time, and the Lions will be primed and ready to play this game.  The Lions really improved themselves in the draft, and if these new pieces are in place and working well by the time these two teams get together to play this game, then the Bears could be in trouble.  But there are other factors that could lead to a Lion’s win here (or loss), and a lot of what happens depends on whether or not often-injured quarterback Matthew Stafford is healthy.

The Bears will not sweep the Lions this year.  Look for the Lions to win this first game at home and serve notice that they will be a team to be reckoned with from now on.

Prediction: Detroit 24 Chicago 17

October 16th-Minnesota at Chicago

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 20: Johnny Knox #13 of the Chicago Bears scores a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium on December 20, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

It will be interesting to see just how the Vikings are handling their problems at the quarterback position by the time this game is played.  Will they have a free-agent quarterback on the team starting every game or will they be trusting in rookie Christian Ponder to run their offense?  Either way, this team can be considered to be in rebuilding mode in 2011, and the Bears should be able to beat them in this game and in the second game of the season.

Prediction: Chicago 28 Minnesota 17

October 23rd-Chicago vs. Tampa Bay (in England)

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 21: Jerramy Stevens #86 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball against Mike Brown #30 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 21, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. The Buccaneers won 27-24 in OT. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/

This game may get called off (in England at least) because of the lockout, but if it does go on, the Bears will be facing a formidable opponent that has improved and done a lot to improve themselves over the course of the past two seasons.

The Bears will have their hands full with this team.  Both the offensive and defensive lines on both sides are going to be the difference in this game as whichever of these units does the best their team will win the game.

Prediction: Chicago 31 Tampa Bay 24

November 7th-Chicago at Philadelphia

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs to avoid Anthony Adams #95 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Games between the Bears and Eagles are always good, and this should be yet another great contest featuring two of the NFC’s best teams at this point. 

The Eagles (barring any health issues) will have quarterback Michael Vick, and the Bears have been capable of containing him and not letting him beat them.  Hopefully, Chicago’s offense is clicking and is able to move the ball well at this point because if they are, they will win this game.

Prediction: Chicago 28 Philadelphia 21

November 13th-Detroit at Chicago

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Drew Stanton #5 of the Detroit Lions is sacked by D. J. Moore #30 of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter of the game at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears defeated the Lions 24-20. (Photo by Leon

The Bears and the upstart Detroit Lions will meet for the second time this season towards the middle of November.  In this scenario, the Lions have beaten the Bears already (in their first game), but they won’t beat the Bears a second time at home. 

Chicago’s experience and ability to play in the elements at this time of year (outside at Soldier Field) will help get them the win here and keep them driving towards the playoffs.

Prediction: Chicago 27 Detroit 20

November 20th San Diego at Chicago

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 14: Defensive end Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears battles offensive guard Tyronne Green #69 of the San Diego Chargers on August 14, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The question here is, which San Diego team will show up in Chicago for this game?  Will it be the one that typically starts out the season slow or will it be the one that finishes the season strong just barely missing the playoffs?

If tradition holds, the Chargers will be hard to stop, and unless the Bears are able to keep them at bay and stop what was last year’s No. 1 offense and defense, Chicago will come out with loss here.

Prediction: San Diego 28 Chicago 17

November 27th-Chicago at Oakland

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 21: Cory Graham #21 of the Chicago Bears tackles Louis Murphy #18 of the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Raiders defeated the Bears 32-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Get

Will the Raiders be a much better team in 2011 or will they take a step or two back because they are under the leadership of new head coach (remember that their new head coach, Hue Jackson was their offense coordinator last year so don’t expect a lot of change on the offensive side of the all)?  Let’s guess the latter and look for a Bear’s win here against the Raiders.

Prediction: Chicago 30 Oakland 21

December 4th-Kansas City at Chicago

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 7: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears carries the ball against Demorrio Williams #53 and Brandon Carr #39 of the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason game on August 7, 2008 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Da

The Chiefs did manage to improve themselves in the draft and will match up very well against the Bears in this early December game.  If the Chiefs still don’t have their passing game going strong, something that they didn’t have working well for them last year, then the Bears should be able to win this game by doing something that their defense does well, and that’s shutting down the run.

If Kansas City does have that passing game going, then it’s going to be a pretty tough game, but Chicago should be able to win this game and keep marching towards a playoff spot.

Prediction: Chicago 32 Kansas City 17

December 11th-Chicago at Denver

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DENVER - AUGUST 30: Offensive tackle Orlando Pace #76 of the Chicago Bears blocks against the rush of Elvis Dumervil #92 of the Denver Broncos during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 30, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Bears def

The Bears and the Broncos will meet for the first time in the regular season since they exchanged quarterbacks just a couple seasons ago.  Both teams are still trying to figure out which team got the better end of that deal, but for now, it appears as if the Bears have had more success since the trade, whereas the Broncos are back in rebuilding mode with a new head coach and maybe even a new quarterback.

Being stuck in rebuilding mode is going to give the Bears the win here and keep them driving towards the playoffs.

Prediction: Chicago 31 Denver 21

December 18th-Seattle at Chicago

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Kellen Davis #87 of the Chicago Bears flips over after making a catch against David Hawthorne #57 of the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter of the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chica

Will revenge be on the minds of the Seattle Seahawks as they meet the Bears for the first time since they lost to them in the playoffs last year, and Seattle will be out for revenge? 

But even revenge may not be enough for the Seahawks to come to Soldier Field and beat the Bears who should have, by the time that these two teams meet, either locked up a playoff spot or be in close contention for one.

Chicago won’t let the Seahawks beat them in this late season game and will keep their playoff hopes alive.

Prediction: Chicago 27 Seattle 17

December 25th-Chicago at Green Bay

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears looks on late in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

Which team’s fans will get a Christmas present?  Both teams expect to be gunning for the playoffs at this point in the season and the winner of this game could, at best, take the division or be able to secure a playoff spot.  The loser could even miss the playoffs.  This could be a huge game for both teams.

The Packers will be playing at home, and while the Bears have had some success against Green Bay at Lambeau Field in the recent past, the Packers will win this game and make the playoff race very interesting heading into the final week of the 2011 NFL season.

Prediction: Green Bay 20 Chicago 17

January 1st-Chicago at Minnesota

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Rashied Davis #81 of the Chicago Bears runs after a catch pursued by Lito Sheppard #29 of the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

This last game of the season will be a NFC North contest putting the Bears against what should be the rebuilding Vikings.  This game could be huge for the Bears as they could either be on the verge of making the playoffs and/or winning the NFC North.  The game will be played in Minnesota and the Vikings have been tough to beat there but consider it a down year for the Vikings and give the Bears a win here.

Prediction: Chicago 24 Minnesota 10

The Final Word

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is hit by Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears in the helmet as Peppers was called for a personal foul in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field

In this scenario, the Bears go 11-5 and would make the playoffs.  Granted, it’s the same record that they had last year, and this year’s schedule is going to be tougher, but with the right mix of players and some additional moves in free agency, if that is possible, this team should be able to win and get back into the playoffs again in 2011.