Highlights of the Bears' 2009 NFL Schedule
Cutler, Easy Schedule Will Give Chicago Fans Super Bowl Fever
Cutler joined Chicago after forcing a trade from the Denver Broncos in a messy NFL divorce and immediately told reporters he didn't see himself as a savior. Coming off a Pro Bowl season and with much to prove, you can expect Cutler to be up to the challenge – especially if someone puts up a dartboard poster of Broncos coach Josh McDaniel in Cutler’s locker. The only thing that would have been more fun in this schedule would have been a Bears-Broncos matchup, but alas it did not happen.
Some highlights of the Bears’ 2009 NFL schedule:
1. Strength of Schedule Says Bears Have Easiest Road
Preview:Based on 2008 records, Bears’ opponents had a .412 winning percentage, the lowest in the league, and the Bears open on Sept. 13 with a prime-time visit to division-rival Green Bay at Lambeau Field for Cutler’s debut in a Bears uniform.
2. Defending Champs Come to Chicago
Preview:The Pittsburgh Steelers visit Chicago on Sept. 20 in Cutler’s home debut. The defending Super Bowl champions open on a Thursday night, giving them extra prep time for that matchup.
3. Five Prime-Time Telecasts for Cutler, Bears
Preview:Following the season opener in prime time, the Bears have four more: at Atlanta on Oct. 18 at 8:20 p.m. on NBC, at San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 13 on the NFL Network, at home against Philadelphia at 8:20 p.m. on NBC and their only Monday Night Football visit, Dec. 28 at home against Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings. Peterson carved up the Bears for 224 yards rushing and 361 all-purpose yards in one 2007 game, and he gained 252 rushing yards combined in two games last season.
4. Black and Blue Division Seems to be More Pastel
Preview: More on the strength of schedule. The NFC North, including the Bears, Vikings, Lions and Packers have the easiest schedules. The Bears, Vikings and Packers all are among the four easiest schedules based on 2008 results.
5. One Loss the Bears Will Most Certainly Remember
Preview:No doubt Chicago will be ripped and ready on Oct. 18 when the Bears visit the Atlanta Falcons for a prime-time matchup on NBC. Last season, the Bears rallied to take a late lead in the Georgia Dome only to see rookie quarterback Matt Ryan complete an improbable pass to set up a game-winning field goal. It was one of the games that helped cement Ryan as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. This time around should be another tremendous battle
6. Ease of Use of NFL Schedule in the Windy City
Preview:The Bears do get some layups: Division-rival Detroit, rebuilding after an 0-16 season, are on the schedule twice. Chicago also get three other rebuilding opponents: St. Louis and Cleveland at home and San Francisco on the road. All five games should be relatively easy victories.
7. An Almost Super Bowl Champion to Visit
Preview: While the Bears get the Super Bowl champ Steelers in Week 2, they also get a visit from the Arizona Cardinals who can still smell the whiff of victory that was taken away by Pittsburgh on the game-winning drive in the Super Bowl. The Cardinals visit Nov. 8.
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