Chicago Bears 2023 Schedule: Predictions for every game

The 2023 NFL schedule has officially been released, and it appears the schedule makers have a lot of faith in Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears making huge strides this year. They play in four primetime games, along with some late-season matchups that have the potential to be flexed into primetime if there are playoff implications.

The season is still a long way away, so let’s go through the schedule week by week for an early record prediction. These predictions are based on the assumption that Justin Fields takes another step forward in Luke Getsy’s offense. I think he’ll play at a Pro Bowl level, and the defense will improve from last year, even if it ends up just an average group.

Without further ado, onto the predictions.

Week 1: Bears vs. Packers

A new era begins in the Bears-Packers rivalry. With a massively upgraded roster and a second year in the same system, Justin Fields should have little problem dissecting an underwhelming Packers defensive unit led by coordinator Joe Barry. In contrast, I expect Jordan Love to struggle with the pressure of facing a division rival on the road as the undisputed QB1 of the Packers, especially with little proven talent around him. The Bears get a huge opening-day win.

Record: 1-0

Week 2: Bears at Buccaneers

Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are dominant receivers, but who’s throwing them the ball? It’s a good rule of thumb to look at a team’s quarterback to decide a winner in close games, and in this case, it’s Fields vs Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask, or John Wolford. I don’t think I need to say much else. Bears win.

Record: 2-0

Week 3: Bears at Chiefs

After a nice 2-0 start, the Bears run into a buzzsaw. The Bears simply aren’t on the Chiefs’ level. The defending champs get the win in what should be a good, competitive game, and Fields will make a good showing on the same field as the reigning MVP, Patrick Mahomes.

Record: 2-1

Week 4: Bears vs. Broncos

How much of the disastrous 2022 Broncos was the fault of ex-head coach Nathaniel Hackett? Probably a lot. This game will be tough, going against what should be a revitalized Russell Wilson and a dominant defense, and even with home-field advantage, I think the Bears will fall short.

Record: 2-2

Week 5: Bears at Commanders (Thursday Night)

I find it odd that the NFL scheduled the same two teams for a TNF game in the same week as last year. Unlike last year, this won’t be a 12-7 snooze-fest. The Commanders are turning to 2022 5th-round draft pick Sam Howell as their quarterback this season and haven’t done much on offense to help him. The Bears get a revenge win, and they won’t need last-minute heroics from Fields this time.

Record: 3-2

Week 6: Bears vs. Vikings

In the Bears’ first meeting with the Vikings last year, Fields led a furious second-half comeback and nearly completed it, but a phantom penalty and a mind-boggling decision by a receiver to stay inbounds on the final drive ruined it. The Vikings are due for a major regression to the mean after going 11-0 in one-score games last season, while the Bears have improved almost everywhere. Chicago gets the win here.

Record: 4-2

Week 7: Bears vs. Raiders

There are high hopes for the Raiders going into 2023, but moving from Derek Carr to Jimmy Garoppolo will be a downgrade. They lost Darren Waller, too, though they did draft the best tight end this year in Michael Mayer. Still, this roster isn’t trustworthy. Make it three straight wins for Chicago.

Record: 5-2

Week 8: Bears at Chargers (Sunday Night)

Justin Herbert vs. Justin Fields (the battle of the Justins) should is must-see TV. This should be a high-scoring affair, with the winner likely coming down to the better defense. For now, that’s the Chargers, assuming Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa stay healthy.

Record: 5-3

Week 9: Bears at Saints

Despite adding Derek Carr and some promising rookies, the Saints still have a long way to go in their rebuild. New Orleans has a good defense, too, but I don’t think it will be good enough to slow Fields and the revamped Bears offense at this point in the season. Chicago should be clicking on all cylinders. They get the “W.”

Record: 6-3

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Week 10: Bears vs. Panthers (Thursday night)

This game would have a lot more intrigue if it were earlier in the schedule, given the trade between the two teams this offseason. As it is, quarterback Bryce Young will likely struggle his rookie year, and there’s not much playmaking ability on the offense around him. Another year might change things, but in 2023, I think Chicago will defeat Carolina with relative ease.

Record: 7-3

Week 11: Bears at Lions

The first true battle for the future of the NFC North will take place in Week 11. The Lions and Bears are in an arms race for the division crown, while the Packers and Vikings have already peaked. This should be a high-scoring shootout, with the winner determined by whoever has the ball last. At a rowdy Ford Field, I’ll give the edge to Detroit.

Record: 7-4

Week 12: Bears at Vikings (Monday night)

It’s never easy playing in a division rival’s stadium. Just like their Week 6 matchup, expect these two teams to dazzle with the passing game and put up points in bunches while the defensive units remain average at best. Unfortunately, the Bears don’t yet have the talent to sweep the Vikings, so I have them losing this one, their second in a row, and ending the season 2-2 on primetime.

Record: 7-5

Week 13: BYE

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Week 14: Bears vs Lions

The Bears should be rested for a playoff push after a bye week. Last year’s home game against Detroit was a missed extra point and a horrendous phantom penalty away from being a comfortable win for the Bears, so I’m giving Chicago the win in what could be a critical NFC North matchup.

Record: 8-5

Week 15: Bears at Browns

This is one of the most difficult games to predict because it depends entirely on Deshaun Watson. He looked awful last season. He may never get back to form, which is the direction I’m leaning toward for his 2023 season. Bears win in Cleveland, and Fields exacts revenge for the nine-sack disaster he suffered there as a rookie.

Record: 9-5

Week 16: Bears vs Cardinals

If this game came earlier in the season, it’d be a comfortable win. But Kyler Murray should be back by this point, and the Cardinals will be better than most people think. Here in Week 16, I think they escape Soldier Field with a win after a closer-than-expected contest.

Record: 9-6

Week 17: Bears vs. Falcons

The Falcons’ rushing game will arguably be the best in the league after drafting Bijan Robinson, and I suspect it will give Chicago absolute fits in the season’s penultimate game. The run defense should be improved from last season, but not by much. Regardless, I have to choose the better quarterback, and that’s Fields by a comfortable margin. The Bears win their final home game of the regular season.

Record: 10-6

Week 18: Bears at Packers

Capping off a wildly successful season, the Bears enter Lambeau Field with a chance to clinch the division, and, yep… they do it. Fields wins his second showdown with Love, and it won’t be particularly close. The Bears claim their first division crown since 2018 when they defeated the Packers to clinch the division.

It’s only May, and I know much will change between now and the start of the 2023 season. But my final way-too-early prediction has the Chicago Bears finishing 11-6 and becoming NFC North champions. Life after Aaron Rodgers feels really, really good.

Final record: 11-6 (6-2 home, 5-4 away)