The NFL schedule was released tonight, and the Bears will be part of your night time plans this fall. Despite not making the playoffs last season, the Bears are being rewarded with five primetime games this season. This will give the Bears' shiny new quarterback, Jay Cutler, many chances to shine. (Read the complete schedule here.)
The Bears start the season on a Sunday night in Green Bay for Football Night in America on NBC, and then will end the season on with a divisional foe, the Lions, as well. In between, they play a home and away with every NFC North team, and will also face the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team will also face Ohio teams twice in a row, playing the Bengals in week seven, and the Browns in week eight. They will also again have a Thursday night game, on November 12 in San Francisco.
Some key dates to circle on your calendar are September 20, when the Steelers come to town, October 18, for a Sunday night game at Atlanta, and November 8, when the defending NFC champions, the Arizona Cardinals, hit Soldier Field. Both match-ups with the Vikings, in Minnesota on November 29, and at home for Monday night football on December 28, will be key match-ups for the Bears. Even when you throw out the likely playoff implications, these games will have drama as the Vikings' Jared Allen has already said he can't wait to come after Cutler. Also, if you need to get married or have any personal business to take care of on a weekend, schedule it for October 11, the Bears' bye week.
Bears Hope the Night Time is the Right Time
Chicago will play five times in primetime and face both the Steelers and Cardinals.
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