The Chicago Bears 2022 schedule isn’t officially out yet, but reliable sources have already leaked it to the public. Danny Parkins of 670 The Score deserves most of the credit as he unveiled most of the games. Initial impressions are the Bears were given fair treatment. No stretches of their schedule seem rigged against them, and they have a refreshing lower number of primetime games than usual.
That should make the experience easier to digest, presuming the team is close to what they were last season. They also won’t have a bye until Week 14. So it will be a string of Bears games every week for over three solid months. Not something fans are used to. While actual times for games aren’t determined yet, the schedule seems in place. So it is time to run through it and predict how the Bears do.
Chicago Bears 2022 schedule will be frustrating but fun
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Week 1: vs. 49ers – Loss
Undoubtedly, memories of their frustrating loss to San Francisco last year will be fresh in the Bears’ minds. Justin Fields played one of his best games of the season against them and has a chance to improve on that in a more cohesive offense. Unfortunately, the 49ers are still the better team from a talent perspective.
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Week 2: at Packers (SNF) – Loss
It’s the same story every year. The Bears go into Lambeau Field on primetime, play a competitive game, but inevitably fall short against Aaron Rodgers again. There is no reason to think it will be any different this year. Green Bay still has the quarterback advantage and mental superiority. They neither fear nor respect this team.
Week 3: vs. Texans – Win
Lovie Smith getting the head coaching job in Houston is a great story. Few coaches ever get two bites at the apple, let alone three. He should be good for that team in the long run, but his track record says the Texans will struggle in the early going. This feels like that game where the Bears finally pull themselves together to get in the win column.
Week 4: at Giants – Win
It looks like the Giants had a solid offseason as their new regime, led by head coach Brian Daboll is aiming to turn around a struggling franchise. The problem is they still have Daniel Jones at quarterback, and he has looked rough since his second year. Chicago has had their number in recent years and can use that to their advantage.
Week 5: at Vikings – Loss
Another team that completely revamped its power structure. While Kevin O’Connell is an unknown commodity, he still inherits a decent roster on both sides of the ball. Minnesota swept the Bears last season, and nothing has changed over the past few months to make one think the momentum has suddenly shifted.
Week 6: vs. Commanders (TNF) – Win
Washington believes they’ve upgraded at quarterback with Carson Wentz. History shows they’re going to be disappointed. He’s always been turnover-prone, and the Chicago Bears have a pass rush capable of making him uncomfortable. Not to mention Eberflus knows him well from their brief time together in Indianapolis.
Week 7: at Patriots (MNF) – Loss
It is hard to say what impact losing Josh McDaniels will have on Mac Jones for New England, but Bill Belichick is still one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. He also still has a great defense that figures to make life tough for Fields. This could be a game decided by turnovers, which doesn’t favor the Bears.
Week 8: at Cowboys – Loss
This is another case of the other team simply being more talented. Dallas has a strong, balanced offense led by Dak Prescott and a defense that suddenly has a lot more bite after the ascent of Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs. The Cowboys aren’t unbeatable but this will be a game where points must be scored to win. This team isn’t there yet.
Week 9: vs. Dolphins – Win
Miami has made much of their big off-season acquisitions like Tyreek Hill and Terron Armstead. Unfortunately, they still have Tua Tagovailoa as their quarterback. With all due respect, he is not somebody the Chicago Bears have any reason to fear. If they can put him under consistent pressure, he will fold. It happens every time.
Week 10: vs. Lions – Win
Admittedly Detroit did have a solid NFL draft weekend with their top two picks. Their roster appears better than it was last year. Sadly, it doesn’t change the fact Jared Goff is their QB. He’s average at best. If Fields plays anywhere close to how he did the last time he saw the Lions at Soldier Field, the Bears will win this game.
Week 11: at Falcons – Win
This is another team square in the middle of a rebuild. Matt Ryan is gone. Their once-loaded receiving corps is trying to retool around incoming rookie Drake London. Marcus Mariota is the guy at quarterback. His inconsistency is well-documented, and the last two times he saw an Eberflus defense, it wasn’t pretty.
Week 12: at Jets – Win
Plenty of people are hyping up the Jets as the sleeper team to watch after their productive draft weekend. This may be true, but it’s also possible the Jets will remain the Jets. They haven’t been a good team for a long time and their QB Zach Wilson was even rougher than Fields last season. Until proven otherwise, this is a should-win game.
Week 13: vs. Packers – Loss
Look, facts are facts. Until the Bears can prove able to beat the Packers in a game, it is wise to project every future matchup as a loss. The last time they beat Rodgers was in 2018, and they’ve only done it twice since 2011. He does not fear playing in Chicago. No amount of homefield advantage will stop the inevitable from happening.
Week 14: BYE
Week 15: vs. Eagles – Loss
I’ll be the first to say the Jalen Hurts mania is a bit much. He is not anywhere close to an elite quarterback. That said, the Eagles have built a really good roster around him. They’re considerably stronger in the trenches than the Bears are at this point. Expect that to be the critical difference in the game when Philly walks out with a win.
Week 16: vs. Bills – Loss
Don’t expect a miracle on Christmas eve. There is a strong argument that Buffalo is the favorite to win the AFC this year. Josh Allen is a superstar quarterback in his prime, and the team has done a great job fortifying their defense this offseason. It would be stunning if they didn’t blow the Bears out, let alone lose to them.
Week 17: at Lions – Loss
The Chicago Bears may have pulled out of a brutal losing streak just in time back in 2020 but don’t expect that to happen here. Losing three in a row after supposedly saving their season will be a gut punch in every sense. That will make for a perfect opportunity for Detroit to get their revenge from November.
Week 18: vs. Vikings – Win
The Bears won’t have to play the finale in Minnesota in a refreshing twist. They’ll be able to wrap up 2022 at home against the Vikings. Expect them to come out with plenty of spirit, aiming to build momentum for 2023. Minnesota will be too busy lamenting how they once again let a hopeful playoff push slip through their fingers.
