Bears 2024 NFL schedule breakdown: Ranking five must-see matchups, game-by-game predictions, opponents

The Chicago Bears have plenty of reasons to be excited about the 2024 NFL season. Having franchise quarterback Caleb Williams in his rookie season helps; does television engagements in Chicago every week.

Williams is trying to end the cursed franchise quarterback drought. Remember, no Bears quarterback has thrown for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in a season. Williams has a chance to accomplish that with his trio of wide receivers, rookie Rome Odunze and veterans Keenan Allen and DJ Moore. It will be intriguing to watch the development of the Bears’ offense throughout the season, along with Williams’ growth as a defender.

Oh, and the defense is also pretty solid.

Complete 2024 Bears Schedule

*All Eastern times

Key observations from the schedule

• The first nine games are all against non-division opponents, the longest stretch in franchise history before facing a division opponent.
• Three consecutive road games from Weeks 11 through 13, one of four NFL teams have three consecutive away games.
• Open the season against three consecutive AFC teams for the first time since 1999.
• Play the Lions on Thanksgiving for the fourth time in seven years, part of the game against three separate division opponents in a 12-day span. This is the first time the franchise has done this since the merger.
• Throw in the season finale against the Packers for the second year in a row, the first time in franchise history that’s happened.
• He is not scheduled to play the Packers in prime time for the first time since 2006.

Five unmissable games

5. vs. Titans (Week 1): Caleb Williams makes his debut as the Bears’ franchise quarterback, beginning a new era in Chicago. Rome Odunze is another reason this franchise is also excited, as Williams can pitch to Odunze, Keenan Allen and DJ Moore.

4. in Commanders (Week 8): Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels will face each other for the first time, as the top two draft picks (both quarterbacks) will meet for the sixth time in NFL history.

3. to 49ers (Week 14): The Bears have a 10-day break before facing the defending NFC champions in a late afternoon showdown. This will be a good test to see where the young Bears stack up against the best in the NFC.

2. at Texans (Week 2): Caleb Williams vs. CJ Stroud on “Sunday Night Football” in the second game of the season? This is a fun early season matchup between two young defenders.

1. at Lions (Week 13): The early Thanksgiving afternoon showdown in Detroit is always fun, especially as Williams and the Bears face the defending NFC North champions for the first time this season. Williams has a chance to make a statement on the national stage, the fourth time the Bears have faced the Lions on Thanksgiving in the last seven years.

Game-by-game predictions

Here’s a quick game-by-game prediction with a brief thematic reasoning from Caleb Williams behind the prediction:

• Week 1 (vs. Titans): Win – Williams has a big day against a revamped Titans team, giving Chicago fans hope for the future. (1-0)
• Week 2 (at Texans): Loss – Beating Houston away from home is difficult for a young team. This is a big test at the start of the season. (1-1)
• Week 3 (at Colts): Loss – The Colts defense will test Williams, who will face a lot of pressure. It will be necessary to make plays outside the pocket. (1-2)
• Week 4 (vs. Rams): Loss – Williams should throw for a lot of yards in this one, but can the Bears defense contain Kyren Williams? (1-3)
• Week 5 (vs. Panthers): Win – There’s no reason the Bears offense can’t score 30+ points in this one. (2-3)
• Week 6 (vs. Jaguares): Loss – The Jaguars are more prepared to play abroad. Williams will be under a lot of pressure again. (2-4)
• Week 8 (in Commanders): Win – Williams has something to prove against Jaylen Daniels, making plays for Odunze against a running secondary. (3-4)
• Week 9 (at Cardinals): Win – The Bears gain momentum against another defense that their offense is expected to score a lot of points against. (4-4)
• Week 10 (vs. Patriots): Win – Williams gets the better of Drake Maye in what is expected to be a long season for the Patriots. (5-4)
• Week 11 (vs. Packers): Loss – The Packers will have a lot of film on Williams at this point. He will play well, but the defense has a break against Jordan Love. (5-5)
• Week 12 (vs. Vikings): Win – Williams gets the better of another aggressive Minnesota defense. He will also surpass JJ McCarthy. (6-5).
• Week 13 (at Lions): Loss – The Lions will make a statement on Thanksgiving. Williams will look to make his mark on penalties. (6-6).
• Week 14 (at age 49): Loss – The Bears are still not at the 49ers level, even with 10 days off. (6-7)
• Week 15 (on Vikings): Victory – In a game the Bears needed, Williams shows why the future is in good hands. (7-7)
• Week 16 (vs. Lions): Loss – On a cold day in Chicago, the Lions flex their muscles as one of the best in the NFC. (7-8)
• Week 17 (vs. Seahawks): Win – Williams has a big day against a Seahawks secondary as the Bears remain in contention for the playoffs. (8-8).
• Week 18 (at Packers): Loss – Needing a win, the Packers continue to dominate the Bears. (8-9).